I NEED A HIRO

Land-based sensei HIROAKI NAKAMURA shares his hard-won knowledge on catching the mighty barramundi without a boat

The wind operates powerfully on landbased barramundi fishing, both for good and evil.

I went to Mindil Beach to fish on Sunday afternoon. It was very windy. The sea was wavy. The height of those waves was all I could see from the shore.

I thought the hopes of catching a barramundi were slim.

I wanted to catch one but, as predicted, found it was difficult.

When I am in such trouble and need a good lure, I use a Squidgies Fish. It is a lure I can rely on when the barramundi do not bite.

As a result of using this lure, I caught a very small barramundi (above).

When it became Tuesday afternoon, the sea was only slightly wavy. So I went fishing at East Point after work. The sun was quickly sinking.

I used a Zerek Live Shrimp 127mm and attracted barramundi by properly adjusting the winding speed fitting to the conditions of the actual fishing spot.

There were big rocks covered with oysters in the water. I caught a 53cm barramundi (below). I tried to protect my fishing line from being broken when dragged rapidly by the nice-sized barramundi. The Jagla setting did good work again. It seems my fishing was up to the wind conditions after all.

THE LOWDOWN

Zerek Live Shrimp with the Jagla setting Size: 127mm Where: Shallow water 30-50cm Water: Very clear and cold outgoing Line: Fins 30lb Leader line: Sunline FC Rock Fluorocarbon 40lb Knot: The Slim Beauty Reel: Shimano Scorpion 1500XT Rod: St. Croix Triumph TRC60MF 6’ Medium Power Fast Action 10-17LB 1/43/4oz. Clip: Force 10 Stainless Duo Lock Snaps #3 W-hook: Owner Cultiva Stinger Double Hook SD-36 #4 Action: Steady retrieving