Top 7 Lures for Barramundi Fishing

Barramundi are an iconic species that are available to anglers in both the freshwater lakes and impoundments, as well as the saltwater rivers, estuaries and headlands in the northern half of the country. A popular target species, due to their love of lures, implosion feeding, aerial antics and the fact that they are a quality table fish, anglers will travel long distances for an opportunity to target the fish of a lifetime.

In this article I wanted to look at a selection of different lure presentations that have all proven effective on barramundi, along with when you might tie them on and tips for fishing them. The first few presentations are grab and go, ready to tie on and fish straight out of the packet, which can save time and allow anglers to be confident that the lure is set up to perform. We then look at some other presentations that require some form of rigging, which does allow the versatility of selecting jighead weights and sizes to suit different applications, and we will include popular jigheads to suit these presentations.

ZMan HerculeZ Pre-Rigged Swimbait

One of the simplest presentations to fish for barramundi is a paddle tail soft plastic, representing a poddy mullet or other baitfish. These can be cast and slow rolled (slow wind) to imitate swimming mullet, varying the retrieve, or adding the occasional twitch or pause to mix things up. Our aim is to ‘crack a pattern’, a pattern of feeding behaviour, and then we can focus on the retrieve that’s getting the bites.

HerculeZ is available in 3, 4, 5 and 6” sizes, allowing you to select a presentation that matches the bait (match the hatch), and has the weight required to suit the environment being fished, amount of current, average fish size, and other variables. The 3” is popular when the bait and barramundi are smaller, and when other species, such as mangrove jack, are also on the target list. The three larger models are perfect for specifically targeting barramundi, with anglers often stepping up through the sizes if the bait is larger, barramundi more aggressive or generally larger, or they require the additional weight to keep the presentation in the strike zone.

Straight out of the packet the HerculeZ is ready to go, fitted with a heavy-duty Mustad hook, with an integrated, stainless steel belly attachment point, perfect for attaching a treble hook when fishing more open water and wanting the additional hook points for maximum chance of a hook set. Barramundi are implosion feeders, meaning they suck in a large amount of water with their prey (your lure), and can eject it just as quickly if it doesn’t feel right, so more hook points can improve the hook set, especially on larger fish.

HerculeZ 3" - 1/4oz zinc weight (overall weight 11.6g / approx. 3/8oz) (2 Pack)

HerculeZ 4" - 3/8oz zinc weight (overall weight 22g / approx. 3/4oz)

HerculeZ 5" - 5/8oz zinc weight (overall weight 37g / approx. 1.3oz)

HerculeZ 6" - 1oz zinc weight (overall weight 54g / approx. 1.9oz)

The HerculeZ is perfect for rolling over the flats and rock bars, along mud edges and drop offs, over and along weed beds, picking pockets in the mangroves and working deeper holes. Virtually anywhere that you will find baitfish cruising or concentrated, cast a HerculeZ.

ZMan PrawnZ Elite Pre-Rigged Prawn

There is an old saying that ‘everything eats a prawn’, and it’s true, they are one of the tastiest creatures in the ocean. Unlike our baitfish imitation that is ideal for covering plenty of water on a slow roll, we tend to utilise prawn imitations for focussing our attention on structure, such as mangrove edges, timber, drains, rock, and similar areas that hold prawns. You will commonly see prawns gliding in the water, or kicking short distances, so remember to mimic these movements when fishing a prawn imitation.

ZMan PrawnZ Elite are also barra ready with a heavy-duty Mustad UltraPoint hook, and available in 3.5” and 5” sizes. These 10X Tough prawns have a few design characteristics that have made them super effective, in fact a common phrase I hear when speaking to anglers is that ‘fish just eat them’. Firstly, they have incredible realism to attract predators. Secondly, they are designed with segmented body and a cupped tail that gives them a lifelike prawn kick when the rod is twitched. Thirdly, their antennae and legs vibrate on the sink and slow draw, which triggers strikes from even shutdown fish. In my eyes, this is the perfect prawn imitation.

Be prepared for a strike as the PrawnZ Elite sinks and the legs and antennae vibrate, often registered as a ‘tick’ in the line as the barra inhales it, or a speeding up, stopping, or direction change in the line. PrawnZ Elite are commonly fished with a couple of sharp hops as the rod tip is raised, followed by a pause and lowering of the rod tip as the lure sinks back down and the angler retrieves any slack line. I have also heard of anglers having great success casting across the flow to the mangrove edge and allowing the PrawnZ Elite to slowly sink as it drifts along the front of the mangrove edge.

The packaging of this lure is designed so that it can be reused for storing the PrawnZ Elite, complete with plastic locking tabs. If you prefer a tackle tray storage option, you can store around a dozen 3.5” PrawnZ Elite in the Large TT Split Foam Tackle Tray, or around ten 5” PrawnZ Elite in the Extra Large Deep TT Split Foam Tackle Tray, ensuring the legs and tail are kept in optimum condition to get the bites.

