Tackle
Complete Guide To Crab Lures For Bream
The Complete Guide to Fishing with Crab Lures for Bream
Fishing for bream with crab lures is an effective, exciting, and rewarding technique that has gained popularity among anglers targeting this challenging species. Black bream, found throughout Australia’s estuaries and rivers, are opportunistic feeders that actively seek out crustaceans such as crabs, prawns, and shrimp. Mimicking these natural prey items with crab lures can be incredibly effective, especially when targeting structure-oriented bream.
This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about fishing with crab lures for bream, including the best brands, tackle recommendations, techniques, and tips for success.
Why Crab Lures Work for Bream
Black bream are bottom-feeding fish with a preference for crustaceans, small fish, and worms. Crabs are a staple in their diet, making crab lures an ideal choice when targeting these fish. Here’s why crab lures are effective for bream:
Realistic Appearance: Crab lures mimic the shape, color, and behavior of real crabs, making them highly attractive to bream. The natural movement of crab lures, especially those with soft legs and claws, creates an enticing presentation.
Ambush and Feeding Behavior: Bream are often found around structures such as rocks, jetties, bridge pylons, and submerged timber—environments that are home to crabs. By presenting a lure that looks and moves like a crab, you’re tapping into the bream’s instinct to feed and ambush prey.
Effective Near Structure: Since bream often forage near or under structure, crab lures can be placed precisely where bream are likely to be hiding, such as on rocky outcrops or along muddy bottoms.
Top Crab Lure Brands for Bream Fishing
Choosing the right crab lure is key to success. There are several top brands known for producing highly effective crab lures specifically for targeting bream.
Cranka Crabs
Description: Cranka Crabs are one of the most popular and successful crab lures for targeting bream. They are renowned for their realistic design, including soft, flexible claws that mimic a crab’s natural movement.
Features: Available in a variety of sizes and colors, Cranka Crabs have a weighted, floating claw design that allows the lure to sit upright on the bottom, making it appear defensive. The claws are also buoyant, which creates lifelike motion.
Recommended for: Rock walls, oyster racks, and bridge pylons. Cranka Crabs are ideal for slow presentations, as they excel in mimicking a crab’s natural defensive stance.
Zerek Crusty Crabs
Description: Zerek Crusty Crabs are highly durable lures made from TPE material, which is tough yet flexible. They are built to withstand bites and the wear and tear of fishing around rough structures.
Features: Zerek Crusty Crabs have a soft, natural texture and a realistic design with a weighted head that allows the lure to sink naturally. These lures come pre-rigged with hooks, making them easy to use straight out of the package.
Recommended for: Rocky and weedy areas, as well as sandy bottoms. The Zerek Crusty Crab’s natural sink rate and tough build make it a versatile lure that can be bounced along the bottom.
Savage Gear TPE Crabs
Description: Savage Gear’s TPE Crabs are crafted from durable TPE plastic, which is both flexible and resistant to tearing. These lures are extremely lifelike and have natural color options that resemble local crab species.
Features: Savage Gear TPE Crabs are pre-rigged with a hook on the bottom side, creating a realistic “claws-up” presentation that entices bream. They come in multiple sizes and can be rigged with extra weights if needed.
Recommended for: Shallow water and areas with dense vegetation, where their natural appearance can attract cautious bream.
Gulp! Peeler Crabs
Description: The Gulp! Peeler Crabs from Berkley are made from biodegradable material and infused with scent, making them particularly attractive to bream. The scent release technology used in these lures can entice even the most finicky fish.
Features: Gulp! Peeler Crabs are soft and highly flexible, allowing for a more realistic presentation. They are available in multiple colors and sizes, and the scent can draw bream from a distance.
Recommended for: Murky or deeper water where visibility may be limited, as the scent can help attract bream.
Tackle Recommendations for Fishing with Crab Lures
Fishing with crab lures requires a specific tackle setup to achieve the best results. Here’s an overview of the recommended rod, reel, line, and leader for targeting bream with crab lures.
