In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to one of Andrew’s favourite waterways — Forster — for the NSW Tournament Series, held July 12–13, 2025. This round had it all: clear weather, light winds, and a bite period that lined up perfectly with the fish catches. Andrew breaks down the tides and bite periods for both days, then dives straight into detailed angler interviews from the top of the leaderboard. You’ll hear how each team approached the racks, what lures worked, and how subtle changes in technique made all the difference. 🎣 Top 3 Teams 🥇 1st Place – Team Stratosphere: David Masters David backed up his Lake Mac win with another impressive result, going back-to-back with 7.46kg over two days. He fished solo and dominated the rock wall using small crabs on light braid-to-leader setups. 🥈 2nd Place – Team Tackle Addiction / Dizzy Scent: Rick King & Ryan Honeybrook. The pair christened their new Triton 165 bass boat in style, finishing with 6.08kg and landing the only kilo fish of the comp. Their key baits were Aqua and Gulp Crabby soft plastics, fished precisely through the racks. 🥉 3rd Place – Team Skeeter: Hayden Wadsworth & Chris Smith A consistent performance across both days with 5.71kg, working grubs and crankbaits through the racks. The duo capitalised on calmer conditions after recent floods, fine-tuning their approach with Bait Junkie 2.5” grubs in “Mud Blood”. 🌊 Bite Period Highlights Saturday: Minor 7:08–8:38 AM | Major 11:46 AM–2:16 PM Sunday: Minor 7:45–9:15 AM | Major 12:38–3:08 PM Fish activity aligned perfectly with these windows — worth noting for anyone fishing Foster in similar conditions. 🧠 Techniques & Tactics Grubs & Crabbies dominated across both days Rack edges and outer poles produced quality fish Key leaders: 8–12lb fluorocarbon Common thread: patience, precision, and timing around bite periods 🙌 Thanks & Shoutouts Big thanks to Grant Oliver and the NSW Tournament Series crew for running another great event. And congratulations to Collective members who made podiums across recent comps — including Rick King in this one! 🔗 Connect & Support Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective for live sessions, deep-dive challenges, and bonus content: breamfishingproject.supercast.com Follow on Instagram: @thebreamfishingproject #BreamFishing #Foster #BreamTournaments #LureFishing #TheBreamFishingProject #NSWTournamentSeries #BaitJunkie #CrabbyLures #FishingPodcast #KayakFishing #EstuaryFishing #RackFishing #FishingAustralia
EP164 — November Monthly Report w/ Brett Geddes: In this month’s report, Andrew is joined again by Brett Geddes to break down November across the bream fishing scene. They talk tournaments, upcoming finals, squid sessions, flathead on blades, old lures making a return, and what’s been happening around the traps. This one has plenty of laughs, stories and good info if you like your bream fishing news, reports and tackle chat. Episode Highlights ✅ Squid mission success ✅ Flathead talk ✅ Old-school lures making a comeback ✅ Tournament scene updates ✅ What’s been happening on the water ✅ A few tangents and the usual laughs Mentioned in the show: Tournaments and events Squid gear Flathead lures General conditions and reports If you enjoy the Monthly Report, hit like, subscribe, and drop a comment with what you’ve been catching or what you want covered next month. Join The Collective (early access, bonus shows, live streams): https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebreamfishingproject
Welcome back to The Bream Fishing Project—this is Part 2 of our ABT Grand Final 2025 wrap, the winner’s report with Mark “Crommo” Crompton. Across three days split between Marlo – Bemm River – Marlo, Crommo delivered a full 15-fish limit for 13.795 kg (as stated in the interview), with day bags called out in the chat including: Day 1 (Marlo): 5 for 4.430 kg Day 2 (Bemm River): 5 for 4.010 kg Day 3 (Marlo): 5 for 5.355 kg Inside this hour you’ll hear (all straight from the interview): Mindset & game plan: staying calm, backing a tight zone, and choosing bag first over hero hunting. Reading the system in spawn: why he targeted transition water and used schools of salmon/EPs as a clue, not a distraction. Slow-motion presentations: letting prawn imitations soak for minutes until the ‘tick’. Lures & weights mentioned: Smash Baits/Roz prawn shapes and Hurricane Sprat 75 fork tail, commonly on 1/40–1/20–1/12 heads, swapping by depth, wind and salmon pressure; colours called out included “beer bottle/duro” (Smash Bait) and Machete/Cleaver (Hurricane). Terminal choices: BKK hooks on Daiwa Covert or Bait Junkie jig heads. Leaders & main line: ~3 rod lengths of 3-lb J-Thread Finesse to a 12-carrier PE (diameter-first thinking). Electronics & boat control: dual-view ActiveTarget (forward + perspective), Power-Poles for shallow anchoring when spot-lock wasn’t viable. Rods & reels he loves: the ultra-light old 7’3” “Geck” sticks, and Daiwa Exist/Tatula 2500 shallow spools. Product talk: first impressions of ShyneAway line mattifier—how he applies it and the simple “didn’t hurt me” verdict. A moment that matters: celebrating with his wife Dani and Alvy (“There’s my daddy—he just won a boat!”). The prize pack (as described): Ally Craft Bass Pro Series 530 with Mercury 150 Pro XS Racing, full Garmin kit with Force electric and LiveScope, Green Marine lithiums, on a Redco trailer—quoted at ~$95k total. Big thanks in the ep to: Steve Morgan & Nicole at ABT, and to sponsors/support mentioned by Mark: Daiwa, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rise Above Plumbing. If you enjoyed this, please follow/subscribe and leave a rating—it really helps. — Join The Collective (early access + live sessions & extras): breamfishingproject.supercast.com Instagram: @thebreamfishingproject Host: Andrew Death (2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion) Bullet Highlights (for quick skim in apps) Winner’s mindset: calm, bag-first strategy Where/why: transition zones during spawn Lures: Smash Baits/ prawn shapes & Hurricane Sprat 75 FT Weights: 1/40–1/20–1/12 depending on wind/depth/salmon Leader: ~3 rod lengths of 3-lb J-Thread Finesse Live imaging: forward + perspective; how he avoided spooking Boat control: Power-Poles > spot-lock on skinny flats Gear chat: BKK hooks, Daiwa Exist/Tatula, the featherweight 7’3” “Geck” Product: ShineAway line mattifier—how he applies it Family moment + prize pack (~$95k)
🎣 ABT 2025 Grand Final – Marlo & Bemm River | Non-Boater & Boater Podiums In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project Podcast, host Andrew Death kicks things off with a quick look back at the standout ABT winners from throughout the 2025 season, before diving into the action from the Daiwa BREAM Series Grand Final, held across Marlo and Bemm River in Victoria from October 14–16. Anglers faced shifting tides, strong winds, and testing conditions — but the country’s best still found ways to make it happen. This episode features the top three non-boaters and the third-placed boater, followed by ABT’s Steve Morgan, who finished second overall. Each guest shares their lures, retrieves, and tactical decisions that defined their Grand Final results. 🏆 Non-Boater Division 🥇 Samuel Rako – Four fish for 3.34 kg while fishing with Ian Nielsen and Scott Sauna. Samuel explains how listening to past podcast episodes helped him prepare, and how crank crabs, plastics, and Clone Prawns produced when the bite was tough. 🥈 Lance Marsh – Five fish for 3.20 kg using Z-Man Prawns, brown Chubbies, and Hybrid Shrimps. He breaks down the lure tweaks and patient retrieves that delivered late-day upgrades. 🥉 Chris Hokin – Four fish for 3.155 kg, including a key 1.25 kg bream on a Gulp Baby Prawn at Marlo, then switching to the Daiwa Hybrid Shrimp with Steve Morgan at Bemm River to finish his limit. 🚤 Boater Division 🥉 Mario Vukic – 12.37 kg across three days using bloodworm Wrigglers, VX35/40 blades, and Z-Man Grubs. Mario shares how he worked the sand-edge drifts, downsized to 2 lb fluoro, and relied on proven soft plastics for consistency. 🥈 Steve Morgan – 12.775 kg total, combining Garmin Perspective Mode and Humminbird Mega Live 2 to find scattered fish and tempt them with the Daiwa Hybrid Shrimp. Steve talks through live-sonar strategy and pays tribute to Nicole Smith and the ABT team behind the scenes. 🎧 Episode Highlights ABT 2025 Grand Final – Marlo & Bemm River recap Podium interviews: Samuel Rako, Lance Marsh, Chris Hokin, Mario Vukic & Steve Morgan Lures: Daiwa Hybrid Shrimp, Z-Man Prawns & Grubs, VX Blades, Bloodworm Wriggler Live-sonar tactics & tide-driven bite patterns Behind-the-scenes ABT insights from Steve Morgan 🎙️ Hosted by: Andrew Death 📍 Event: ABT BREAM Series 2025 Grand Final – Marlo & Bemm River 📆 Recorded: October 2025 👉 Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective for bonus content, live-stream replays & monthly challenges: breamfishingproject.supercast.com 📢 Next episode: Don’t miss the winner’s interview with Mark “Crommo” Crompton, coming up next on The Bream Fishing Project Podcast.
