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The Bream Fishing Project

The Bream Fishing Project
Author: Andrew Death
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Description
A weekly podcast for keen Bream anglers who like to catch Bream on lures, especially within a competition setting. Each week we will talk with successful bream fishermen and woman who have achieved excellent results in the art of catching bream on lures.
We will be covering tips and tricks that will help you to catch more bream on lures around the country.
We will be covering tips and tricks that will help you to catch more bream on lures around the country.
160 Episodes
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This is the first Angler Profile on The Bream Fishing Project—and it’s a cracker. Andrew sits down with Liam Carruthers (2015 ABT BREAM Grand Final champion; multiple AFC titles) to trace his lure-fishing journey and pull apart the techniques he’s best known for.
Across the chat you’ll hear:
Origin story: moving to Nowra, a fateful visit to the local tackle shop, and a first Yellowfin bream on a blade (36 fork) that lit the fire.
Paying dues: the early Hawkesbury learning curve, soaking up weigh-in wisdom from the “OGs,” and three seasons of “don’t donut” before it all clicked.
Opening up the playbook on Cranka Crabs:
Bridge pylons, rock walls/reefs in heavy tide, shallow rock with oyster clusters, potholing on flats, and pitching under boats.
Working with current (casting up-tide, feeling the “machine-gun” bite), managing snags, and why fast water does the work for you.
Gear notes mentioned in the chat: Miller Rods Brawler, 2500-size spin, ~10 lb braid, Sunline V-Hard 6–8 lb leaders; plus a summer trick—3 lb straight fluoro and a heavy crab for marina/boat hulls.
When and why Liam upsizes to the larger crab model around deep boulders in the Spencer/Middle Hawkesbury.
Crankbaits for the mid-column fish: why he likes the Daiwa Spike MR on bridges (casting tight, letting it “tick” pylons), favourite colours called out (Matte Prawn, Suji tones), and a quick note on swapping to a stickier rear treble.
Topwater windows: glass-outs and Victorian flats (e.g., Mallacoota), plus the adrenaline hit of running surface lures over racks.
Formative detour: two years in the U.S. bass scene that forced lure/technique diversity—then returning home ready to read systems instead of locking into one approach.
Big-fish memories: a giant Gippsland Lakes fish measured to the fork on a tournament ruler, and a late, heavy Sydney Harbour bridge-pylon bruiser that swam out from danger on a social day.
Shout-outs as mentioned by Liam: Cranka, Mako Eyewear, Hot Tackle, On The Chew, and Miller Rods.
If you’re keen to refine your bridge and current game—or finally make friends with crabs—this episode’s packed with practical detail straight from the conversation.
Today’s a special one: Chris Purnell joins me to wrap Series 16, explain the big Hobie ownership change, and reveal the 2025 Hobie Kayak Fishing Series (Series 17) calendar — including a mid-week Bemm River opener, a Tassie double-header, and Mallacoota in October leading into a Victorian AC.
What we cover
Hobie ownership update: context on the restructure and the brand’s move under Bass Pro’s White River Marine Group, and what that means for AU/NZ dealers, parts, and anglers.
Series 16 takeaways: tough late-season fishing (e.g., Wallaga Lake), standout bags, and why some arenas deserve a second look.
Series 17 (2025) calendar & key notes (dates/locations below).
Shout-outs to anglers (the heart of the series) and sponsors (incl. naming-rights partner Daiwa).
2025 Hobie Kayak Fishing Series (Series 17) – Dates & Locations
(AC = Australian Championship; pre-Fish and lay day marked where relevant)
Early Feb — AC (Australia): exact dates/location TBA (announcement ASAP).
Feb 17–18 (Tue–Wed) — Bemm River, VIC (mid-week)
Feb 16 (Mon) — pre-Fish
Feb 19 (Thu) — lay day
Feb 21–22 (Sat–Sun) — Marlo, VIC
Feb 20 (Fri) — pre-Fish
Mar 20–21 — Wallaga Lake, NSW
Apr 8–9 (mid-week) — Little Swanport, TAS
Apr 10 — pre-Fish
Apr 11–12 — Swan River, TAS
Tassie travel option: indicative Spirit of Tasmania sailings discussed (in via Geelong→Devonport ~Mon Apr 6, out Sun Apr 13). Most anglers base in Swansea.
Local partners: Tasmanian Kayak Fishing Series & Launceston Angling Club (local bump tubs/scales). Limited loan kayaks likely; details to be confirmed via Hobie AU.
May 2–3 — Forster, NSW
Jun 20–21 — Georges River, NSW
Jul 18–19— Lake Macquarie, NSW
Aug 15–16 — Gold Coast, QLD (Broadwater Tourist Park launch as per usual setup)
September — No round (spring transition month)
Oct 10–11 — Mallacoota, VIC
November — AC (Victoria) TBA (southern venue; details to follow)
Start / Briefing times: Events typically run a briefing ~6:30am with start ~7:00am — please confirm each round’s official times on the event listing.
Why these dates?
Targeting better tides/moons than Series 16’s back-half.
Tassie double-header to make travel worthwhile (Little Swanport → Swan River).
Forster in early May (historically strong window).
Gold Coast mid-August to avoid clashes and school-holiday pressure.
Mallacoota in October to set up a Victorian AC in November.
Quick acknowledgements (from Chris)
Anglers: there’s no series without you.
Sponsors: especially Daiwa (naming rights) and the many family-run partners backing the tour.
Hobie AU team behind the scenes: Brad, Darryl, Zoe, Tamika, Scotty, Mick, Shane, and more.
If you’re looking at Tassie, start scoping accommodation around Swansea and keep an eye out for the Spirit of Tasmania details mentioned in the episode. For loan-kayak availability and local logistics, contact the Hobie AU media team via the email referenced in the show.
—
Guest: Chris Purnell
Host: Andrew De (2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion)
Show: The Bream Fishing Project
Swan River, WA — Kayak Round 2 Recap (26–27 July) | Hobie qualifier
This episode returns to Western Australia for a deep dive on Kayak Round 2 on the Swan River, held 26–27 July in conjunction with Hobie Fishing (a qualifying round for the Hobie Kayak Fishing Series). Andrew opens with bite windows and tides, then steps through the podium interviews with Matt McCarthy (3rd), Joseph Gardner (2nd), and winner Travis Newland (1st)—including how they adapted to a brutal weather change on Day 2.