Rod
A light to medium-light spinning rod in the 6-7 foot range is ideal for crab lures. Look for a rod with a fast to medium action, as this allows you to feel subtle bites while providing enough power to set the hook.
Recommended Specs: 1-3 kg or 2-4 kg rating, which offers the sensitivity needed to detect light bites and the backbone to handle bream in structure-heavy environments.
Reel
Use a spinning reel in the 2000-2500 size range, as this offers a good balance of weight and line capacity for light tackle fishing.
Recommended Brands: Daiwa Freams, Shimano Stradic, and Abu Garcia Revo are popular choices known for their smooth drag systems and durability.
Line
Braided line in the 6-8 lb range is ideal for fishing with crab lures. Braid has low stretch and high sensitivity, which helps in detecting subtle bites and improves casting accuracy.
Recommended Line: Look for quality braided lines like PowerPro, Daiwa J-Braid, or Berkley Fireline.
Leader
A 6-10 lb fluorocarbon leader is recommended for fishing in clear water and around structure. Fluorocarbon is abrasion-resistant and nearly invisible underwater, which is important when presenting crab lures in clear estuarine environments.
Length: 1-2 meters of fluorocarbon leader should be sufficient for most scenarios.
Techniques for Fishing with Crab Lures for Bream
Presenting crab lures to bream requires a specific approach to mimic the natural behavior of crabs and entice bream to strike. Here are some effective techniques:
Slow-Hopping Technique
How It Works: This technique involves casting the crab lure near structure, allowing it to sink to the bottom, and then gently hopping it with small rod lifts. The goal is to imitate a crab slowly moving along the bottom, pausing often to stay hidden.
Where to Use It: This technique is effective around rock walls, oyster beds, and submerged timber. Bream often ambush crabs in these areas, and a slow-hopping lure is more likely to trigger a reaction.
Bottom-Dragging Technique
How It Works: After casting, let the crab lure settle on the bottom and slowly drag it across the substrate by pulling the rod tip gently. This creates a natural-looking movement that imitates a crab foraging along the bottom.
Where to Use It: This technique is ideal for sandy and muddy bottoms, especially in calm water. Bream are likely to see the lure as an easy meal when it’s moving slowly across the bottom.
Dead-Sticking Technique
How It Works: Dead-sticking involves casting the crab lure and letting it sit motionless on the bottom. The natural buoyancy of the claws on some crab lures creates a defensive pose that entices bream to strike out of curiosity or aggression.
Where to Use It: Use this technique around structure or in deeper water where bream may be less active. The still lure can appear like a hiding crab, which can draw bream in for an ambush.
Twitch-and-Pause Technique
How It Works: Cast near structure and use a series of short twitches with pauses in between. The pauses make the lure look like a cautious crab, while the twitches add subtle movement that can catch a bream’s attention.
Where to Use It: This technique works well around bridge pylons, jetties, and rocky areas. It’s especially effective in shaded or covered spots where bream may be waiting in ambush.
Seasonal Considerations for Fishing with Crab Lures
The behavior of bream and their feeding patterns vary with the seasons, and adjusting your approach accordingly can improve your chances of success.
Summer
In summer, bream are more active and often found in shallower waters early in the morning and late in the evening. Crab lures can be fished close to shore or around shaded structures where bream are seeking shelter from the heat.
Technique Tip: Focus on rocky areas and bridge pylons, as bream tend to be more aggressive in warmer water.
Autumn
During autumn, bream start feeding more aggressively to build up reserves for winter. This is an excellent time to target them with crab lures, especially in estuaries where crabs are abundant.
Technique Tip: Try the slow-hopping technique near rock walls or oyster racks, as bream are more likely to chase down prey in these conditions.
Winter
In winter, bream tend to move to deeper water where temperatures are more stable. Fishing crab lures slowly along the bottom in deeper channels or near bridge pylons can be effective.
Technique Tip: Use the dead-sticking or bottom-dragging technique to give a slow presentation, as bream are less active in cold water.
