It seems we’ve now settled into the more-typical weather pattern for late October: north to north-westerly winds at around 15-20km/h, with days of hardly any wind at all.
This is the classic Build-up season scenario, and it is often punctuated with afternoon scattered storms and both thunder and lightning.
I regard this time of year as a premium fishing period because everything seems to work in favour of good fishing.
The inland billabongs invariably fish well with the hotter water temperatures and those landlocked barras’ anticipation of heavy rain and flooding to come.
This is particularly so at night when the big billabong girls come out to play.
Around the coastal estuaries and river mouths, barra have been congregating to breed.
Once again, this is systematic of increasing water temperatures and barra hot to trot.
Especially on neap tides when coastal waters have the best clarity, some terrific barra get caught, and in fact are getting caught.
Bear in mind though that the Daly River from Moon Billabong access down to, and well out into, Anson Bay is closed to fishing from 1 October until the following 1 February.
The bluewater scene is also at peak levels at this time of year, mainly due to the availability of glass-out days and thus the ability to travel far and wide.
Although pelagic fishing for Spanish mackerel and other species is usually best during the dry season, access to this great Top End fishing resource is often handicapped by strong winds and rough water.
Conversely, during the Build-up, there are wonderful calm-water opportunities out on the blue.
This also makes it easier to find fish by the tell-tale frenetic actions of seagoing terns feeding on bait schools; not to mention the commotion of tuna, mackerel and big trevally busting out as they gorge themselves on the small fry.
October is also a renowned billfish month, once again in no small part due to the fine weather and the ability to “sight” fish.
And what about reef fishing?
Great catches of Top End reef fish are available during the milder Build-up months.
On that note, reports have been endless of terrific golden snapper and jewie fishing along the Dundee coast down to the Peron Islands.
Of course, strict bag limits for both reefies and mackerel must be adhered to. Clearly, the options are endless for great fishing at this time of year.
On a different but fairly common note of late, what the hell is going on with all these red-tagged barra being caught?
Just when you thought a record 11 recaptures were made in just the first three weeks, number 12 gets caught, and where else but at the Daly River.
The lucky angler is none other than “Mr Land-based Fishing Legend”, George Voukolos Junior.
Not to be confused with his famous uncle of the same name who owns Fishing and Outdoor World, this is the second 10K barra that GV Junior has caught, the first way back in Million Dollar Fish seasons one or two.
For the record, I’m writing today’s column to meet the Tuesday COB deadline, and George texted me that he caught his fish last night (Monday), so it’s possible that the recapture tag is worth $1 million!
George said: “Daly last night, I got 14 barra, all in the 75s and 80s, but no metrey this time.
“Finally number 6 red tag and I think it’s legal.
“I’ll let you know the details later Alex,” George signed off.
George, by the way, has caught 10 metreys this year, and 390 all up.
That’s simply awesome, but even more so when you consider that every one of those big girls was caught land-based.
George sure has had a lot of fun over the years.
Including this 117cm model, George Voukolos Junior has caught 10 metrey barra just this year and 390 all up.
Will Knowles – pictured with his dad Bill – caught his 102cm barra on his first day fishing at the Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge. The top guide was Trevor Robb.