Tides & bite periods mentioned
Saturday:
Minor bite: 7:35–9:05 AM
Major bite: 12:33–3:03 PM
High tide: 10:12 AM (~0.7 m) → Low tide: 7:27 PM (~0.3 m)
Sunday:
Minor bite: 8:06–9:36 AM
Major bite: 1:19–3:49 PM
High tide: 10:39 AM → Low tide: 7:39 PM (0.35 m)
Big Bream & awards
Day 1 Big Bream: Paul Siemaszko — 1.18 kg
Day 2 & Overall Big Bream + Monster Mover: Rick Raynham — 1.27 kg
Podium interviews
3rd — Matt McCarthy (6/6 for 3.970 kg; 2.26 kg then 1.71 kg)
Approach: Started near Garrett Road Bridge, then worked down to the Belmont stretch. Found stacked fish on live/side scan but many were shut down.
Key bites: Early flurry on an old jetty/marker line; upgraded along a two-metre contour where fish moved up and down “like a highway.”
Tackle notes: Mixed confidence baits (including mussel/crab profiles and light plastics); went as light as 3 lb straight-through fluorocarbon when bites were subtle.
Day 2: Weather made visual line control hard; persisted, left with a full bag late after grinding through rain and wind.
Takeaway: Commit to zones holding life (even when fish are lock-jaw) and cycle proven confidence baits patiently.
2nd — Joseph Gardner (6/6 for 4.660 kg; 2.310 kg then 2.350 kg)
Prefish: Four sessions with patchy results from upriver to downriver; no firm pattern before the event.
Day 1 route: Tried Garrett Road Bridge (no eaters), then picked fish from Maylands Yacht Club/old jetty area and opposite banks; added reaction upgrades on small vibes when mussel bites were too slow.
Day 2 pivot: In severe cold/rain, timed a window at Claisebrook Cove—casting a pygmy mussel to the waterfall/drain edge before the drain began pumping hard again—pulling three key legals in ~90 minutes.
Tackle notes: Ran heavier leaders (6–8 lb) with prawn/mussel profiles; used a single rear hook on baby vibes to reduce weed/snags.
Result: Another consistent runner-up finish, crediting patience, timing and a crucial drain bite window.
1st — Travis Newland (6/6 for 5.230 kg; 2.53 kg then 2.70 kg; kicker 1.14 kg)
Game plan: No recent prefish; trusted a down-river milk run and slow, heavy bottom work with compact yabby/creature profiles.
Day 1: Early fish from a creek mouth drop-off, then built a quality bag along the Belmont banks, working the drop-off methodically in current/wind.
Day 2 (storm): Paddled straight to the key stretch; landed a “kegger” behind an overhanging tree, then another big fish later. Finished with a strong third fish (~33 fork) to seal it.
Tackle notes: Predominantly a yabby/creature (“Bruce”) on a heavier jighead; 12 lb braid to 4 lb fluoro leader, light, soft-tipped rod to let big fish play out on clean ground.
Outcome: Win by ~700 g, plus Hobie AC qualifying spot and $650. Emphasis on patience, line control and repeated passes over a short, productive 50 m lane.
Episode themes you’ll hear
Reading wind/current lanes and depth contours (2 m “highways”).
When to stay ultra-finesse (straight-through light fluoro) vs. forcing a reaction with small vibes.
Timing drain/flow windows (bite flurries before outflow surges).
Managing mindset and decisions when it’s cold, wet, and slow—especially in kayaks.
Hosted by: 2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion Andrew Death.
If you enjoyed this recap, please subscribe and leave a rating. Andrew also mentions The Bream Fishing Project Collective for anglers who want extra tactics, live sessions and community chat.
Welcome to the Bream Fishing Project — October Monthly Report
With Brett Geddes back on the mic, we cover a huge month: national comp calendar, honest session breakdowns (the good, the bad, and the donuts), tackle and tech that moved the needle, and bigger-picture news that matters to kayak lure anglers.
Around the Grounds (October comps)
Hobie — Burrill Lake (Thu 2 Oct, AOY points only, mid-week round)
Hobie — BurleyPro Fish Tech, St Georges Basin (4–5 Oct) — Andrew will be there
NSW Tournament Series — Grand Final, Botany Bay (25–26 Oct)
ABT — Vic Open, Gippsland Lakes (11–12 Oct)
ABT — Grand Final, Bemm & Marlo (14–16 Oct)
Action Fishing Tournaments — Grand Final, Camden Haven (25–26 Oct)
Vic Bream Classics — Round 5, Warrnambool (18–19 Oct)
WATA — Boat Rd 3, Swan River (Perth, 5 Oct)
ECBS — Grand Final, Sydney Harbour (19 Oct)
Segments
What Cheeses Me Off —
New segment tease — “I think I did a dumb thing”
Sessions, Tactics & Lessons
Waller Lake — Stunning, but savage: 55 donuts Day 1 (of 75); Jason Marshall ~3.5 kg. Andrew scratched two late Day 2 near the launch — lesson: don’t overrun the obvious.
Grubs Month (Collective focus)
Georges River — ActiveTarget on boat-holes/mooring blocks; Squidgy Wrigglers on 1/16 oz & lighter in 2–3 m; watched fish rise to the drift. Standout fish 36 fork, 32, 30, plus a salmon called on sonar.
Tunks Park — All-day grubs, great FFS interactions… and the missed photo that cost places.
St Georges Basin prefish — Salmon schools “called” on FFS (cast-to-distance trick worked for Stewie Dunn). Only one legal bream for Andrew. Stewie tangles with a very big mulloway on 5 lb/light gauge — compelling FFS footage shows scale vs bream.
Brett’s update — Windy spring, bream moody; perch to the rescue. From ~1400 to 1700 EPs, often 30–40/session on blades (Sprat/Tomahawk 85 style). Squid mission ongoing.
Big Bite & Big Picture
Yellowfin tuna (stickbaits) — Electric surface rushes, chaotic ramps; single stinger hook setups; airborne follows and missed bites provide insane visuals.
South Australia fish kill — Coastal oxygen event; tough for communities and tourism. Nature will rebound, but it’ll take time.
Community shout-outs
Andrew “Andy” Kettle — Land-based, night-only EP specialist; surface walkers/high-stick retrieve; “EP ninja” dedication.
Leon — Strong Hobie Day 1; three kayak rules: mussel, mussel, no flatties aboard.
Gear we mentioned
Jabbers travel rods (6-piece) & Upper Cut trebles (12/14/16; strong, sticky; 100-pack jars).
BurleyPro HDS Pro visor (better screen & battery headroom); Connector Protectors (stop wet-plug corrosion).
Braid 0.4 PE white (rated 8 lb; higher measured break); considering bite-marker dots for strike watching (inspired by Joseph Gardner using multi-colour jigging braid).
Shyne Away leader treatment — Degloss + decontaminate to reduce visibility (most effective to up to 10–12 lb leaders).