🎣 ABT Victorian Open – Gippsland Lakes (Oct 11–12 2025) | Winner: Dan Kent (13.419 kg) Episode Summary A huge Victorian Open at Gippsland Lakes with monster bags and wall-to-wall action. Andrew recaps event stats (tides, bite periods, weather) and then dives straight into angler interviews: winner Dan Kent (13.419 kg for 9 fish), 2nd Mitchell Blomquist (13.020 kg for 10 fish), and 4th Peter Breukel (12.008 kg for 10 fish). Hear how they located fish, the lures that did damage, how live imaging and sight-casting came together, and why rock, weed edges, and timing made all the difference. Andrew also shares a quick note about new sponsors and encourages listeners to support the brands that support the show — and to check out The Collective for upcoming challenges. 🗓️ Event Overview Event: ABT Victorian Open Venue: Gippsland Lakes Dates: Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 October 2025 Saturday: Fish Activity Wheel 46 | Minor Bite 7:57 – 9:27 a.m. | Low 5:21 a.m. (0.55 m) | High 12:13 p.m. (1.11 m) Sunday: Fish Activity Wheel 33 | Minor Bite 8:52 – 10:22 a.m. | Low 4:40 a.m. (0.63 m) | High 1:07 p.m. (1.09 m) 🎣 Interview 1 – Peter Breukel (4th Place, 12.008 kg total) Bags: Day 1 – 7.005 kg | Day 2 – 5.003 kg | 10 fish total. Approach: Started in the Mitchell River, then moved to reef + weed-edge zones packed with fish on perspective mode. Lures: Sickle 85 Sprat (1/30 jighead), Spike 44, Slam deep hardbody, RBX 66, Fat 37 UV, Naughty’s vibes. Technique: Cast tight to the weed edge, fish on bottom, constant contact key. Tackle: 3–4 lb Yamatoyo Harris Fighter leader | PE 0.4 mainline. Notes: Dozens of 36–41 fork fish; defended productive spot once scores appeared. Payout: ≈ $2,000 + plaque + badge. Thanks: Nicole Smith & Steve Morgan (ABT), Hurricane Lures (“Naughto”), Kris Hickson, Manning River Marine, and Kath for her support. 🎣 Interview 2 – Mitchell Blomquist (2nd Place, 13.020 kg total) Bags: 6.565 kg + 6.455 kg = 13.020 kg (10 fish). Prefish: Checked Mitchell River / ILT jetties → moved to Eagle Bay (timber + rock wall, big tides holding water). Lure: Single SX-48 #390 (clear with green stripes) for the entire event. Method: Slow-rolling hardbody; “if you think you’re winding slow, wind slower.” Combined sight casting and perspective mode. Fish Size: Smallest ≈ 34 fork; many 37 fork fish. Gear: 6’9” Shimano rod | 2500 reel | PE 0.6 | Yamatoyo Harris Fighter 4 lb leader. Shoutouts: JML Angler’s Alliance (Tony), Shimano (event sponsor), Josh Carpenter & Starlo (event coverage), Dad (pre-fish partner), travel crew (Scott, Peter Breukel, Jamie McEwen), ABT (Steve Morgan & Nicole Smith), and Andrew’s podcast for the road trips. 🥇 Interview 3 – Dan Kent (Winner, 13.419 kg total) Bags: Day 1 – 6.792 kg (5) | Day 2 – 6.627 kg (4) = 9 fish @ ~1.49 kg average. Prefish: Hollands Landing (no fish) → Paynesville canals (back-up bag fish ≈ 32 fork). Day 1: Launched Paynesville → Mitchell Flats rock bar; deep-diving Chubby scratched through rocks in ~1–1.2 m; dirty water, heavy scent; steady upgrades all day. Hooks: Decoy Y25 Size 10. Rod/Line: Custom Miller Rod Control Freak (1–3 kg) | 9 lb Yamatoyo PE Resinate | 5 lb Yamatoyo leader. Day 2: Glassed-out start; moved back outside the Silt Jetties; side-scan lit up with fish in 2.2 m; switched to Hurricane Sprat 75 on 1/8 oz painted motor-oil TT jighead | 6 lb leader. Landed four fish over 40 fork (43 fork ≈ 1.8 kg) in one-hour window (12–1 p.m.). Payout: $7,000 cash + ABT trophy (Vic Open Champion) + exclusive patch. Business: Runs Apollo Bay Fishing Charters (31’ Noosa Cat – snapper, flatties, gummies, school sharks, tuna). Summer spots open now via website calendar. Thanks: Mates Alex, Fran, Matt, Kit & Declan, ABT (Steve Morgan & Nicole Smith), family for support, and the ABT community for a great event. 