Locations
Blackwood River Bream Fishing
The Blackwood River in Western Australia is a prime location for bream fishing, offering anglers a diverse estuary system set against stunning natural scenery. Flowing from the Darling Ranges down to the Southern Ocean at Augusta, the Blackwood River has a rich ecosystem that supports healthy populations of black bream, known to average around 30–35 cm, with larger specimens often reaching 40 cm or more. This river is well-regarded for its bream fishing, providing both challenges and rewards with its heavy snags, sharp-shelled structure, productive flats near the river mouth, and excellent opportunities for topwater fishing.
One of the defining features of the Blackwood River is its heavy snagged areas. From submerged timber to fallen branches and dense root systems, these snags provide bream with cover and protection, making them prime locations for targeting larger fish. While heavy snags are ideal spots for bream, they also pose a challenge for anglers, as bream are known to dive into the structure when hooked. These areas are often covered with sharp, shell-encrusted surfaces that can fray line, so using an abrasion-resistant fluorocarbon leader is essential. Fishing in these snaggy areas requires patience and finesse, with soft plastics and lightly-weighted lures often being effective choices, as they can be maneuvered around the structure to entice strikes from bream lurking below.
The flats near the river mouth are another hotspot for bream, particularly during high tide when fish move into the shallows to feed. These flats offer a change in scenery from the heavier structure upriver, featuring sandy bottoms, patches of seagrass, and clear water. Bream move onto the flats to search for small crustaceans, baitfish, and shellfish, making these areas highly productive. Lightly-weighted soft plastics, such as paddle tails and prawn imitations, are particularly effective on the flats, as they mimic the natural prey that bream hunt. A slow, steady retrieve with occasional pauses can attract the attention of bream, leading to aggressive strikes as they feed in the shallows. Natural colors like olive, brown, and translucent shades tend to blend in with the environment, adding to the lure’s realism in the clear waters near the mouth.
The heavy presence of snags and sharp-shelled surfaces in the Blackwood River also makes it a challenge for lure anglers. These structures provide bream with both food and shelter, creating a natural feeding ground. Fishing around these areas can be highly productive, as bream often hide among the snags and use them as ambush points for prey. Hard-bodied crankbaits and soft vibes are also effective in these zones, especially when worked slowly along the edges of structure. A slow, twitchy retrieve with pauses allows the lure to appear lifelike, tempting bream out of their hiding spots. Rigging with a heavy fluorocarbon leader helps withstand the abrasive conditions, as the shells and rocks along the snags can quickly damage light lines.
Topwater fishing is another exciting and effective method on the Blackwood River, particularly in calm conditions on warm mornings or evenings. The river’s shallow bays and flats near the river mouth create the perfect setting for topwater action. Surface lures, such as small poppers and stickbaits, are ideal choices for this approach. They create a subtle disturbance on the water’s surface, drawing bream up from below. A slow, rhythmic "walk-the-dog" retrieve or gentle popping action mimics struggling prey, which often entices aggressive strikes from bream. Topwater fishing in the Blackwood River is visually thrilling, as you can see bream chase and strike the lure, creating an exciting experience.
The tidal influence from the ocean at Augusta plays a significant role in the behavior of bream on the Blackwood River. During high tides, bream move into shallower flats and around snags to feed, while low tides pull them back into deeper holes and closer to structure. Fishing during tidal changes, particularly during the incoming tide, can be especially productive, as the water movement stirs up food and draws bream into active feeding zones. Early mornings and late afternoons, when the light is lower, are also ideal times for targeting bream, as they tend to be more confident and willing to feed during these times.
A light tackle setup is recommended for targeting bream in the Blackwood River, allowing for delicate presentations while providing enough control around structure. A 2-4 kg spinning rod paired with a 1000-2500 size reel is ideal for this type of fishing. Spooling with braided line in the 6-10 lb range, paired with a 6-10 lb fluorocarbon leader, provides the right balance of sensitivity and abrasion resistance. The fluorocarbon leader is essential for fishing around the heavy structure and sharp-shelled areas of the Blackwood, as it withstands abrasion better than standard line and has low visibility, making it harder for wary bream to detect.
The Blackwood River’s serene setting, with its clear water, lush surroundings, and diverse habitats, creates an ideal environment for a rewarding day on the water. The variety of fishing spots allows anglers to explore different techniques, from soft plastics around heavy snags to surface lures on the flats, making each trip unique. The thrill of landing a large, hard-fighting bream in the snags or witnessing an aggressive topwater strike on a calm morning adds to the appeal, creating memorable experiences for every angler.
For those new to the area, the nearby town of Augusta offers access points, boat ramps, and local amenities, making it convenient for planning a fishing trip. Local fishing regulations, including size and bag limits, are in place to preserve the health of the fishery, so observing these rules is important for sustainable fishing practices.
Fishing on the Blackwood River is more than just about catching fish; it’s an opportunity to immerse oneself in the scenic beauty of Western Australia’s southwest. With its mix of heavy snags, productive flats, and excellent topwater action, the river provides a dynamic environment that challenges and rewards anglers. Each cast brings the potential for a memorable catch, and the diverse settings make it a place where you can connect with nature and enjoy the art of bream fishing. Whether casting a soft plastic along the edges of a snag, working a crankbait near the rocks, or twitching a surface lure on the flats, the Blackwood River promises an unforgettable experience in one of Australia’s most picturesque fishing destinations.
