BARRAMUNDI AND TROPICAL FRESHWATER SPORTFISHES. By Dick Eussen.

1994 1st edition. 4to paperback. Pp72. Colour and b/w photographs.

This is "a book about barramundi fishing and Australia's wild tropical north. ...The giant perch or barramundi, Lates calcarifer, is undoubtedly Australia's most popular sport and food fish." Barramundi are a close relation of the Nile Perch, which it resembles. They are very widely distributed in Australia, the East Indies and the Indian Ocean, in both fresh and salt water. Over-exploitation has endangered the species nearly everywhere. The exception is Australia's Northern Territory, where the Barramundi Management Plan has allowed a rapid resurgence of the species with long-term security for both commercial fishermen and anglers. This book shows in detail where to go, when, and what to do when you get there. Rivers, billabongs and estuaries are covered. A chapter is also included which deals with other species of fighting fish. A frightening amount of the text explains how to avoid being eaten by crocodiles which have benefited from their own, highly successful management plan. Chapters include; the barramundi and its environment; the tropical seasons; barra tackle; barra lures; live bait; fishing for barra; boats and motors; fly in places; tropical freshwater fighting fish; tides (26ft/8m in range in many places); crocodiles; the tropic adventure; the rewards. A good read with lots of incidents and anecdotes from the author's own experiences. Many good photographs.