Women in the Top End are angling to scale new heights in the male-dominated sport of barramundi fishing.

The Secret Women's Business challenge is about sharing the tricks of the trade behind hooking a prize-winning fish.

More than 100 women have spent the past two days on the remote Mary River, about 100 kilometres east of Darwin, competing in the Territory's only all-women fishing challenge.

Jodie Tayler and her team Any Excuse enjoyed the day out on the water without their partners, and dressed up in their most outrageous outfits.

The pink feathers and sparkly bikinis made a startling contrast to the lush wetlands of the Corroboree Billabong.

Ms Tayler says the women were also loath to take any advice from their male partners about the best way to win.

"They've all had the opportunity to give us all their lures and rods, and all their spots, but we're doing our own thing," she said.

But it was a battle to bag any of the barramundi the Mary River is famous for.

Many of the ladies had nibbles but few fish were reeled in.

The competition's organiser, Christina Hurren, says just 37 fish were caught in the first day.

"I think it has to do with the wet season not being so wet, because it's been steadily worse over the last three years," she said.

Legend has it, the tournament was dreamt up over a glass of wine by a few local women who wanted to rock the boat.

"It started seven years ago, a couple of ladies sitting around thinking well we want to have own fishing comp, we love to fish and there isn't much opportunity for us to fish in tournaments," Ms Hurren said.

The competition has been growing since its inception and this year boasts a record number of entrants.

More than 120 serious and novice anglers took to the water this year, competing in 37 teams.

"It's friendly but they are in it to win it, so I think there's a mixture of real competitiveness and just getting out there to have some fun," Ms Hurren said.