Busting Barra on the Berkley Powerbait MulletThe barramundi would have to be one of Australia’s most prized sportfish. There are many lakes stocked in the northern part of the country with barra that grow to immense proportions. Initially we fished for them as we would to fish in the wild - throwing hard bodied lures to structure. As we learned more, newer and more effective methods developed. It’s no longer a secret that soft plastics are a deadly weapon in a barra fishermen’s arsenal.
I’ve run a lot of plastics through barra dams over the years. There are a lot of brands that will do the job but I wouldn't hesitate in saying that the Berkley Powerbait 5” Mullet is my favourite. In the last year of testing these lures against competitor’s brands, I’ve converted many barra fishermen. These fishermen are now having Berkley Mullet fever just like me.
Mullets are an ideal size and shape for impoundment barramundi. They have the standard tail paddling action found in most swim-baits with the addition of a strike-triggering body roll.
I’ve seen dozens of quality barra fall for the Berkley Powerbait Mullet. On our most memorable trip we landed 44 barra (19 of which were over a metre long) over the period of a long weekend.
I’ve seen dozens of quality barra fall for the Berkley Powerbait Mullet. On our most memorable trip we landed 44 barra (19 of which were over a metre long) over the period of a long weekend.
Fishing the Berkley Powerbait Mullet
Soft plastics are the simplest lure to use when casting for barramundi. It’s simply a matter of throwing them out and winding them back in. There’s no need for fancy rod twitches or special retrieves. You just wind the lure to keep it above the bottom or weed. The occasional pause can help to keep the lure deeper and in the productive zone.
Soft plastics are the simplest lure to use when casting for barramundi. It’s simply a matter of throwing them out and winding them back in. There’s no need for fancy rod twitches or special retrieves. You just wind the lure to keep it above the bottom or weed. The occasional pause can help to keep the lure deeper and in the productive zone.
Choosing the Spot
Using the Powerbait Mullet is simple. Choosing the right spot can be much more difficult. Let’s take a look at some of the most productive areas.
- Fresh growing weed edges before they reach the surface.
- The dirty water line on wind-blown banks.
- Shallow points.
- Warm bays and secondary bays.
- Submerged structure (especially horizontal structure).
- Weed beds.
- Barra showing on the sounder.
- Dropoffs.
Gear SelectionUsing the Powerbait Mullet is simple. Choosing the right spot can be much more difficult. Let’s take a look at some of the most productive areas.
- Fresh growing weed edges before they reach the surface.
- The dirty water line on wind-blown banks.
- Shallow points.
- Warm bays and secondary bays.
- Submerged structure (especially horizontal structure).
- Weed beds.
- Barra showing on the sounder.
- Dropoffs.
The Powerbait Mullet is a heavy lure. I find baitcaster tackle ideal for tossing them a mile and muscling big fish back to the boat. I love the Berkley Dropshot rod range for this type of work. They are a cheap rod that has a medium action. This means that the rod bends into the butt section and is forgiving when barra jump, head shake or make sudden runs. The ability to cushion such violent movements helps to reduce the number of fish lost due to pulled and thrown hooks.
I mate my Dropshot rods with an Abu Garcia Revo reel. These new baitcast reels are fantastic. I’ve been testing and trying to destroy new Revo models without success. It’s hard to believe that something so small is packed with so much power. If the need arises, you can really screw the drag up to put some series pressure on big fish.
Line Selection
Big barra demand serious tackle and line is no exception. You can’t go past braided line for strength, feel and thin diameter. Most anglers chasing big barra opt for braids between 30 and 50 pound. The tiny Abu Revo reels are quite capable of handling this heavy line. 30lb line is ideal for open water situations. If you plan to chase barra around any form of solid structure then 50lb line is recommended. There are a lot of braids to choose from so purchase one that you know has a long life and won’t let you down. My two favourites are Stren Braid and Spiderwire Stealth. Both are nice, soft braid that is ready for action the minute you finish spooling the reel.
A leader should always be attached to the braided mainline. A double tied in the braid can be attached to the leader via an improved Albright knot. A leader is needed to prevent chaffing from the barra’s rough mouth and sharp gill plate. It’s not uncommon to see big barra wear through lines as heavy as 60lb. To prevent such a disaster, I only use one leader type. Vanish fluorocarbon in 60lb or 80lb is some of the toughest line money can buy. It has great abrasion resistance and the added advantage of being invisible under the water. A descent leader is a small price to pay when you stand the chance of catching the fish of a lifetime.
Mullet FeverWater temperatures are a bit cold at the moment for landing big numbers of lake dwelling barramundi. It is however the ideal time to stock up on Powerbait Mullets for the warmer months which aren’t too far away. When the word gets out, Powerbait Mullets are going to be a huge hit. Be sure to get in early and enjoy the Mullet fever.
posted by Colonel's Capers @ 3:39 AM
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Yours truly, I'm probably what you would call an all round sport fishing nut. On most weekends you will find me on the water with a rod in one hand and a Nikon in the other. I write for Fishing World, Power Boat and Coast to Coast Fishing New Zealand. These days I happily spend a lot of time looking through the lens of a camera. It's a hobby that I got into years ago and has now taken me to some fantastic fishing spots across Australia and abroad. 
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