Iconic fishing competition draws anglers to the Northern Territory’s remote Daly RiverBy Sam ParryTopic:Recreational Fishing5m ago5 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 10:32pmHundreds of fishers from around the country have travelled to the NT's Daly River for the annual Barramundi Classic fishing competition. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)In short:About 150 competitive anglers have travelled to a remote river in the Northern Territory for the annual Barramundi Classic.The five-day tournament sees about 3,000 barramundi caught in the Daly River, with competitors earning points based on a combination of size and overall quantity.What's next?All barramundi caught during the event are tagged and released to assist in the sustainable management of the popular fishery.abc.net.au/news/nt-barramundi-classic-fishing-competition-daly-river-remote-/105271168Link copiedShareShare articleFrom a packed tourist park on the banks of Daly River, anglers in teams of three venture as far as 50 kilometres downstream in search of a prized barramundi.About 150 competitive anglers from around the country have travelled from as far away as Melbourne and the Pilbara to this remote river in the Northern Territory.The Daly River is about 220 kilometres south of Darwin. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)They are here for the popular annual event the Barramundi Classic, a tag-and-release tournament targeting a fish favoured by anglers for its elusive behaviour, and what many describe as an exciting fight once hooked.Over the five-day event, about 3,000 fish are expected to be tagged, with competitors earning points based on a combination of the size of the fish they catch and overall quantity caught. While many serious competitors arrive towing expensive boats boasting the latest and greatest technology in sport fishing, for most, the event is a chance to connect with friends and enjoy the scenery on stunning Malak Malak country.Acclaimed Darwin angler Shane Compain is attending the 2025 Barramundi Classic. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)Fishers are advised to be aware of the presence of crocodiles while on and around the Daly River. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)Masters angler Gaye Silva first came to the Daly in 1999 and has returned to the Barramundi Classic every year since."It's like a big reunion every year. All the familiar faces and so many friends that we've made through fishing. We just love it, and the fishing of course is a bonus," she said.Despite gender stereotypes associated with the sport, more women than men fish in the Northern Territory, something Ms Silva said was slowly being reflected by the number of women who fish competitively in the Barramundi Classic.Barra Classic competitor Gaye Silva preparing to enjoy a sweet treat on the Daly River. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)“Back in the day there may have only been four or five women fishing, but now there are maybe 20. A lot of women fishing,” Ms Silva said.She adds that the sport is “fully embraced by everyone”.Fishing for scienceAll barramundi caught during the event are tagged to assist in scientific monitoring by the NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries before being quickly released, making it one of the biggest contributors to barramundi tagging data in the region. Competitors use a bespoke tool to insert a numbered plastic tag under the skin of the fish, making it identifiable should it be caught again.Information, including the size of the fish and the location it was caught in, is recorded and entered into a database supplied to Fisheries, contributing to the sustainable management of the popular fishery.The tagging of the barrumundi helps the NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries monitor the species. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)Alex Julius, a lifetime member of the Amateur Fishing Association of the Northern Territory (AFANT) was involved in establishing fish tagging at the Barra Classic in the 1980s.“It was really the start of serious recreational tagging for barramundi in the Northern Territory and has proven to be very beneficial to gaining knowledge of the fishery,” Mr Julius said.Mr Julius says the tagging of barramundi made the competition unique."The only other tagging competitions that take place are for billfish," he said."As far as I know, there's no other tagging program for smaller sport fish like the barramundi."Alex Julius (Centre) says the tagging element of the Barramundi Classic made the competition unique. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)Accommodating seniorsEven with the right precautionary measures, hours in the Top End sun can take a toll on competitors, especially the tournament’s more experienced anglers.Now in its second year, a masters competition for anglers over the age of 60 is held concurrently, running for three days instead of the main event’s five.Lifetime member of the Darwin Game Fishing club, Leigh Halprin, said he hatched the idea for a masters division after seeing exhausted older competitors return to camp after a long session on the river.“A lot of the older guys who had been fishing for a long time were [saying] the days were getting longer and hotter and we can’t sort of keep up all the time,” he said.“So, I took it on board and started thinking, well, maybe we need something to keep them fishing in the classic if we made it easier for them."Leigh Halprin was the instigator of the masters division, which caters for senior fishers looking for shorter days. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)While competitors in the masters competition start at the same time, Mr Halprin said a shorter day fishing allowed older competitors to enjoy the event as much as other fishos.“Lines out is a couple of hours earlier to give you time to get back to the campsite, have the first hot shower, have the first beer, relax, be able to tie up the boat to the pontoon before everybody else gets back,” he said.The inaugural masters competition last year attracted six teams."Second year in, we've got 12 teams and they're all still enjoying the fishing knowing that they don't have to go as hard," Mr Halprin said.The Barramundi Classic runs until Sunday.Posted 5m ago5 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 10:32pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter) News in LanguageListen to the news in Warlpiri, Yolngu Matha and KriolListenTop StoriesAmerican Robert Prevost elected pope and will be known as Pope Leo XIVLIVEPhoto shows A man in religious robes looks down from a balconyPrice defection slammed as hostile Liberal takeover with Angus TaylorTopic:Political LeadershipPhoto shows Federal shadow minister for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Price standing and speaking outside a voting centre.Drained batteries and broken trust: Energy giant denounced over clean tech schemeTopic:Energy IndustryPhoto shows Man wearing baseball cap and khaki green t-shirt standing next to household Tesla batteryUS and UK strike deal as Trump slashes tariffs on British steel, carsTopic:TariffsPhoto shows Keir Starmer and Donald Trump shake hands and make eye contact Meeting with hate preacher triggers court order for notorious terror leaderTopic:ExtremismPhoto shows image of convicted terrorist Abdul BenbrikaPopular nowWho is Pope Leo XIV and why does he overcome a taboo against a US pontiff?Topic:ExplainerPhoto shows Pope Leo XIV waving on the central loggia of St. Peter's BasilicaAmerican Robert Francis Prevost elected pope and will be known as Pope Leo XIVLIVEPhoto shows A man holds a sign in Italian which translates to 'up with the pope' at the Vatican in a huge crowdPrice defection slammed as hostile Liberal takeover with Angus TaylorTopic:Political LeadershipPhoto shows Federal shadow minister for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Price standing and speaking outside a voting centre.Related topicsDaly RiverNTRecreational FishingTop StoriesAmerican Robert Prevost elected pope and will be known as Pope Leo XIVTopic:Religious LeadersPhoto shows A man in religious robes looks down from a balconyPrice defection slammed as hostile Liberal takeover with Angus TaylorTopic:Political LeadershipDrained batteries and broken trust: Energy giant denounced over clean tech schemeTopic:Energy IndustryUS and UK strike deal as Trump slashes tariffs on British steel, carsTopic:TariffsMeeting with hate preacher triggers court order for notorious terror leaderTopic:ExtremismJust InIconic fishing competition draws anglers to the NT's remote Daly RiverTopic:Recreational Fishing5m ago5 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 10:32pmMurder charge laid after woman stabbed in Adelaide's northTopic:Homicide26m ago26 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 10:11pmIndia says military stations were attacked by Pakistani drones and missilesTopic:Unrest, Conflict and War38m ago38 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 10:00pmShearers struggle for work as wool production hits century-lowTopic:Wool Growing47m ago47 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 9:50pmMore Just InBack to top