Spring
As water temperatures rise in spring, bream become more active and start moving into shallower waters. Crab lures can be effective around sandy or muddy flats as bream come in to feed.
Technique Tip: Use the twitch-and-pause technique to mimic a crab scurrying across the bottom. Bream are more likely to strike as they prepare for the spawning season.
Additional Tips for Success
Fishing with crab lures for bream can be highly rewarding with the right approach. Here are some extra tips to improve your success rate:
Match the Hatch: Choose crab lure colors that match the local crab species in the area you’re fishing. Natural colors like brown, green, and olive are typically effective, but it’s worth experimenting based on local conditions.
Use Scents: Applying scent to your crab lures can enhance their effectiveness, especially in areas with limited visibility or heavy fishing pressure. Scented lures like the Gulp! Peeler Crab can also add extra appeal.
Be Patient and Observant: Bream can be cautious, so patience is key. Pay attention to the tides, water temperature, and structure. Adjust your retrieve and presentation based on the behavior of the fish.
Target High-Tide Periods: Bream are often more active around high tide, as this brings food into shallower areas and around structure. Fishing during these times can increase your chances of hooking up.
Use Light Leaders Around Clear Water: Bream are often wary, especially in clear water, so using a light fluorocarbon leader (4-6 lb) can help avoid spooking them.
Conclusion
Fishing with crab lures for black bream is a specialized yet rewarding technique that can yield impressive results when done correctly. From selecting the right brand of crab lure to mastering techniques like slow-hopping and dead-sticking, anglers have a wide array of tools and tactics at their disposal. Understanding the behavior of bream and adapting to seasonal changes will greatly enhance your chances of success.
By investing in quality crab lures from reputable brands like Cranka, Zerek, Savage Gear, and Berkley Gulp!, and following the recommended tackle setup and techniques, you’ll be well-prepared to catch bream around structures and in various environments. Whether you’re fishing from the shore, a boat, or a kayak, targeting black bream with crab lures can provide a unique and challenging experience that’s sure to elevate your fishing game.
Fishing for bream with crab lures is an effective, exciting, and rewarding technique that has gained popularity among anglers targeting this challenging species. Black bream, found throughout Australia’s estuaries and rivers, are opportunistic feeders that actively seek out crustaceans such as crabs, prawns, and shrimp. Mimicking these natural prey items with crab lures can be incredibly effective, especially when targeting structure-oriented bream.
This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about fishing with crab lures for bream, including the best brands, tackle recommendations, techniques, and tips for success.
Why Crab Lures Work for Bream
Black bream are bottom-feeding fish with a preference for crustaceans, small fish, and worms. Crabs are a staple in their diet, making crab lures an ideal choice when targeting these fish. Here’s why crab lures are effective for bream:
Realistic Appearance: Crab lures mimic the shape, color, and behavior of real crabs, making them highly attractive to bream. The natural movement of crab lures, especially those with soft legs and claws, creates an enticing presentation.
Ambush and Feeding Behavior: Bream are often found around structures such as rocks, jetties, bridge pylons, and submerged timber—environments that are home to crabs. By presenting a lure that looks and moves like a crab, you’re tapping into the bream’s instinct to feed and ambush prey.
Effective Near Structure: Since bream often forage near or under structure, crab lures can be placed precisely where bream are likely to be hiding, such as on rocky outcrops or along muddy bottoms.
Top Crab Lure Brands for Bream Fishing
Choosing the right crab lure is key to success. There are several top brands known for producing highly effective crab lures specifically for targeting bream.
Cranka Crabs
Description: Cranka Crabs are one of the most popular and successful crab lures for targeting bream. They are renowned for their realistic design, including soft, flexible claws that mimic a crab’s natural movement.
Features: Available in a variety of sizes and colors, Cranka Crabs have a weighted, floating claw design that allows the lure to sit upright on the bottom, making it appear defensive. The claws are also buoyant, which creates lifelike motion.