💡 Key Takeaways Dirty water + rock: A deep chubby crashed through rock was the bite trigger. Weed-edge precision: Bottom contact with plastics and hardbodies was critical. Fish movement: Shifting from rivers to lake edges to outer lines required timing with tides and wind. Light leaders, heavy confidence: 3–6 lb leaders handled serious blacks. Seeing is believing: Perspective / Live Scope and sight-casting produced massive bags. 🔗 Links & Mentions Coverage: Josh Carpenter & Starlo ABT Team: Steve Morgan & Nicole Smith Dan’s Charters: apollobayfishingcharters.com.au Join The Collective: breamfishingproject.supercast.com
In this episode, we return to Lake Macquarie for Hobie Kayak Round 4, held on 24–25 May 2025 — an event shaped by major flooding across the region in the lead-up. With the system running high, dirty, and cold, anglers were forced to adapt quickly, reading the salt wedge, adjusting lure weights, and finding cleaner water zones to stay in the game. Andrew kicks things off by breaking down the fish activity wheel, tide times, and key bite periods for both days. He also reflects on his own weekend — including the rare decision not to fish on Day 2 — and how misreading the system initially shaped his approach. From there, we dive into three full-length podium interviews packed with tactical gold: 🥉 Jared Hickman (4.01 kg total) — makes his first podium with a shallow crankbait bite on a wind-blown rock wall, using a Pro Lure F36 in matt black and carefully working rough water with 5 lb leaders and 0.6 PE braid. 🥈 Joseph Gardner (4.09 kg) — travelling from WA, Joseph adapts brilliantly to the salt wedge line, targeting fish in 2–3.5 m over reef edges with Bait Junkie Wave Minnows and grubs. His detailed insight into tracking the salt/fresh boundary is a masterclass in reading post-flood systems. 🥇 Greg Crebert (4.84 kg) — the local angler dominates Day 1 with a 2.73 kg bag on a Jackall Chubby Vibe fished deep in rough, dirty water. He locks into a handful of quality bites over a 50 m stretch, then switches gears on Day 2 to work Clone Prawns and Hurricane Fats along the drained edges to secure the win. This episode is loaded with tactical takeaways on cranking rock walls, deep-vibe presentations, salt wedge positioning, and adjusting to post-flood systems. Whether you fish Lake Macquarie regularly or just want to sharpen your tournament skills, this is a must-listen recap.
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? 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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 Follow the podcast on Instagram: 📸 @thebreamfishingproject
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! Join The Collective Want early access to episodes, exclusive bonus content, and live monthly fishing deep-dives? Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective today: 🔗 breamfishingproject.supercast.com 🎧 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! — 📸 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.