Lovig Bay Boots — Warm/dry, easy winter wear; trying full size run at St Georges Basin.
Hobie news — Ownership update discussion; 180 drive aftermarket ceramic roller solution mentioned (alternative when out of warranty).
K-spike kayak power pole (Greg Rook; with Tony “Batman” Petty); lightweight 6/8/10 ft; drift chute attachment idea is clever.
Regional outlook (VIC/NSW)
Early spring bream remain fickle (Aug–Oct lull). Expect ramp-up as temps lift; dusky flathead to become a major play. Daylight savings adds post-work windows.
Timestamps / Chapters
(Adjust once your final audio export sets exact times.)
00:00 Intro — why this month matters
02:10 Around the Grounds — October comp calendar
08:45 Segment: What Cheeses Me Off (the 10 mm spanner)
12:20 New segment tease: “I think I did a dumb thing”
16:00 Wallaga Lake wrap — donuts, context, and late salvage
20:05 Georges River — grubs + ActiveTarget (fish rising to the drift)
25:10 Tunks Park — the missed photo lesson
28:30 St Georges Basin prefish — calling salmon on FFS; Stewie’s big mulloway on 5 lb
34:40 Brett’s perch run — 1,700 EPs, blade patterns, squid pains
40:25 Yellowfin stickbait bite — why it’s so wild
45:15 South Australia fish kill — what’s happening and why it matters
50:00 Community — Andrew “EP ninja” Kettle; Leon’s kayak rules
53:10 Gear — Jabbers trebles & rods
56:20 BurleyPro visor + connector protectors
59:15 Braid & bite-markers; Joseph Gardner note
1:02:20 Shyne Away leader matte
1:05:10 Lovig Bay Boots — try-ons at Basin
1:08:40 Hobie ownership chat; 180 ceramic fix; name change note
1:14:30 K-Spike kayak power pole preview
1:18:00 October fishing outlook
1:21:30 Interview workload & what’s coming
1:24:30 Hosting change to Podbean & dynamic ads
1:28:45 Outro & subscribe CTA
Hi everyone, and welcome to The Bream Fishing Project. In this episode we’re off to Nelson on the Glenelg River reviewing the 2025 TT Glenelg Shire Bream Classic, brought to you by the Vic Bream Classics. This one was held on 21–22 June 2025. One of the things I like about the Vic Bream Classics is they have all the divisions — juniors, Big Bream, Best Bag — heaps to dig into. Roll the intros and let’s get straight into it.
What’s inside this episode:
• Why the Vic Bream Classics format shines (juniors, Big Bream, Best Bag and more).
• Full event stats: fish activity wheel, major bite windows and tides for both days.
• Division highlights.
• Interviews:
– Team Blackfin (3rd overall): Steve Wheeler on mudflats vs edges, vibes vs plastics, and managing perch by-catch.
– Team Nomad BKK (1st overall on countback): Peter Bouquet Jr on structure, vibes, prototype plastics, and straight-through light leaders.
The Collective (subscriber group):
Quick reminder: the Collective (private subscription group for The Bream Fishing Project) is focusing on grubs this month. We pick a lure or lure style, fish it as a group, then reconvene to compare notes and dial it in together. There are a couple of exciting things coming in the next months (even Collective members don’t know yet).
Join or support the show: https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com
Event stats (as discussed on the show):
Dates: Saturday 21 June & Sunday 22 June 2025
Location: Nelson, Glenelg River
Saturday:
• Fish Activity Wheel: 47
• Major bite: 7:03–9:33
• Low tide: 1:04 AM @ 0.40
• High tide: 10:59 AM @ 0.71
Sunday:
• Fish Activity Wheel: 59
• Major bite: 7:58–10:28
• Low tide: 1:48 AM @ 0.34
• High tide: 11:19 AM @ 0.84
Division highlights (as discussed on the show):
• Sunline Best Bag: Team Sniper (Ray & Brandon Doman) — 5/5 for 5.005 kg
• Ecogear Big Bream: Team Sniper (Ray & Brandon Doman) — 1.345 kg
• Monster Movers: Team Weedless (Matty Katon & Byron Blaine) — 5 for 3.325 kg on Day 2, up 23 places to 28th
• Junior Angler: Jarvis Kent (Team Apollo Bay Fishing Charters) — finished 8th
• Miller Rods prize: Team Slow Rollers (Darren Lock & Quentin) — 1.625
Full results are at: https://vicbreamclassics.com.au
Interview 1 — Team Blackfin (3rd overall)
Weights:
• Day 1: 5 for 3.580 kg (Big Bream 1.27)
• Day 2: 5 for 4.025 kg (Big Bream 1.175)
• Total: 7.605 kg (3rd)
Notes from Steve Wheeler:
• Prefish: launched at Dry Creek; checked rock-wall edges, reeds and mudflats. A 36 fork fish on a mudflat set the plan.
• Boat placement let them reach reeds in ~0.5–0.75 m and the drop into ~4 m; picked fish in that 4 m zone.
• Day 1 edges were quiet; moving wider with vibes (Cranka Vibe, Bivi Vibe) and small hops in 2.5–4 m produced bites. Added a heavy “muss” bite for an upgrade. Lots of perch mixed in.
• Day 2 similar program on mudflats with one early ~36 fork and a bag of 32–33s.
• Leader thinking: prefers thin-diameter 6 lb (and 8 lb on structure).
Prize: $1,500 split.
Interview 2 — Team Nomad BKK (1st overall, on countback)
Weights:
• Day 1: 5 for 3.980 kg (kicker 1.145)
• Day 2: 5 for 4.015 kg
• Total: 7.995 kg (tied with 2nd; won on Day-1 bag countback)
Prefish & pattern (Peter Bouquet Jr):
• Marked fish on Active Target (T1) before light; first ski zone edges dropping to 3–4 m with trees and rock.
• Early bites on a prototype Nomad soft plastic (natural/brown-orange) and ZX35 vibe (black, assist hooks).
• Structure (shacks & poles) produced 600–800 g fish on 1/16 hidden-weight jigs; saved it for comp.
Day 1:
• Two early ~700 g fish on the prototype plastic on structure.
• Taylor Strait: Cranka Crab (olive) on 3 lb straight-through for ~750 g.
• Donovans: mixed EP/bream school on side scan; heavier plastic (1/12) delivered a 1.145 kg kicker.
• Finished bag near the mouth; ZX-style vibe (black) with assist pushed through weed.
Day 2:
• More pressure and tentative bites.
• A foam/eddy on a pole produced three quick fish (~850 g, ~750 g, ~700 g) on the prototype plastic with stingers.
• First ski zone: another solid ~750 g on plastic from an undercut edge.
