Alex's Column 29 January 2026

Most Darwin anglers would be pleased with all the rain we’ve had this last few weeks.

Everything is pointing to a great wet season and subsequent Runoff.

Notwithstanding, there might be a window of fishing opportunity this weekend.

By my reading, the heavy monsoonal rain is forecast to be over by then, and there won’t be as much wind about.

The tides will be moving into the springs, so both Darwin and Bynoe Harbours will be worth investigating for a feed of saltwater barra.

Sunday’s 1.2m tide at midday is a beauty, especially as it’s the day before the full moon.

Fishing offshore is also a definite possibility.

Before all the heavy rainfall, golden snapper and black jew were biting on the inshore coastal reefs between Darwin and the Peron Islands.

On the inland barra scene, on these tides, I’d suggest either the South Alligator River.

If you’re heading upriver on the South, you’re likely to encounter that exotic floating weed Salvinia, either coming down from the top of the river or from Nourlangie Creek.

It’s imperative then that you check your trailer before departing the boat ramp carpark, and don’t drive off with any salvinia under your boat.

The best fishing on the South has been downstream but all this rain we’ve received could spark some real action at feeder creek colour changes up the river, particularly around the bottom half of the tide.

Mind you, there’ll be no shortage of sweet-coloured water coming out of the big creeks downstream.

Of course, you’ll have to be mindful of the shallow mud bars on your way down.

The tide will be coming in on both Saturday and Sunday early mornings so, if you land on the mud, you’ll be floating again within minutes.

Ideally, you should plot a trail on your way down so you can follow it coming back up the river.

If you intend overnighting in your boat, it’s probably best to park up inside one of the bigger creeks around the river mouth.

You don’t want to be caught out in the open at night when a squall comes through.

Speaking of squalls, let me tell you about a recent trip to the Adelaide River.

Mates and I were heading to a “secret spot” inside one of the Adelaide’s bigger creeks.

At the right time, there’s a good colour change, lots of bait, and busting barras… we’ve all got secret spots like that.

In year’s past, we’ve caught cricket-score numbers of barra at this spot.

However, it was a bit of a gamble with the weather because the monsoon was in full swing, but I was keen to have a fish.

Well, I couldn’t believe the amount of fresh up the creek; potential feeder creeks were actually backing up.

All we managed to catch were some rats in snags in the main river.

However, I class the day as a winner anyway because we did not get one skerrick of rain in the boat.

By 2pm, the sky was literally exploding with huge, rolling, black and grey storms.

Practically all around us there were suburban-block-sized sheets of blinding rain, while loud rumbling thunder echoed through the storms, and threatening lightning bolts were flashing far too often.

It was time to skedaddle, and somehow we avoided the maelstrom.

Ironically, on the drive home, we were clobbered by lots of rain, but that was good because it washed the boat and Cruiser.

Olivia Foster was delighted with her silver barra which was caught on the Panic Stations Mullet.

The Panic Stations Mullet also accounted for this terrific metery caught by Nathan Corpus.