Recommended for: Rock walls, oyster racks, and bridge pylons. Cranka Crabs are ideal for slow presentations, as they excel in mimicking a crab’s natural defensive stance.
Zerek Crusty Crabs
Description: Zerek Crusty Crabs are highly durable lures made from TPE material, which is tough yet flexible. They are built to withstand bites and the wear and tear of fishing around rough structures.
Features: Zerek Crusty Crabs have a soft, natural texture and a realistic design with a weighted head that allows the lure to sink naturally. These lures come pre-rigged with hooks, making them easy to use straight out of the package.
Recommended for: Rocky and weedy areas, as well as sandy bottoms. The Zerek Crusty Crab’s natural sink rate and tough build make it a versatile lure that can be bounced along the bottom.
Savage Gear TPE Crabs
Description: Savage Gear’s TPE Crabs are crafted from durable TPE plastic, which is both flexible and resistant to tearing. These lures are extremely lifelike and have natural color options that resemble local crab species.
Features: Savage Gear TPE Crabs are pre-rigged with a hook on the bottom side, creating a realistic “claws-up” presentation that entices bream. They come in multiple sizes and can be rigged with extra weights if needed.
Recommended for: Shallow water and areas with dense vegetation, where their natural appearance can attract cautious bream.
Gulp! Peeler Crabs
Description: The Gulp! Peeler Crabs from Berkley are made from biodegradable material and infused with scent, making them particularly attractive to bream. The scent release technology used in these lures can entice even the most finicky fish.
Features: Gulp! Peeler Crabs are soft and highly flexible, allowing for a more realistic presentation. They are available in multiple colors and sizes, and the scent can draw bream from a distance.
Recommended for: Murky or deeper water where visibility may be limited, as the scent can help attract bream.
Tackle Recommendations for Fishing with Crab Lures
Fishing with crab lures requires a specific tackle setup to achieve the best results. Here’s an overview of the recommended rod, reel, line, and leader for targeting bream with crab lures.
Rod
A light to medium-light spinning rod in the 6-7 foot range is ideal for crab lures. Look for a rod with a fast to medium action, as this allows you to feel subtle bites while providing enough power to set the hook.
Recommended Specs: 1-3 kg or 2-4 kg rating, which offers the sensitivity needed to detect light bites and the backbone to handle bream in structure-heavy environments.
Reel
Use a spinning reel in the 2000-2500 size range, as this offers a good balance of weight and line capacity for light tackle fishing.
Recommended Brands: Daiwa Freams, Shimano Stradic, and Abu Garcia Revo are popular choices known for their smooth drag systems and durability.
Line
Braided line in the 6-8 lb range is ideal for fishing with crab lures. Braid has low stretch and high sensitivity, which helps in detecting subtle bites and improves casting accuracy.
Recommended Line: Look for quality braided lines like PowerPro, Daiwa J-Braid, or Berkley Fireline.
Leader
A 6-10 lb fluorocarbon leader is recommended for fishing in clear water and around structure. Fluorocarbon is abrasion-resistant and nearly invisible underwater, which is important when presenting crab lures in clear estuarine environments.
Length: 1-2 meters of fluorocarbon leader should be sufficient for most scenarios.
Techniques for Fishing with Crab Lures for Bream
Presenting crab lures to bream requires a specific approach to mimic the natural behavior of crabs and entice bream to strike. Here are some effective techniques:
Slow-Hopping Technique
How It Works: This technique involves casting the crab lure near structure, allowing it to sink to the bottom, and then gently hopping it with small rod lifts. The goal is to imitate a crab slowly moving along the bottom, pausing often to stay hidden.
Where to Use It: This technique is effective around rock walls, oyster beds, and submerged timber. Bream often ambush crabs in these areas, and a slow-hopping lure is more likely to trigger a reaction.
Bottom-Dragging Technique
How It Works: After casting, let the crab lure settle on the bottom and slowly drag it across the substrate by pulling the rod tip gently. This creates a natural-looking movement that imitates a crab foraging along the bottom.