• Donovans: targeted shadow lines on rock; Cranka Crab (black) on 3 lb straight-through sealed the fifth fish and upgraded a 29.5 cm.
• Lines/leaders: 6 lb braid; 3–4 lb leaders (and 3 lb straight-through with crabs) to keep bites coming in winter; softer, longer rods helped keep hooks pinned.
Prize: $3,750.
Tackle mentioned (from the show):
• Hardbodies: Spike 53 (matt prawn), various edge cranks
• Vibes: Cranka Vibe, Bivi Vibe, ZX35 (black with assist)
• Crabs: Cranka Crab (olive, black); slow crawl; 3 lb straight-through noted
• Soft plastics: Prototype Nomad plastic (natural/brown-orange), hidden-weight jigs (1/16, 1/12), stinger hooks on Day 2
• Leaders: 3–4 lb (straight-through for crabs) up to 6–8 lb on structure; emphasis on thin diameters
• Electronics: Active Target (T1), side scan to find mixed EP/bream schools
Thanks & credits (from the show):
• Vic Bream Classics and Bill for running great events and varied venues.
• Team mates, travel crews and fellow anglers for the laughs and friendly rivalry.
• Nomad & BKK mentioned by winners.
• Full results: https://vicbreamclassics.com.au
Call to action:
Enjoyed the episode or learned something? Please subscribe and rate on your favourite podcast app.
Join the Collective for early access, private live streams, challenges and bonus content: https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com
NSW Tournament Series – Round 4 (Lake Macquarie) | 15 June 2025 Welcome to The Bream Fishing Project. This episode covers Round 4 of the New South Wales Tournament Series held at Lake Macquarie (15 June 2025). After a quick housekeeping note about upcoming dynamic ads and a behind-the-scenes hosting platform change (no change to your listening experience—please reach out if you hit any issues), we dive straight into the results and angler interviews.
Results covered Winners – Team Stratosphere (solo): 5/5 for 4.84 kg, including Big Bream of 1.40 kg.
Guest: David Masters (how he located fish, why he stayed shallow with blades, coping with gear issues on comp day).
3rd – Team Flat Knacky: 5/5 for 4.26 kg, Big Bream 1.23 kg.
Guest: Steve Cole (no-plan plan, hot-water outlet start, deep cockle-weed gutter, steady upgrades).
Tactics & takeaways (as discussed by guests) Location & approach: Shallow blading near edges/cockle beds (Masters); deeper gutter with cockle weed and bait present (Cole).
Lures mentioned: Crankbaits; Z-Man Slim SwimZ; Z-Man Prawn (motor oil); Gulp Prawn (camo); metal blades.
By-catch & moments: Flathead runs, an 80 cm jewfish on a 2" prawn, and even an accidental hammerhead hookup near the boat.
Lines/leaders (Masters): 6 lb braid with 3–6 lb leader, subtle bites, careful drag management.
Tides & bite window (host notes) Fish Activity Wheel: 57
Minor bite period: 9:17–10:47 a.m.
Low tide: 5:36 a.m. (0.26 m)
High tide: 11:15 a.m. (0.77 m)
Housekeeping You may hear the return of ads—now dynamically inserted so deals, lure releases, and tournament info stay current. If you’re in the fishing industry and want to get involved, reach out for a chat.
Support & community Want to go deeper or support the show? Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective for community chats and extra content: breamfishingproject.supercast.com. After joining, please message me on Facebook so I can link you to the private group.
If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and rate the show on your podcast app. Thanks for listening!
Hobie Kayak BREAM — Round 5, Georges River | 14–15 June (Anaconda Round) One of Andrew’s favourites! We’re on the Georges River in Sydney for Hobie Kayak BREAM Series — Round 5 (Sat–Sun, 14–15 June), proudly round-sponsored by Anaconda. We cover bite windows, tides, divisions and then dive into angler interviews with the podium—plus a shout-out to The Bream Fishing Project Collective crew for putting on the enhanced sausage sanga BBQ all weekend. 💪
Results & Guests 1st — Mitchell Taylor (6 fish, 4.91 kg | Day 1: 2.19, Day 2: 2.72) — Anaconda Big Bream 1.18 kg
Finds a mid-river “hump”/rack-style structure and bridges; rotates metal vibes and Cranka Crab presentations for constant upgrades.
2nd — Jason Marshall (6 fish, 4.75 kg | 2.57 + 2.18)
Smart call on safety and conditions; mixes Cranka Crab + Mussel on Captain Cook’s Bridge and makes the long haul to Cooks River for a flurry of keepers.
3rd — Mohamed “Mick” Farage (6 fish, 4.56 kg | 2.42 + 2.14)
Versatile game: pontoons → deep blades → Como Bridge pylons → moored boats. Standouts: Cranka Crab UV, Ecogear VX40 (439) on 4–6 lb setups.
Divisions & Notables Anaconda Big Bream: Mitchell Taylor — 1.18 kg
Monster Mover / Big Bag: Blake Partington — 3.31 kg (Sun); Blake also weighed a 1.04 kg fish on Saturday
Youth: Riley Whelan — 3.60 kg
Women: Fiona Johnson — 1.90 kg
Masters: Raymond Cooper — 3.52 kg
First Timers: Kevin Nguyen — 1.30 kg
Conditions (as discussed on-air) Saturday (Fish Activity 68)
• Minor: 8:41–10:11 a.m. • Major: 1:07–3:37 p.m.
• Low 4:41 (0.21 m) • High 10:37 (1.02 m)
Sunday (Fish Activity 55)
• Minor: 9:21–10:21 a.m.
• Low 5:26 (0.19 m) • High 11:28 (1.03 m)
Tackle & Techniques Mentioned Hard/Soft: Cranka Crab (UV/XL), Mussel, Ecogear VX40 “439”, metal vibes (Infeet/“metal vibes”), Gulp Crabby, Sprat 75, deep cranks.
Structure: Como & Captain Cook’s bridges, Cooks River, moored boats (hulls & blocks), pontoons/wharves, shaded edges, mid-river “hump/rack” piece.
Rigs/Lines: 4 lb straight-through for blades; 6–8 lb leader around pylons/boats; add belly weight to crabs (⅛) to pin them in current; cast up-current and let presentations track down the pylon face.
Community Note Huge thanks to The Bream Fishing Project Collective members for funding & running the weekend BBQ (Jamie & Andy—legends). Also: yes, CCs on chip sambos… minds were changed. 😄
Early access & extras: Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective for early releases, live challenge sessions, and bonus content: breamfishingproject.supercast.com
Instagram: @thebreamfishingproject
WA BREAM Series — Boat Round 2 (Peel/Mandurah) | 15 June 2025 We’re off to Western Australia to recap WA BREAM Series — Boat Round 2 on the Peel/Mandurah system (Sunday 15 June 2025). Andrew breaks down bite windows, tides and the winning patterns before rolling into angler interviews with the top three teams.
