Fish whisperer Hiroaki Nakamura and the art of catching barramundi in Darwin

Updated

Darwin's own fish whisperer has caught his 1,000th barramundi - all without a boat or bait.

He took the ABC out to the secret spot where he caught it to show how it was done.

Hiroaki Nakamura is known around Top End fishing circles as the "fishing guru on the scooter".

When he heads out to cast a line he is only after one type of fish - barramundi.

"Barramundi are not the strongest fish," he told the ABC on a recent fishing expedition.

"But they are a clever fish."

The barra barron said he liked the challenge of a fish that put up a fight.

"I have to find their hunting schedule under the water. That's very fun. It's a computer game," he said.

Having caught 1,000 barramundi without a boat since 2010, he said his secret was a keen appreciation of the tides and weather, and keeping methodical records of every single catch, which he details on his blog.

He said he was "very happy" with the catch, even if it was not his biggest.

At a secret spot near East Point, he told the ABC all elements must be considered when heading out for a fish.

"Each fishing location needs different fishing gear. Today incoming tide, also quite strong water current. So I chose this fishing rod and reel."

He fishes without bait, only lures, which means he must be finely attuned to the changing weather and water patterns.

"Incoming tide is mostly better than outgoing tide for barramundi fishing, land based," he said.

"Normally people consider the tide timing."

But weather was more important, he said.

"If it's very windy that means very wavy conditions. No good for barramundi fishing," he said.

"Also no wind, the sea surface looks like a mirror. This condition very bad," he said, because in clear water the fish are vulnerable to predators and hide.

"So every time I have to understand wind conditions," Mr Nakamura said.

"Everyone has his own drag setting, but for me, if barramundi won't take my lure positively, I set [the tension] very weak."

Mr Nakamura has a cult following on social media within Darwin's fishing community.

He is often seen driving his scooter with his day's catch hanging off the side.

Mr Nakamura has perfected the craft of land-based fishing out of necessity, because he does not have a boat.

"I like barramundi fishing by land based because I have no car, I have no boat, that's all," he said.

"If possible I would want to have a car and boat but I'm not a rich man."

Topics: lifestyle-and-leisure, darwin-0800

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