Where to Use It: This technique is ideal for sandy and muddy bottoms, especially in calm water. Bream are likely to see the lure as an easy meal when it’s moving slowly across the bottom.
Dead-Sticking Technique
How It Works: Dead-sticking involves casting the crab lure and letting it sit motionless on the bottom. The natural buoyancy of the claws on some crab lures creates a defensive pose that entices bream to strike out of curiosity or aggression.
Where to Use It: Use this technique around structure or in deeper water where bream may be less active. The still lure can appear like a hiding crab, which can draw bream in for an ambush.
Twitch-and-Pause Technique
How It Works: Cast near structure and use a series of short twitches with pauses in between. The pauses make the lure look like a cautious crab, while the twitches add subtle movement that can catch a bream’s attention.
Where to Use It: This technique works well around bridge pylons, jetties, and rocky areas. It’s especially effective in shaded or covered spots where bream may be waiting in ambush.
Seasonal Considerations for Fishing with Crab Lures
The behavior of bream and their feeding patterns vary with the seasons, and adjusting your approach accordingly can improve your chances of success.
Summer
In summer, bream are more active and often found in shallower waters early in the morning and late in the evening. Crab lures can be fished close to shore or around shaded structures where bream are seeking shelter from the heat.
Technique Tip: Focus on rocky areas and bridge pylons, as bream tend to be more aggressive in warmer water.
Autumn
During autumn, bream start feeding more aggressively to build up reserves for winter. This is an excellent time to target them with crab lures, especially in estuaries where crabs are abundant.
Technique Tip: Try the slow-hopping technique near rock walls or oyster racks, as bream are more likely to chase down prey in these conditions.
Winter
In winter, bream tend to move to deeper water where temperatures are more stable. Fishing crab lures slowly along the bottom in deeper channels or near bridge pylons can be effective.
Technique Tip: Use the dead-sticking or bottom-dragging technique to give a slow presentation, as bream are less active in cold water.
Spring
As water temperatures rise in spring, bream become more active and start moving into shallower waters. Crab lures can be effective around sandy or muddy flats as bream come in to feed.
Technique Tip: Use the twitch-and-pause technique to mimic a crab scurrying across the bottom. Bream are more likely to strike as they prepare for the spawning season.
Additional Tips for Success
Fishing with crab lures for bream can be highly rewarding with the right approach. Here are some extra tips to improve your success rate:
Match the Hatch: Choose crab lure colors that match the local crab species in the area you’re fishing. Natural colors like brown, green, and olive are typically effective, but it’s worth experimenting based on local conditions.
Use Scents: Applying scent to your crab lures can enhance their effectiveness, especially in areas with limited visibility or heavy fishing pressure. Scented lures like the Gulp! Peeler Crab can also add extra appeal.
Be Patient and Observant: Bream can be cautious, so patience is key. Pay attention to the tides, water temperature, and structure. Adjust your retrieve and presentation based on the behavior of the fish.
Target High-Tide Periods: Bream are often more active around high tide, as this brings food into shallower areas and around structure. Fishing during these times can increase your chances of hooking up.
Use Light Leaders Around Clear Water: Bream are often wary, especially in clear water, so using a light fluorocarbon leader (4-6 lb) can help avoid spooking them.
Conclusion
Fishing with crab lures for black bream is a specialized yet rewarding technique that can yield impressive results when done correctly. From selecting the right brand of crab lure to mastering techniques like slow-hopping and dead-sticking, anglers have a wide array of tools and tactics at their disposal. Understanding the behavior of bream and adapting to seasonal changes will greatly enhance your chances of success.
By investing in quality crab lures from reputable brands like Cranka, Zerek, Savage Gear, and Berkley Gulp!, and following the recommended tackle setup and techniques, you’ll be well-prepared to catch bream around structures and in various environments. Whether you’re fishing from the shore, a boat, or a kayak, targeting black bream with crab lures can provide a unique and challenging experience that’s sure to elevate your fishing game.