Results & Guests 1st — Team Stinger (4.380 kg, Big Bream 1.27 kg):
Alex Griesdorf & Ben Oaks detail a canals bite that shifted from Z-Man grubs early to brim prawn (Decoy Worm5/offset) as conditions changed, with last-minute upgrades sealing the win.
2nd — Team B1 & B2 (4.050 kg, Big Bream 1.62 kg):
Joseph & Jenny Gardner on a four-fish bag anchored by a 1.62 kg Big Bream. No pre-fish; methodical work on lower-Murray snags, brim prawn + Decoy Worm5 on 6–8 lb leaders, shaded timber, and bird-sign clues.
3rd — Team Dragon (3.740 kg):
Bill Bland (with Rob) milked bridge pylons, mixing Gulp Crabby on 1/16–1/32 jigheads and River2Sea Baby Vibes. Smart boat handling around wood vs concrete pylons delivered a near-kilo average.
Conditions (as discussed) Fish Activity Wheel: 56
Minor bite: 9:42–11:12 a.m.
Tides: High 12:20 p.m. (0.64 m); Low 11:44 p.m. (0.28 m)
Tackle & Techniques Mentioned Brim prawn/weedless (Decoy Worm5), Z-Man Grub 2.5", Gulp Crabby, River2Sea Baby Vibe, Hurricane prawn; 6–8 lb leaders; bridge pylons, canals, shaded snags; patient bites and deliberate boat positioning to pull fish clear.
Thanks (from the anglers) Huge appreciation to the event volunteers/organisers and series sponsors who keep WA comps running.
Early access & extras: Get episodes early + live challenge sessions—join The Bream Fishing Project Collective: breamfishingproject.supercast.com
Instagram: @thebreamfishingproject
Episode 151 — September 2025 Monthly Report with Brett Geddes 🎣
In this month’s Bream Fishing Project Monthly Report, I catch up with Brett Geddes to dive into what’s been happening on the water across the country. We unpack the latest tournaments, explore new techniques, and share insights from Brett’s incredible sessions — including some big perch, whiting, and bream encounters you’ll want to hear about.
We cover:
🏆 Tournament updates across the country, including Wallaga Lake and other key rounds
🎣 The latest Collective Challenge — focusing on curly-tail grubs and how to rig them for success
🦀 Gear talk: Jackall Drift Crab Mini, Blue Lip Baits Micro Mussel, and Hurricane Sprat 85
🔹 Brett’s 92-fish session, tips on lure selection, and when to use free-rig and drop-shot techniques
😂 A lighter moment with Brett’s “What Cheeses Me Off” rant — toilet paper logistics included!
📰 Updates from the Bream Fishing Project Collective, plus what’s coming next
If you want early access to episodes, bonus content, and the chance to join monthly live streams where we break down tactics and techniques, check out The Bream Fishing Project Collective here:
🌐 https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com
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Welcome back to The Bream Fishing Project! In this episode, we head to Tuggerah Lakes for the Action Fishing Tournament held on May 10, 2025. It was an incredibly tight competition, with podium spots decided on countback and some big fish hitting the decks early in the session.
Joining host Andrew Death (2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion) are the top three finishers from the round:
🥇 Rick King – 1st Place – 109.5cm
🥈 Ryan Honeybrook – 2nd Place – 107.5cm (on countback)
🥉 Aaron Enright – 3rd Place – 107.5cm (on countback)
In this episode, we break down the strategies, lure choices, and critical bite windows that helped these anglers find success in challenging conditions. Rick and Ryan even jump on together for a lively chat about fishing side-by-side, swapping tips, and chasing down those metre-plus totals.
Highlights in This Episode: Tightest top-three finish of the season — countback decides 2nd & 3rd!
Why shallow cranks, Pro Lure Shallows, and motor oil colours dominated the flats.
Key techniques for fishing weed edges and working bridges effectively.
Insights into the major bite period between 8:36 AM and 11:06 AM.
How the leaders handled the long tom problem and maximised their chances at the right time.
Behind-the-scenes laughs as Rick, Ryan, and Aaron share stories from the day.
Episode Guests Rick King – 1st Place Winner
Ryan Honeybrook – 2nd Place
Aaron Enright – 3rd Place
Sponsors & Shoutouts Big thanks to our ongoing supporters and local legends who keep these tournaments thriving:
HWS Hobie Kayaks & Accessories
Fishin.com.au
Podium Marine Wraps
Local tackle shops, including Tackle Addiction and Hot Tackle
Support the brands that support the show!
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🎧 Whether you're a competitive bream angler or just love learning from the pros, this episode is packed with tips, tactics, and laughs from one of the tightest events of the season.
We’re back in the fast boats on the Tweed River, NSW, for the final ABT qualifier of 2025—two wind-and-rain-soaked days that still produced cracking fishing, a first-time boater champion, and both boater and non-boater Angler of the Year stories.
Non-Boaters
1st – Lance Marsh (2.975 kg): Methodical and calm across bridges, walls and the famed Blue Hole; mixed Z-Man GrubZ (motor oil), Cranka Crab, and plastics to stack steady upgrades and claim his second tour win.
2nd – Grant Painter (2.89 kg): Day-one damage on Cranka Crab over Kennedy Drive reef, then switched gears on Day 2 with unweighted Aquas and Gulp Crabby on bridges and walls to hang on for the podium.
3rd – Nathan Booth (2.730 kg) —and 2025 Non-Boater AOY: Versatile across deep rock edges and mid-river rubble with Hurricane Sprat Hybrid 85s (bloodworm tail), grubs on 1/6–1/4 oz heads, and Cranka Crabs. Light leaders (3–4 lb) and smart current angles were key.
Boaters
1st – Joe Darmody (5.540 kg total, incl. 3.035 kg Day 2 & big bream ~1.335kg): A clutch Day-2 mega bream off the exposed M1 reef line sealed it. Smart tide calls, precise crankbaiting (Jackall Chubby Brown Suji) along shallow rock and man-made walls, and opportunistic Aquas around structure turned four fish into a match-winning limit.
2nd – Mark Healey (4.935 kg) & back-to-back Boater AOY (497 pts): Classic Healey consistency—deep structure rotations, Cranka Crab on reefs/bridge pylons, and selective crankbait runs. Forward-facing sonar (Active Target 2) helped pick off better schools without over-fishing dead water.
