Blue threadfin (fourfinger threadfin)

A silver-blue threadfin with a rounded, overhanging snout, a mouth set low, a deeply forked tail and four long free filaments under each pectoral fin. Bluer and smaller than the king threadfin.

1–5 lb.

Rarely over 3 ft and 15 lb.

Prawns and small fish.

Schools over muddy and sandy flats and in estuaries, feeding on prawns in murky water.

Found from Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory & Western Australia, Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam), Indonesia (Bali, Komodo, Raja Ampat, Sulawesi), Philippines, China, Hong Kong & Taiwan, South Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives & Pakistan and Red Sea & Arabian Gulf (Egypt, Oman, UAE). Estuaries, mud flats, beaches and river mouths from the Persian Gulf to China, New Guinea and northern Australia.

Estuaries, mud flats, beaches and river mouths from the Persian Gulf to China, New Guinea and northern Australia.

1–80 ft.

2–15 ft.

All year; best in the dry season.

Daylight hours, especially early morning and late afternoon.

The first half of the run-out tide, when bait drains off the flats and out of the creeks; the turn of high tide is good too.

Warm, stable weather; the build-up before the wet season and calm, overcast days are excellent. Heavy rain muddies the water.

Live or fresh prawns and small baitfish.

Small soft-plastic prawns, vibes and small minnows.

7 ft light-medium spinning rod.

1/0–3/0 hooks.

10–15 lb braid.

15–25 lb fluorocarbon.

Hop small plastics or drift prawns along muddy drop-offs and creek mouths on the falling tide.

Soft mouths: use a gentle drag and a landing net.

Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.

Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.

Excellent: soft, sweet white meat; fry or steam.

Saltwater crocodiles live in barramundi country across northern Australia, New Guinea and Southeast Asia: never wade, clean fish at the water's edge or lean over the side of a small boat. Gill covers are razor sharp.

Minimum sizes and bag limits apply in Queensland and the NT. Check current rules. Licenses and rules differ by country across the Indo-Pacific: Australia's states, Asian countries and the Pacific islands all set their own bag limits, size limits and marine park zones. Check the local rules or fish with a licensed charter.

Keep only what you'll eat and release the big breeders; wet your hands, support the fish's belly and get it back in the water fast.