One of the defining features of the Blackwood River is its heavy snagged areas. From submerged timber to fallen branches and dense root systems, these snags provide bream with cover and protection, making them prime locations for targeting larger fish. While heavy snags are ideal spots for bream, they also pose a challenge for anglers, as bream are known to dive into the structure when hooked. These areas are often covered with sharp, shell-encrusted surfaces that can fray line, so using an abrasion-resistant fluorocarbon leader is essential. Fishing in these snaggy areas requires patience and finesse, with soft plastics and lightly-weighted lures often being effective choices, as they can be maneuvered around the structure to entice strikes from bream lurking below.
The flats near the river mouth are another hotspot for bream, particularly during high tide when fish move into the shallows to feed. These flats offer a change in scenery from the heavier structure upriver, featuring sandy bottoms, patches of seagrass, and clear water. Bream move onto the flats to search for small crustaceans, baitfish, and shellfish, making these areas highly productive. Lightly-weighted soft plastics, such as paddle tails and prawn imitations, are particularly effective on the flats, as they mimic the natural prey that bream hunt. A slow, steady retrieve with occasional pauses can attract the attention of bream, leading to aggressive strikes as they feed in the shallows. Natural colors like olive, brown, and translucent shades tend to blend in with the environment, adding to the lure’s realism in the clear waters near the mouth.
The heavy presence of snags and sharp-shelled surfaces in the Blackwood River also makes it a challenge for lure anglers. These structures provide bream with both food and shelter, creating a natural feeding ground. Fishing around these areas can be highly productive, as bream often hide among the snags and use them as ambush points for prey. Hard-bodied crankbaits and soft vibes are also effective in these zones, especially when worked slowly along the edges of structure. A slow, twitchy retrieve with pauses allows the lure to appear lifelike, tempting bream out of their hiding spots. Rigging with a heavy fluorocarbon leader helps withstand the abrasive conditions, as the shells and rocks along the snags can quickly damage light lines.
Topwater fishing is another exciting and effective method on the Blackwood River, particularly in calm conditions on warm mornings or evenings. The river’s shallow bays and flats near the river mouth create the perfect setting for topwater action. Surface lures, such as small poppers and stickbaits, are ideal choices for this approach. They create a subtle disturbance on the water’s surface, drawing bream up from below. A slow, rhythmic "walk-the-dog" retrieve or gentle popping action mimics struggling prey, which often entices aggressive strikes from bream. Topwater fishing in the Blackwood River is visually thrilling, as you can see bream chase and strike the lure, creating an exciting experience.
The tidal influence from the ocean at Augusta plays a significant role in the behavior of bream on the Blackwood River. During high tides, bream move into shallower flats and around snags to feed, while low tides pull them back into deeper holes and closer to structure. Fishing during tidal changes, particularly during the incoming tide, can be especially productive, as the water movement stirs up food and draws bream into active feeding zones. Early mornings and late afternoons, when the light is lower, are also ideal times for targeting bream, as they tend to be more confident and willing to feed during these times.
A light tackle setup is recommended for targeting bream in the Blackwood River, allowing for delicate presentations while providing enough control around structure. A 2-4 kg spinning rod paired with a 1000-2500 size reel is ideal for this type of fishing. Spooling with braided line in the 6-10 lb range, paired with a 6-10 lb fluorocarbon leader, provides the right balance of sensitivity and abrasion resistance. The fluorocarbon leader is essential for fishing around the heavy structure and sharp-shelled areas of the Blackwood, as it withstands abrasion better than standard line and has low visibility, making it harder for wary bream to detect.
The Blackwood River’s serene setting, with its clear water, lush surroundings, and diverse habitats, creates an ideal environment for a rewarding day on the water. The variety of fishing spots allows anglers to explore different techniques, from soft plastics around heavy snags to surface lures on the flats, making each trip unique. The thrill of landing a large, hard-fighting bream in the snags or witnessing an aggressive topwater strike on a calm morning adds to the appeal, creating memorable experiences for every angler.
For those new to the area, the nearby town of Augusta offers access points, boat ramps, and local amenities, making it convenient for planning a fishing trip. Local fishing regulations, including size and bag limits, are in place to preserve the health of the fishery, so observing these rules is important for sustainable fishing practices.
Fishing on the Blackwood River is more than just about catching fish; it’s an opportunity to immerse oneself in the scenic beauty of Western Australia’s southwest. With its mix of heavy snags, productive flats, and excellent topwater action, the river provides a dynamic environment that challenges and rewards anglers. Each cast brings the potential for a memorable catch, and the diverse settings make it a place where you can connect with nature and enjoy the art of bream fishing. Whether casting a soft plastic along the edges of a snag, working a crankbait near the rocks, or twitching a surface lure on the flats, the Blackwood River promises an unforgettable experience in one of Australia’s most picturesque fishing destinations.