3rd – Ben Cronk (4.680 kg): In his first ABT boater start, leaned on bigger profiles (MMD Soft Prawn 60/75 rigged on heavier jigheads) to glide down rock faces and draw quality bites; finished with tidy back-to-back limits.
Patterns & Tackle at a Glance
Locations: Kennedy Drive reef, M1 bridge, deep foreshore walls, Blue Hole.
Tides: Early bites around the run-in; quality windows on the turn and first of the run-out.
Lures: Cranka Crab (brown/olive tones), Jackall Chubby (Brown Suji), Hurricane Sprat Hybrid 85, MMD Soft Prawn, Z-Man GrubZ (motor oil), Gulp Crabby, Aquas.
Rigs: 1/6–1/4 oz jigheads to beat heavy flow; 3–6 lb leaders; keep hooks razor-sharp—treble swaps mattered on the tougher Day 2.
Plus: playlists are now live—jump into our Tweed bundle on Spotify to binge every Tweed-system episode ahead of the Grand Final prep.
Enjoy the interviews, the tactics, and the tales—from first-cast hookups to that once-in-a-season lunchtime kilo-plus bream that changed everything.
August 2025 Monthly Report – The Bream Fishing Project Podcast
In this August Monthly Report, Andrew takes you through a big month in the bream fishing scene, bringing together tournament results, Collective news, and his own on-water experiences. It’s a packed episode that reflects on where things stand as we head into the final stretch of the year.
You’ll hear about standout results from recent events, including who placed where and the conditions anglers faced on the day. Andrew gives updates from The Bream Fishing Project Collective, including the current lure challenges, member contributions, and upcoming live sessions. He also shares what’s been working for him personally, and some of the lessons learned from time on the water this month.
The conversation covers the latest with popular lures like the Squidgy Bug and Crush City Trickster, as well as the role they’ve played in recent sessions. You’ll get a clear snapshot of how anglers are approaching different conditions and how community feedback is shaping the Collective’s challenges going forward.
If you’ve been following the comps, want to keep up with the latest trends, or just enjoy the monthly wrap of news and stories from Australia’s bream fishing community, this episode is for you.
🎣 Lures mentioned in this episode: Squidgy Bug, Crush City Trickster.
🎣 NSW Bream Tournament Recap – St Georges Basin | The Bream Fishing Project Podcast
In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, host Andrew Death covers Round 3 of the NSW Tournament Series, held on the legendary St Georges Basin, launching out of Sussex Inlet.
Across two days of competitive bream fishing, anglers battled calm conditions, an explosion of jellyfish, and the pressure of a stacked leaderboard. Despite the challenges, the top teams delivered impressive bags, showing exactly how to catch big bream in tough conditions.
🎣 Featured Interviews and Key Insights:
Team Shiano Nevermind (3rd Place) – Wal discusses adapting to jellyfish-filled waters, how they found a late-day bite window, and their go-to lures and techniques, including the Ecogear ZX30 and vibes.
Team Rise Above Plumbing (2nd Place) – Long-time tournament anglers Mark and Glen break down their mixed lure approach using Daiwa Reflex, Gulp Shrimp, and Juro-style lures, plus the impact of moon phases and water clarity.
Team Hooked Up DTH Plumbing (1st Place) – Daniel and Steven explain how they secured the win without pre-fishing, using Hurricane SPRs, shallow crankbaits, and LiveScope sonar to target fish around cockle weed and edges.
🎯 What you’ll learn:
How to target bream using soft plastics, vibes, crankbaits, and hidden weight rigs
Tactics for fishing St Georges Basin in tough conditions
Gear setup for tournament bream fishing: rods, reels, lines, and leaders
Tips for deepwater bream fishing, using sonar and sounders effectively
🧰 Lures & Gear Mentioned:
Daiwa Reflex
Hurricane SPR
Gulp 2.75” Shrimp
Ecogear ZX30
Pro Lure Cranks
PowerPro Braid and Sunline Leaders
🙌 Shoutouts to:
Daiwa Australia – for the Reflex lure that turned the tide
Fishin.com.au – for gear and community support
Zeus Tackle – supporting Team Hooked Up
Rise Above Plumbing – tournament sponsor and second-place team
Casting for a Cause – charity bream competitions supporting children’s hospitals
In this episode, we’re recapping Round One of the 2025 Western Australian Tournament Anglers Kayak Bream Series, held on April 12–13 on the iconic Blackwood River. The event saw top anglers adapt quickly after a late venue change and battle it out under excellent bite conditions, with the river fishing brilliantly across both days.
🥇 Joseph Gardner takes us through his winning tactics and how he bagged 3.91 kg over two days using a combination of Blue Lip Baits’ Pygmy Mussels and Brim Prawns. He explains how key locations and wind direction played a major role, along with his rigging choices on six and eight-pound leaders.
🥈 Ben Oakes gives an in-depth look at how his upgraded triple-sounder setup and dedicated side scan mapping helped him pinpoint productive drop-offs and structure. He shares his successful lure rotation of Slim Swims, Dunks, Aqua Mussels, and Baby Vibes, and talks us through the heartbreaking big fish that got away.
🥉 Paul Burton rounds out the podium with smart use of tried-and-true Slim Swims on his favourite banks. He talks about adjusting his jighead weight to maintain feel, and the importance of early bags and key upgrades that ultimately landed him a spot on the podium.
We also touch on:
Tide and bite periods from the Fish Activity Wheel (93/96 rating days!)
What worked and what didn’t in a system filled with bream
The Collective’s free rig and drop shot challenge update
How bream behaviour changed across the river with current, wind, and pressure
And why balance beams and barnacles made all the difference
🏆 Prize sponsors included:
Shimano Australia
Pro Lure Australia (featuring the new Hybrid Shrimp)
Atomic Lures, Rapala, TT Lures, and Force Lures
Special mention to Michelle from Getaway Outdoors Kelmscott and Kanga Brew Coffee Van for supporting the event
🎧 Subscribe now and don’t miss a beat:
👉 breamfishingproject.supercast.com — early access, bonus episodes, and monthly live streams via The Bream Fishing Project Collective.
🎁 Ask about our new Junior Memberships or Father’s Day gift subscriptions — just message Andrew directly!
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📸 Big thanks to Dave Bennett for event photography and WA Tournament Anglers for running a great comp despite location hurdles.
📍Whether you're a comp angler or weekend warrior, this episode is packed with gold — from lure technique breakdowns to reading water and structure.
The Bream Fishing Project: Australia’s #1 podcast dedicated to helping you catch more bream on lures, with tips, tricks, and tournament insight from some of the best in the game.
