Kimberley fishing: pelagics begin to bite, Buccaneer Classic looms, where the barra are biting

One can only dare to hope with the cool mornings and an increased presence of pelagic fish species out on the water that the dry season is almost upon us.

For a lot of us this time of the year also spells the time of one of the most amazing fishing competitions of the year, the Buccaneer Classic run by the Mary Island Fishing Club in Derby.

This year 36 boats will head towards the main base of Cockatoo Island for four days of enjoying everything one of the most beautiful parts of the world can offer.

Having run enough “classics” to nearly end up in the nut house I know how fortunate the competition is to be able to use Cockatoo Island as a base so a big thank you to Dean and Gaye Kemp as well as the staff of CMC Marine and Cockatoo Island Resorts for their support.

I’m really hoping to land a nice Buccaneer Archipelago barramundi this year as there have been plenty around, especially in the Derby region.

Derby, having the mouth of one of the biggest freshwater rivers in the north, gives rise to one of the best and biggest barramundi grounds in the country.

In days past some anglers would move locations even interstate to work and live in Derby for no other reason than to fish targeting metre-plus barramundi.

With the awesome wet season the Fitzroy River catchment has had this year it could well be a great year for the barramundi-loving anglers, but with the cooler mornings the water will chill sending the fish into the quieter periods of the year.

Its best to get out there sooner rather than later for some big-girl action before the water cools.

A reminder: barra legal-to-keep size limits are between 55cm and 80cm, and if you need a photo with your fish try to keep it out of the water for the least amount of time, and support the body when holding the fish.

Don’t hang the poor thing by the mouth.

Happy fishing and see you soon Cockatoo island.