Recfishwest proud to be announced as naming sponsors for Kununurra Apex Barra Bash – WA’s biggest fishing comp!

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the East Kimberley, the Recfishwest Apex Kununurra Barra Bash returns from 25-28 September – and Recfishwest is proud to be this year’s naming rights sponsor of WA’s biggest and most iconic fishing comp. 

Now in its 27th year, the Barra Bash has grown into a much-loved celebration of barra fishing, community spirit and outback adventure – attracting more than 1,400 anglers from across WA and beyond in 2024, making it the State’s biggest fishing competition. 

It’s a unique opportunity to experience the region’s top-class barramundi fishing – from the productive waters of the Lower Ord to the barra-rich Lake Kununurra, which has recently delivered monsters of over 140cm thanks to a decade of fish stocking efforts. 

Free from saltwater crocs and not affected by the Kimberley’s big tides, Lake Kununurra offers safe, accessible, year-round barra fishing for anglers of all ages and skill levels – from first-timers to seasoned anglers chasing their next “metrey”. 

With a postcard-esque backdrop and highly accessible fish like this, it’s no wonder the Barra Bash has quickly ascended to become to highest attended fishing competition in WA history.

Run by volunteers from the Apex Club of Kununurra, the Barra Bash is proudly inclusive and family-friendly, with more than 300 juniors, many women and participants from a wide background fishing last year.  

With thousands of dollars in prizes up for grabs – including a $10,000 mystery cash draw awarded to anyone who catches a barra above 55cm – this year’s turnout is shaping up to be another big one. 

“This is a great competition showcasing the fantastic fishing on offer in the East Kimberley and is run by the Kununurra community for the benefit of the community,” said Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland. “Recfishwest has always been keen supporters of this event and we are proud to be this year’s naming sponsor hopefully helping make it an even bigger and better event.” 

Organiser Aaron Macnamara credited the event’s notoriety to the great fishing and easy accessibility on offer, along with the great prizes up for grabs.  

“Apex Kununurra is thrilled to have Recfishwest on board as the naming rights sponsor for this 27th Apex Barra Bash. Their support is a huge boost to help continue the Barra Bash’s reign as one of the premier fishing events in WA and it’s a perfect match for our shared passion of fishing, community and the East Kimberley’s stunning waterways,” said Aaron. 

“The Kimberley’s biggest lucky door prize is on again this year with five huge lucky door prizes on offer simply for entering the event. The major door prize is a Sea Jay 448 Magnum2 Xpack tinny and 50HP Suzuki outboard motor combo valued at over $25,000. There is also a $10,000 CFMoto CF400 quad bike to give away so come down and enter for your chance to win!”  

Many Kimberley locals have said this 1.41m-long beast of a barra landed by avid fisher and Kununurra local Jack Furzer @good_dhu_dhu in April is one of the biggest ever caught, with this fish safely released after a quick snap.

 

Continue Reading

September 02, 2026

Colour it. Name it. Win it! Kids’ Halco lure colouring competition is back!

Grab the colouring pencils and get your creative juices flowing – the Exclusive Recfishwest and Halco kids’ lure colouring competition is back! Halco Managing Director Ben Patrick, former competition winner Luke…

Read More

September 02, 2026

77,600 trout stocked for another great season of freshwater fishing!

It’s time to dust off the waders, stock up on trout lures and check your South-West freshwater fishing licence is current, with 77,600 trout being released into waterways across the southern half of Western Australia…

Read More

September 02, 2026

Dolphinfish research dives deep to improve FAD fishing

Dolphinfish travelling up to 600 kilometres in just three weeks and diving to depths of more than 500 metres are among the findings of new research helping scientists better understand the movements of one of Western…

Read More

September 01, 2026

Big captures at MACK 10K – both of mackerel and valuable scientific data!

Onslow’s annual MACK 10K proved to be another smashing success this year, with plenty of mackie action on and off the water- including the most mackerel sampled in a single day as part of our Fishing for Science…

Read More

August 28, 2026

King Reef full of surprises as competition heats up

Exmouth Game Fishing Club’s (EGFC) King of the Reef competition is heating up with some fantastic catches showing up including some species never caught before on King Reef! By the end of July, 94 registered entrants…

Read More

August 25, 2026

Have your say on the future of Cockburn Sound

The State Government is reviewing the policy that guides how Cockburn Sound is protected and managed, and this is an important opportunity for people who fish, boat and enjoy the Sound to have their say. The…

Read More