In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we’re back at Foster for Round 3 of the Hobie Fishing Series, held on 12–13 April, proudly supported by sponsor Pro Lure. Host Andrew Death not only fished this round but brings you firsthand insights and interviews with the top anglers from the weekend.
First up, Ryan Honeybrook, who secured his first Hobie podium with a third-place finish, shares a detailed account of his strategy fishing the Forster racks and the breakwall, how he adapted across both days, the key baits he used—including Aquas and Crabby—and how guidance from his mate at Stoke Lures influenced his approach.
Next, we hear from current Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion Jack Gammie, who claimed second place with an impressively consistent performance. Jack breaks down his tactics targeting shallow rock bars and racks, his lure selection featuring Pro Lure shallow cranks and Aquas, and adjustments he made to leader and presentation to suit conditions.
Finally, Luke Rogan—who backed up his 2024 win with another first-place finish in 2025—details his fearless style of skull-dragging big fish from gnarly racks using heavy tackle, bent minnows and crank crabs, and how he managed fish and spots across both days. Luke reflects on how minor changes in conditions between Day 1 and Day 2 influenced his result and shares what this repeat win at Foster means to him.
This episode provides a wealth of insights for anglers chasing bream in racks, rock bars, and oyster leases and delivers great stories from some of Australia’s top tournament competitors.
👉 If you’d like even more fishing content, early access to episodes, and exclusive monthly live streams, join The Bream Fishing Project Collective at breamfishingproject.supercast.com.
In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we recap Round 1 of the 2025 WA Bream Series, held at stunning Walpole in the Nornalup Inlet. It was a tough two-day boat round under challenging conditions, featuring a four-fish bag limit and a two-week prefish ban that tested the skills of all competitors.
We catch up with two top teams from the event:
Callum Dowell and Oliver Frank from Team Don’t Blush Bream, who finished third. Callum, founder of Outback Bruma Baits, shares fascinating insights into his lure designs, customizing colors to match local shellfish, and the importance of replicating natural profiles. He and Oliver detail their tournament strategy, including an impressive Day 2 turnaround driven by adapting techniques—from bent minnows to Hurricane Sprats on resin heads, including a subtle but critical adjustment with suspend dots that helped them secure upgrades. Oliver, in just his first tournament, even talks about landing a 50 cm bream and fishing the event with his uncle, Callum.
Joseph Gardner and Jenny Gardner from Team B1 & B2, who finished second. Joseph explains why they targeted the scenic Deep River instead of the more familiar Franklin River. They share a breakdown of their successful day-one approach that put them in the lead, including fishing bent minnows deep among snags, precise casting to structure, and carefully rigged Brim Prawns and Pygmy Mussels. Joseph discusses their second-day challenges as conditions and pressure changed, the need to adapt techniques, and Jenny’s crucial contributions to filling the bag when the bite got tough.
We also recap the winning performance by Daniel and Mitch Perella, who mounted an extraordinary comeback on Day 2 with a massive four-fish bag for 3.28 kg, including an 870-gram kicker fish—taking the win by over 1.2 kg.
Bite Periods and Tides Recap:
Saturday: Major bite period at 4:43–7:13 AM, low tide at 7:16 AM (0.17 m), high tide at 8:48 AM (0.35 m).
Sunday: Major bite period at 5:36–8:06 AM, low tide at 7:24 AM (0.17 m), high tide at 9:51 AM (0.36 m).
Throughout the interviews we explore gear choices, rigging techniques, key adjustments made under pressure, and tournament highlights that illustrate the creativity and skill required to succeed in this tricky fishery.
🎣 Sponsors & Acknowledgments:
Thanks as always to our sponsors who make The Bream Fishing Project possible:
HWS Hobie Kayaks & Accessories
Fishing.com.au
Podium Marine Wraps
Big thanks to the WA Bream Series organizers and supporting sponsors, including Getaway Outdoors, ZipBaits, and local tackle shops, for their work supporting bream fishing in Western Australia.
👉 Subscribe for more:
If you enjoyed this episode and want to improve your bream fishing, subscribe to The Bream Fishing Project wherever you listen to podcasts — and consider joining The Bream Fishing Project Collective for exclusive content, monthly live streams, and deeper dives into the techniques and tactics that help you catch more fish.
In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we recap all the action from the Action Fishing Tournament’s Pittwater Round, held on March 23, 2025—a challenging day that tested even the most seasoned anglers.
We hear from the top three placegetters, each with their own fascinating stories:
3rd place: Nelson Guerrera, in his very first tournament, shares how he overcame nerves and no pre-fish to secure a podium with boats, pontoons and carefully placed crab casts.
2nd place: Jason Reid reveals his approach to reading structure and fighting hard-won fish in tough conditions, building on his win in the previous round.
1st place: Jamie Dempsey claims back-to-back victories with a measured approach, key lure changes, and an eye for detail that made all the difference.
But stay tuned—Andrew also shares his own incredible story from the day… let’s just say that after struggling all day to find fish, the final moments of the comp delivered an unexpected twist.
For anglers looking to improve their results and fast-track their learning, join The Bream Fishing Project Collective for exclusive live streams, content and community discussions: breamfishingproject.supercast.com
This episode is packed with insights for anyone who loves kayak bream fishing, from beginners through to competitors looking to hone their edge.
🏆 Samaki BREAM Queensland Open 2025 – A Battle on the Gold Coast & Moreton Bay | Full Recap + Angler Interviews
Welcome back to The Bream Fishing Project! In this episode, we dive deep into the 2025 Samaki BREAM Queensland Open, run by ABT and contested across two iconic Queensland fisheries: the Gold Coast canals (June 28) and Moreton Bay (June 29). This is the third year we’ve covered this prestigious event on the podcast, and we’re starting to see patterns, standout performers, and unforgettable moments emerge across the timeline.
With the event held under ABT’s fully app-based format, the focus was on results, tactics, and making the most of limited time on the water—and the anglers delivered. From motor breakdowns and monster fish to strategy shifts and tight leaderboard battles, this one has everything.
🎣 1st Place – Luke Rogan
Luke secured his first Queensland Open title with a monster 4.676kg bag from the Gold Coast on Day 1, anchored by a 40.5cm fork-length beast. He talks through his gear choices, including a heavy rotation of edge rods, zip baits, and crushed crab lures. Day 2 proved challenging in the bay, but a smart decision to finish in the canals helped lock in the win. Listen in for a raw, honest account of landing (and losing) trophy fish—and how 10 years of effort finally paid off.
🎣 2nd Place – Bernard Kong
Bernard’s story is one of pure grit and adaptability. After suffering a motor failure on Day 1, he fished the entire session on electric power alone and still came in 5th overnight. With support from mates in the community, he borrowed a boat for Day 2 and made the most of his time on the water, targeting the front ends of canals and fishing slowly with zip baits and crabby presentations. He credits the slower pace—and a couple of clutch fish in the final minutes—for one of his best results to date.
