There should also be a bag limit put on them as a super high risk species, maybe 1 per boat?? I have seen the number of boats out already and there are more than every. 

Well said Mexican and I totally agree. Proves once again that rec fishers are leading the way in resource management as it is in our own interest to look after the stocks.

Fair call and well put.  I dont see a problem with taking one every now and then, then again, I'd happily take a trout or red or rankin over a barra, or even a thready.

With the expanding population, we need to change the regulations.  I personally never kill barra, why bother when there are trout and other species which are far better to eat.  1 fish per boat, is a fair limit.  Maybe a slot size eg 55cm - 80cm too would protect the females.

Some people dont realise, that most of our creeks are only 2-3km long and there is not much water at low tide.  Some systems may only have 1 or 2 holes which hold fish at low tide.  It really pisses you off if you venture a long way up the coast heading for a secluded spot only to find 3 boats already in the only decent hole.

These smaller creeks may only have a dozen or so barra in them at any time, so if they are biting, it is possible for these 3 or 4 boats to actually put a fair dent in the population.

I urge all fishos to go out and catch a few coral trout for a meal.  Return all of the barra.  They are too much fun to catch only once.

Well put mexican,

I agree 100%. If someone asks me to take them barra fishing I always ask if they are planning on keeping barra. if the answer is yes then they dont get a gurnsy. if the barra disapear id probably have to move haha.

Cheers

Yep your dead right guys it's a shame you can't get the message across to the wider community. Some people just don't get it

Education is key, 

After explaining why I don't keep any Barra to guy's I take out - they are happy to get a good photo and release them at the same time as knocking off a few cold frothies and enjoying the place all the while knowing that we can do this for years to come.

We need to speak up in a non critical way if you want others to listen so if the opportunity arises explain the situation without being critical of others actions - many wouldn't really understand the situation until explained. 

As mentioned in other posts if we want a feed we go and get Trout, Blue bone, Snapper etc so it's not like I am against taking a fish for the table when needed.   

I dont mind keeping the odd Barra for a feed. Usually keep a couple every season. When you see how many get pulled out of little creeks for multiple weekends it makes you wonder. Lots of little ones around this year so thats a good sign.

Saying that I got a 95 the other day so some bigger ones about too.

Your exactly right.. Me personally every fish i catch is realeased usually to the disgust of others watching or onboard, but thats me as i enjoy targeting barra only for the action, and skill to land a prized sized fish.I preach and tell others my reason why and like you said, most people if educated about the local barramundi stocks will maybe catch one enjoy a feed and then start doing the same..Realeasing fish sometimes can be just as good as the catch..Myself i have seen and caught some good sized fish this season nothing over the ton mark but some nice solid fish that test you and your tackle out as well as the time in effort you put in to catch one of these iconic local species..Enjoy fishing and lets all preserve our local species..

 Yeah rigger..been catchin most on livies and a few lure casting when there feeding, only a short time then they shut down and move on.Yourself?? beeen getin a few? Havent tested the usuall spots yet just locall around town

Good to see great attitudes by all the anglers in this thread

As for how it was decades ago, have spoken to a few long-time locals from work and it was pretty much unheard of to catch a barra in those days. When the netting stopped the population bounced back and numbers peaked at a time when angling pressure was minimal. Catches upwards of 15+ were common and anything less than 10 fish was considered a quiet day. Even when I first starting fishing the Pilbara creeks about 10 years ago for barra you could fish in a creek north of Karratha and not see another boat all day.

Ahhh this thread is making me want to fish for Pilbara barra again

well put and it's good to see most people feel the same way, no probs with keeping 1 per boat or 1 per angler max 2 per boat but give me a mangrove jack and a thready in the eski anyday before a barra, they taste better anyway. looking forward to getting in the creeks again and catching more than 1 barra in 24 hours :)

 As the waters are warming up by the day and the weather choppy like usual on days off, its probably a good time to re-raise this one as there are quite a few new fishos in town. Respect the sacred barra and return all that you can. The stocks are looking reasonable this year, maybe thanks to that deluge or rain we had over winter. Might be an early summer.

Good luck to all on the water but let them go for someone else to get the barra buzz.

Yep, I let all mine go on the weekend.  There are better things to eat than a stinky creek fish :)

The fish seem to be in great condition this year and of a much better average size.

Are people replacing the trebles with singles either barbless or crushing the barbs? If so is there any noticeable difference with hook up rate and amount of fish lost in the fight?

I usually crush the barbs, but last week was using a new lure with owners which had not been crushed.  By the time I had released 6 fish the hooks were basically barbless anyway.

I feel that barbless does penetrate better, and if you keep the rod tip low to stop the fish from jumping I rarely lose them.