ZMan 3.5” PrawnZ Elite – 3/16oz Internal Weight – 2/0 Hook
ZMan 5” PrawnZ Elite – 1/2oz Internal Weight – 5/0 Hook

TT Fishing Quake Soft Vibes

Soft vibes are another barramundi favourite, with the TT 75mm, 95mm and 110mm Quake Power Vibe, and 95mm Quake Slim Vibe, proven fish catches. As their name suggests the soft vibe vibrates on the retrieve, swimming back down on the sink, where it is intercepted and inhaled by barramundi and other species. The baitfish shaped profile is fitted with two heavy-duty trebles and an internal weight to sink it to the desired depth, meaning caution should be applied when fishing vibes around structure.

The Quake’s profile and weight allow it to sink quite quickly, making it a popular option when increased flow makes it difficult to fish other presentations, and when fishing deeper holes, rock bars, and ledges. The Quake range features a unique internal stainless-steel frame that increases durability, maximises vibration, and minimises hook fouling while fishing these lures vertically. They are commonly fished straight up and down (vertically), with a one or more small lifts, or a long draw, before being allowed to freefall to represent and injured or dying baitfish.

Less is often more with this presentation, and you will feel a couple of short, sharp lifts bring this lure to life, causing it to pulse, while creating vibration and water movement. When the fish are finicky or more shutdown it can pay to tie on a Quake Slim, with its slimmer profile and reduced weight creating a more subtle action and fall. Soft vibes can also be effectively fished with a cast and standard hopping retrieve, commonly used when fishing soft plastics, and this presentation will appeal to a myriad of fish species.

TT Quake Power Vibe 75mm – 13g
TT Quake Power Vibe 95mm – 26g
TT Quake Power Vibe 110mm – 36g
TT Quake Slim Vibe 95mm – 20g

ZMan Mulletron LT / Mulletron

Back onto the mullet imitations and a unique profile that is available in a line-through model, with internal weighting, hook slot, and hook, or a standard unrigged model that you can pair with your chosen jighead. Both models feature 10X Tough ElaZtech construction and a wedge-shaped tail that presents a fluid, natural swimming motion at a wide range of retrieve speeds. The swimming action on these is incredibly lifelike and needs to be seen to be believed.

Firstly, the Mulletron LT (Line Through) features a realistic profile and photo printed realism, with an internal weight and hook slot that houses a custom heavy-duty sickle hook. The 4.5” model comes with a 3/0, while the 6” comes with a 5/0, and replacement hooks are available. On a side note, for those wanting increased hook exposure, a Gamakatsu SL12 rides beautifully in these in a 2/0 or 4/0 size respectively. Being a line-through design, the plastic is allowed to slide up the line after the hook set, reducing leverage from the fish and enabling the custom, heavy duty sickle hook remain securely pinned in the fish, even during the most aggressive head shakes, jumps, and tail walks. Perfect for barramundi!

This plastic skips extremely well so that you can get it right in where the barra are holding and swims incredibly on a wide range of retrieve speeds, allowing you to buzz structure and the shallows, or slow it right down for fishing deeper and more shutdown bites. A great presentation for swimming with mullet and other baitfish, in areas where they congregate or travel through, such as edges, drains, mangroves and timber. The packaging of this lure is designed so that it can be reused for storing the Mulletron LT, complete with plastic locking tabs.

ZMan Mulletron LT 4.5” – 1/4oz Internal Weight – 3/4oz Overall Weight – 3/0 Hook
ZMan Mulletron LT 6” – 1/2oz Internal Weight – 1 3/4oz Overall Weight – 5/0 Hook

The Mulletron, or Mulletron Unrigged / Loose Body as it is sometimes referred, is an unrigged plastic that can be rigged on your jighead of choice. This more traditional plastic is inexpensive, with multiple plastics per pack, a stack of colours, and has that wedge-shaped tail that creates the magic when in the water. Profile sizes are smaller than the Mulletron LT, at 3.3” and 4”, making them perfect for matching smaller bait and targeting more finicky feeders. Despite their smaller profile, the Mulletron has produced barramundi to almost a metre twenty.

When targeting barramundi on the Mulletron we prefer to pair it with a TT HeadlockZ HD jighead, a traditional ‘J’ hook jighead, for more open water applications, with a 4/0 pairing well with the 3.3” size, while a 5/0, 6/0 and even larger can be housed in the bulkier 4” model. The TT SwimlockZ is another proven jighead option for barramundi, with increased hook exposure, and an integrated stainless-steel attachment point on the belly to add a treble hook. When it comes to weedless rigging with a TT ChinlockZ, ChinlockZ SWS or SnakelockZ jighead, a 4/0 or 5/0 fits the 3.3” nicely, with a 6/0 the go for the 4” size. Put this plastic in where the baitfish are holding or cruising and slow roll it for some brutal strikes.