🎣 3rd Place – Mick Slade
Mick delivered a consistent two-day performance, weighing 3.317kg on Saturday and 2.8kg on Sunday for a total of 6.117kg. In this chat, Mick runs through a diverse bag of techniques, including crankbaiting pontoons, fishing Pro Lure prawns and crabs, and using topwater in the canals. It’s a classic tale of persistence, a bit of tech trouble with the app, and a well-earned podium finish.
🕘 We also cover bite periods, tide charts, and moon phases, and look back at past Queensland Opens from 2023 and 2024 to compare bag sizes and event conditions. Whether you’re chasing trends or just want to hear great stories from elite tournament anglers, this episode delivers.
🎧 Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective
Want early access to episodes like this, bonus content, and exclusive live streams breaking down lures, techniques, and results in detail? Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective. It’s your chance to learn faster, fish smarter, and be part of a growing Australian bream fishing community. Subscriptions start for less than the price of a single lure per month.
🧠 Recent topics in the Collective include:
Using 2 & 3 lb straight-through fluorocarbon
Mastering chubby-style lures and crankbait techniques
Crabs, mussels, and hybrid baits
🎣 Proudly supported by:
HWS Hobie Fishing – For all your kayak fishing needs
fishin.com.au – Australia's online fishing tackle destination
Podium Marine Wraps – Premium boat wraps and custom marine branding
Thanks for tuning in!
If you enjoyed the episode, leave a rating or review and share it with your fishing mates. See you next Tuesday on The Bream Fishing Project.
🎣 July Monthly Report – Swains Reef Adventures, Tournament Rundown & the Free Rig Challenge
In this packed episode of The Bream Fishing Project, Andrew Death is joined once again by Brett Geddes for the July Monthly Report — and there's plenty to cover! From offshore adventures to grassroots tackle experimentation, this episode dives deep into what's been happening across the bream fishing scene.
Topics covered include:
• A full tournament calendar rundown for July across NSW, QLD, WA, and the ABT
• Brett’s first-hand insight into Gippsland’s booming perch and bream numbers thanks to stocking efforts
• Andrew’s Swains Reef trip recap with ET — including big sharks, coral trout, GTs, and one unforgettable enhanced sausage sandwich
• The launch of the Collective’s new challenge: drop shot and free rig fishing, plus Brett’s honest first impressions
• Massive session recaps with hundreds of perch and bream landed in recent trips
• A heartfelt tribute to Victorian angler Dougie Fair
• Giveaway results for new Collective subscribers featuring a prize pack from Force Lures
• This month’s featured record: Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young
🎧 Subscribe to The Bream Fishing Project Collective to unlock bonus episodes, live streams, early access to interviews, and exclusive giveaways:
👉 https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com
Thanks to our sponsors:
Hobie Fishing, fishin.com.au, Podium Marine Wraps, and Force Lures.
🎧 ABT Foster Round 2 Recap – Crabs, Grubs & Gutsy Calls: AOY Battle Heats Up | The Bream Fishing Project
Back-to-back Foster comps! In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we return to the stage of last week’s action for Round 2 of the 2025 Daiwa BREAM Series. The fish had seen it all. Pressure was up, the weather was finally calm, and the Angler of the Year race was down to two names: Mark Crompton and Mark Healey.
Six top anglers break down their tournament—how they adapted, adjusted, and pushed through fatigue and traffic on the water to land the right fish at the right time. From prawn bites and dirty water grinds to dramatic last-minute upgrades and technical rack extractions, this episode is full of insights from both new faces and seasoned veterans.
🎙 Interviews in this episode:
🟡 Drew Reid (3rd, Non-Boater) – In just his first ABT events, Drew takes us through six days on Foster including adapting to four completely different boaters. He reflects on how each taught him something new—from grub fishing with Scott Wilson to prawn presentations with John Glover. His comp ended with a calm, clutch finish using Daiwa prawns and a rolling crank in tight water.
🟡 Lance Marsh (2nd, Non-Boater) – Lance shares his evolution from a double donut in his first ABT four years ago to now bagging out early and calmly upgrading his way to second place. His consistent approach—casting Z-Man prawns at every pole he could see—paid off, as did smart decisions to fish hard while the tide was still high.
🟡 Mark Street (1st, Non-Boater) – An emotional win. Mark reflects on slow starts, exacting lure changes, and a deep-diving chubby upgrade right before weigh-in that helped him edge the win by just 20 grams. His honest recap includes the challenges of casting accuracy, changing hook weights, and the power of staying composed under pressure.
🟡 Paul Langley (3rd, Boater) – Paul returns for his second third-place finish in a week on the same waterway. He opens up on how he used clean water, wall structure, and subtle adjustments in presentation to deliver results. His use of active target and careful spot management helped both himself and his non-boaters finish high.
🟡 Chris Smith (2nd, Boater) – Chris reveals how a new rock wall he’d never fished before produced fish every day of both Foster rounds. He details how fish were striking crankbaits at the rod tip and explains how simplicity and confidence helped him commit to the same lures all week—earning a strong runner-up finish.
🟡 Mark Crompton (1st, Boater) – The win that sets up the AOY decider. Mark talks about risky choices that paid off, pushing into racks others wouldn’t touch, and the importance of speed rigging and line angles. The Daiwa Bait Junkie Grub once again played a starring role, and Mark shares why it remains one of the most underrated—but deadly—lures in comp fishing.
🌊 Tides & Bite Periods:
Saturday: 55 activity rating. Major bite: 7:10–9:40 AM. High tide 5:34 AM (1.24 m), Low at 11:41 AM (0.41 m)
Sunday: 65 activity rating. Major bite: 7:52–10:22 AM. High tide 6:19 AM (1.22 m), Low at 12:16 PM (0.40 m)
(Note: Tides inside Foster lagged up to 2 hours.)
🎣 If you're enjoying the podcast...
Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective, a subscriber-only community for anglers who want more from their time on the water. Members get early access to episodes, live group Q&As, exclusive content, and a chance to be part of monthly lure challenges.
👉 breamfishingproject.supercast.com
💥 Thanks to our sponsors:
Hobie Fishing, fishin.com.au, Podium Marine Wraps, and lure brands featured in this episode including Daiwa, Z-Man, Cranka, Karisma, and Bait Junkie.
🎥 Mentioned: Drew Reid’s YouTube channel – Moment of Stoke. Just search “Moment of Stoke Bream” on YouTube.
🎧 Hosted by 2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion, Andrew Death.