Bluey was going to give up work if I caught one bigger than him but now he has to keep working.

Bluey had a spare boat that needed a bit of work - decking, a motor, fuel, a sounder - etc. The old man has come up to stay with me for a few days so he worked hard on the decking throughout Wednesday - measuring, cutting and fitting. There hasn't been time to seal it as yet because we were out on the water at 5:00 on Thursday morning and not home until 7:00 that night.

The following day was similar. I know we woke Maz & Bluey trying to organise things in the dark on Friday morning.

October the 30th 1998 was a red letter day for Jed, or the barra?

Out on the water at the break of day, or before! We had to angle around the barge which had stuck itself in the shallow part of the barge hole, so the day started off easier for us than I had thought it would. Usually we have to put the boat in at the side of the landing when the barge is already landed.

Up one of the channels between Milingimbi and the mainland we found a small snag which I thought looked promising! First cast showed a follow, second cast she was on! I only had 20 lb line and when I first saw the size of her I thought 'I'm not going to lose her, I'm not going to lose her'. I played with the drag and kept the line taut. 20 minutes later I had her nearly at the side of the boat.

I was yelling at dad to get the net ready. He was worried because he thought she was going to get around the motor, but I was too good. Dad netted her and then panic set in. This Barramundi gave an almighty flick trying to get away and my rod broke and the net broke too! I reached out and grabbed the sides of the net and hauled it into the boat, then collapsed in a heap.

Well I did it again!

Not so early a start to the day on Saturday - about 7:00 a.m. Took the old man and Gabrielle out for a spin up the channels.

Poor dad. Like yesterday I took a lure off him as he wasn't doing any good. Next cast! Here she is!

Bluey and John won't let me tell my story but here is the proof.

28 lbs

Fabian Reid

My first ever Barra, caught under pressure from one P Lamaro who was convinced that I would not be able to land the first Barra that I hooked. With skill and support from the Skipper, this 8.24 kg fish was landed in the boat.
Monday 26 April 1999 caught by Fabian Reid at Milingimbi.

Peter Lamaro

Hi Josh, have a look at your old man. Just a sample of what Bluey, Fabian and I have been doing for the last couple of days. Having a ball! Speak to you later. Hope you're looking after yourself mate. luv ya! Dad. 28th April 1999.

Gerard

Tuesday 17 November 1998

On my new 'wedding anniversary' rod from Maz and Scorpion lure from Sandy.

She measured 1.05 metres and weighed 33 lb.

It has been a lean time for big barra for me, although I've caught plenty around the 20 lb mark.

My last over 30 lb was about 6 years ago, so I am on top of the world today.

Marilyn

I don't get out fishing very often, but when I do the fishing is great!

My largest fish was only 12 kilograms, but it was heavy enough for our wall photo gallery.

Kevin

Kevin was an electrician at Milingimbi for a while. He and Andrea are living back in the Kiewa Valley, Victoria.

Kevin's fish is not quite heavy enough to be framed and on our wall with the other photos, as the fish have to be over 13.6 kg or 30 lbs to reach this fame. Kevin's was only 13 kg.

We have 11 barramundi photos on our wall with 5 more waiting to be put up. We have only allowed children to have their photograph if the fish is over 15 pounds, women if the fish is over 20 pounds and men only if the fish is 30 pounds or more.

Kevin's fish was one of the ones to miss out, so he decided that he could be put in the over 20 pounds class.

This is one of his photos, it is the same fish as on the previous page.

Anthony

Anthony spent a few days with us and he caught this larger Barramundi which was about 7.8 kilograms. Great catch too Anthony!

This is the rod that has caught ALL of my big fish. It is the first rod Heizy ever made for me and now it's gone!

Friday 13 November 1998 ended off badly with Ged's new rod broken through foul play.

Saturday looked like it was going to be better. At least I broke mine on a Barra for the wall!

Russell Briggs

Sunday 18th October 1998 looked like being a good tide so Bluey, Russell and our youngest, Lachie, packed up and headed out on the water sometime after breakfast.

Russell is the ALPA store manager at Milingimbi and until now, his heaviest Barramundi has been about 5 kilograms! It was a great day for Russell who only has a couple more weeks before returning to Busselton, Western Australia where he has a golf course to run.

Here it is! 11.5 kilograms.

Lachie

Lachie had a great day too. He caught a few fish and his biggest was 7 kilograms

but you will have to look at his own page for a photo of that fish.

This one was about 5 kilograms.

Stevie Totterdell

In May 1999 Stevie was able to visit us at Milingimbi for the first time since he left here to return to the East Coast of NSW with his parents, Val and Colin in 1993.

Stevie busy at work after a great morning out fishing with Scott.

These Barramundi are not record breakers but they will make a very tasty meal for us tonight.

23rd May 1999

Anthony Power

HOW HOT AM I
and these were the smallest of the ten we caught.
Uncle Ged had already taken the fillets from the rest by the time we got the camera out.

John Quill

This barramundi was caught on the 11th April 2000 and measured 1.65m. It weighed in at 27.75lb - not heavy enough for our wall.

Wayne 2000

On one of his visits to Milingimbi.

Lumbo

What a weekend in 2001.

Mark Hughes up the Blyth

4 November 1999