ZMan DieZel MinnowZ

This is one of the absolute go-to presentations for barramundi anglers and it has been a go-to for guides and hard-core barramundi anglers for many years. A thinner and higher baitfish profile, the DieZel MinnowZ is a paddle tail with loads of action and body roll, and where the Mulletron excels on a slow roll, the DieZel MinnowZ is just as at home on a slow roll as it is hopped and worked more erratically in deeper water.

Available in 4, 5, and 7” sizes, with the 4 and 5” most popular in the salt and the 5” and 7” the go-to for consistently larger impoundment fish, the DieZel MinnowZ features a belly slot for simple weedless rigging and easier hook clearance, along with a hook pocket, in the form of a split top fin, where the barb and point can be shielded from structure when fishing weedless in heavy cover. This is a great allround 10X Tough baitfish profile, that appeals to a wide range of species and responds to almost any retrieve.

In terms of jighead selection, the 4” rigs well on a 4/0 TT HeadlockZ HD or weedless jighead (the TT SnakelockZ being the go-to), the 5” on a 6/0 or even larger, and the 7” is a monster plastic that requires a 9/0 or 10/0 TT SwimlockZ or Enforcer jighead. The action and design of this plastic makes it a versatile option that can be skipped under mangroves, fished on or near the surface, or rigged to fish deep holes and rock bars. The range includes a comprehensive range of colours and with all presentations we recommend a light, natural colour for clear water and bright days, a darker silhouette colour for low light and dirty water, and a fluoro / UV presentation to change things up.

TT Enforcer Soft Plastics

If you’re on the hunt for big fish and wanting to fish an XOS soft plastic, then check these monsters out. TT Enforcer plastics are constructed from heavy-duty PVC and feature a realistic baitfish profile, thinner and higher body for increased hook up rate, large paddle tail for loads of action and body roll, even at slow speeds, and grooves on their back to make jighead rigging quicker and simpler. Available in 220mm and 250mm sizes, these are worth eating for a big barramundi, Murray cod, mulloway, flathead and other large predatory species.

The jigheads that have been designed to suit the Enforcer soft plastics share the same name and received an AFTA Award for Best Terminal Tackle. They are available in 1/2oz, 3/4oz and 1oz models, built on 9/0, 10/0 and 11/0 Owner heavy-duty hooks, allowing anglers to slow roll them at a wide range of depths, based on jighead weight selection. Harnesses are also available for each model that are built using heavy-duty, stainless-steel wire and components, featuring a screw-lock keeper, locking pins and two 4X strong Owner ST-66 trebles for the ultimate reliability when the pressure is on. Built for anglers chasing big fish.

ZMan Topwater Plastics

Barramundi have eyes high on their head and commonly feed upward, making surface fishing soft plastics a popular technique, especially in the warmer months when they are more active. The natural buoyancy of ZMan ElaZtech soft plastics and their 10X Tough construction, make them ideal for weedless rigging for topwater fishing, and there’s a few favourites in the range. These plastics are generally rigged weedless on a TT ChinlockZ or ChinlockZ SWS jighead, allowing them to be cast deep into and over structure, before a raised rod tip and fairly rapid retrieve gets the plastic on the surface bubbling and gurgling to attract fish and trigger strikes.

ZMan 2.75” Finesse FrogZ and 4” Hard Leg FrogZ rig on a 2/0 and 6/0 ChinlockZ respectively and have a wide leg action that creates a bubbling and gurgling to fire the fish up. The smaller model is popular when the bait and fish are smaller, or when the bite is more shut down.

ZMan 4” Pop FrogZ have a cupped face and more subtle leg action that allows them to also be buzzed or popped and paused to stay in the strike zone longer. This model rigs well on a 4/0 TT ChinlockZ jighead.

The ZMan 4” GOAT ToadZ is a more recent addition that was designed in conjunction with ZMan fans online and it is a favourite, with its narrower leg span concentrating the action and it’s V-shaped keeled belly assisting with stability and lift out of the water. As with the above topwater plastics it features a belly slot / hook pocket for simple weedless rigging, easy hook clearance and shielding the hook point from structure. A TT ChinlockZ 5/0 or 6/0 will suit this model.

Finally, the unique ZMan GOAT family, in the 3.75” GOAT and 4.25” Billy GOAT models, has proven deadly on barramundi, with its squashed grub body and dual kicking feet offering a completely different action and sound to the FrogZ, allowing you to change things up if required. A 4/0 TT ChinlockZ jighead is a great starting point in terms of jighead selection.

There you go, a quick dig into the tackle bags of the serious barramundi angler, with a selection of options that provide versatility in terms of size, weight, profile and action, allowing you to effectively match the bait, depth, flow, structure, and the size and mood of the fish at the time. All the best with your barramundi fishing adventure, they are certainly an Australian favourite, with their big bucket mouth inhaling lures, their strong and powerful build providing powerful runs and acrobatic leaps from the water, and they photograph well when you do catch that fish of a lifetime. Fish on!

Check out loads of barramundi articles, and other info, on the ‘LEARN’ section of our Tackle Tactics website, along with a collection of barramundi videos on our Tackle Tactics TV YouTube Channel. Bring it on!