So much has been written in recent years about the excitement to be had pursuing our tropical sports fish that we can add little to the body of knowledge already available. With such abundance at hand, the least of our visitors troubles will be catching fish. The greatest challenge you will have is deciding what fish you would like to sample for you evenings dining.

The Barramundi is the Icon fish of the tropics, and our population of Barramundi is spectacular. In season, fish well over a metre are regular captures, and the barra is so prolific it can be targeted in various parts of our system all year round.

Tangling with the mighty Queenfish can be a memorable experience. Arguably the fastest of our commonly caught species, the Queenfish, or Skinny as it is known locally, takes flies and lures readily, and always provides a great fight, with spectacular jumps and powerful runs. They are a particularly renowned species on fly, and are commonly taken from around snags rock bars and out on the Bluewater. Sometimes they can be seen schooling up smaller baitfish, and catches of 30 or 40 per hour are not uncommon. Occasionally you will tangle with big fish, that also tend to congregate in schools. These can grow as big as 1.5 metres, and are worthy opponents on light fishing gear.

There are numerous species of the Trevally family, the most common being the Giant Trevally. These are the "street-fighters " of our game fish. Like the Queenfish, with whom they share a similar habitat inshore, they are prolific takers of all sorts of flies and lures. They prefer to slug it out deep, and a tussle with a big one can leave you with a very weak sensation in the arms, back and legs

Although the Barramundi would be the most eagerly targeted, amongst locals the Threadfin Salmon and the often smaller Blue Salmon are as popular as a fighting fish. Though not quite as easy to find all year round, during the build up to the wet they are numerous, and their fight is faster and more acrobatic than even the barra. The Apsley Straight is renowned for the quality of these fighting superstars, and an encounter with one of the big ones can also leave you weak at the knees. Of interest: there are several world records for Threadfin Salmon on fly in the 4kg,6kg and 8kg tippet class that could readily be broken with Munupi fish!

Offshore, the Dolphin Fish also are found in these waters and will present the Blue water fishermen with a serious and practical lesson on why this dazzling fish is much sought after for it's eating, along with it's go hard capabilities.

There is no doubt that the coral trout is argueably the best tasting fishing in the ocean. They are a frequent catch in these parts and will often take a lure or jig.

The Golden Snapper, often called Goldie because of its beautiful gold colouring, is a superb table fish, which inhabits both inshore and offshore reefs and averages
4-10kg. The waters surrounding Melville and Bathurst islands are renowned for producing some huge Snapper in the 10 kilo plus class. These fish are and are rarely caught more than a few kilometres from shore.

The Mangrove Jack is also up there as a scrapper. Preferring the cover of rock bars and deep snags, the Jack is an ambush expert and would probably account for more lost lures than any other tropical fish! The characteristic dash from cover and a speedy return with the lure in tow is about as exciting as it gets. Over a few yards the Mangrove Jack is as tough to stop, pound for pound, as any fish in the tropics.

Spanish Mackerel are most abundant in the latter half of the year. They too frequent waters around rocky headlands and exposed reefs, but also feed above shallow reefs next to deeper water.

Jewfish are a popular local species, quite easy to catch considering their often huge size and renowned ability to pull your arms off. There are several jewie holes close to the Lodge and a popular evening pastime is to soak a bait there while waiting for dinner to cook and the tide to change.
 

Estuarine Rock Cod and Coral Trout are wide-ranging reef species. Both are non-schooling and are usually encountered whilst fishing for other reef species. The coral trout, in particular, is a highly regarded table fish.

Mud crabs. One of the special delicacies offered to the Munupi visitor is a feed of the succulent mud crab. Beware that this memorable experience can lead to an addiction whose symptoms include an excess of saliva in the mouth, and an almost insatiable desire to return to Munupi Wilderness Lodge!
 

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