How To Catch Bream On Lures

Bream are one of the most popular species for anglers in Australia, known for their availability along the coast and estuarine waters. They put up a good fight on light tackle, making them an exciting target for both beginners and seasoned fishers alike. However, even though they are abundant, bream can be tricky to catch. This guide covers the essentials of finding, luring, and successfully reeling in bream, along with some advanced tips to make each fishing trip a success.



Ideal Conditions and Locations: Where to Find Bream

Seasonal Patterns

Understanding how bream respond to seasonal changes can help you choose the best spots. During warmer months, bream are more active and tend to migrate to shallower areas, including estuaries and flats, where food is plentiful. In winter, they retreat to deeper channels or sheltered areas with structure, where they can find warmth and protection. Timing your fishing trips to coincide with these seasonal behaviors can improve your chances of success.

Structure and Food: Key Elements to Locate Bream

Bream are attracted to two main things in their habitat: structure and food. Natural prey includes small baitfish, prawns, crabs, and other marine life, which often gather near structural features. When bream find an area with food and good structure, they’re more likely to stay and feed, creating ideal fishing opportunities.

Manmade Structures: Oyster leases, jetties, pontoons, rock walls, boat ramps, and bridges offer both shelter and feeding grounds, as well as protection from currents.
Natural Structures: Rock bars, mangrove edges, weed beds, and drop-offs provide ambush points for bream to catch prey and can be productive at different stages of the tide.

When targeting bream around structure, precision casting is essential to get your lure close enough to draw them out. Skipping lures into shaded areas under pontoons, casting close to mangrove edges, or running lures just above weed beds are all effective ways to increase your chances.



Essential Gear for Bream Fishing: Rods, Reels, Lines, and Leaders

Choosing the Right Rod and Reel

For bream fishing, light finesse gear is often preferred to accurately cast smaller lures, detect subtle bites, and manage the fight on light tackle. Rods in the 1-3kg and 2-4kg range are generally ideal, paired with 2000 to 2500 size reels. Using 4-8lb braided line with a 2-10lb fluorocarbon leader provides the right balance between strength and subtlety.



Lines and Leaders

For line, lighter braids (4-8lb) are commonly used, which help increase casting distance and allow for precise lure placement. Pairing a lighter braid with a fluorocarbon leader (2-10lb) is beneficial for bream, especially in clear water, as it minimizes the chances of spooking fish. When fishing around abrasive structure, opting for a slightly stronger leader will offer added durability against cuts and frays.


Selecting Effective Lures for Bream

Soft Plastics

Soft plastics are among the most popular lure choices for bream. Smaller sizes around 2-2.5 inches are effective, the Blako 60mm grub is an ideal lure for bream.

These lures have an inherent action that makes them highly attractive to bream, especially when retrieved with specific techniques. The Blako 60mm, for instance, is versatile enough to mimic a range of prey items, from fish to small crustaceans, making it a great all-purpose option.

Lure Color Selection

The color of your lure can make a difference, especially in varied water conditions. In clear water and bright conditions, light colors like Opening Night, Bad Shad, and Greasy Prawn blend naturally. In stained or murky water, darker colors like Pumpkinseed, Gudgeon, or Watermelon Red offer better visibility. UV-reactive colors, such as Motor Oil, Newoil or Midnight Oil, can stand out and attract bream in low-light conditions.



Techniques for Bream Fishing: Effective Retrieves

Mastering different retrieval techniques can dramatically improve your catch rate. Each method presents your lure in a way that can trigger a response from bream, depending on their mood and activity level.

Slow Roll Technique

The slow roll technique is a straightforward and highly effective method for fishing with grub lures. This technique involves casting the lure and retrieving it at a slow, steady pace. The goal is to keep the lure just above the bottom or on the bottom, where bream often forage for food creating a crawling creature & stirring up the bottom as it moves slowly.

When using this technique, the natural action of the grub lure comes into play. The soft body and wiggling tail create a lifelike motion that resembles the movement of worms or small crustaceans, which are common prey for bream. Bream are opportunistic feeders and can be attracted by the slow, enticing movement of the lure, especially during high tide when they are actively searching for food in shallow waters.

The slow roll is particularly effective over sand flats, mud banks, and around structures like rocks and mangroves. By maintaining a consistent speed, anglers can cover more ground while allowing the lure’s action to do the work. If bream are present, they are likely to notice and strike at the grub lure as it glides through their feeding zone.

Lift and Drop Technique

The lift and drop technique is another popular method that effectively mimics the behavior of prey items. This technique involves casting the grub lure and letting it sink to the desired depth before beginning the retrieve. Once the lure reaches the bottom, anglers lift the rod tip to create upward movement and then allow the lure to fall back to the bottom.

The beauty of this technique lies in the pause that occurs during the drop. This is when bream are most likely to strike, as they often grab prey that is sinking. The combination of upward movement and the natural descent of the grub mimics the fleeing motion of small crustaceans and worms, making it highly appealing to bream.

The lift and drop technique is especially effective in areas where bream are concentrated near the bottom, such as deeper holes or around structure. By varying the speed and height of the lift, anglers can create different action patterns that may trigger more bites. Experimenting with pauses of varying lengths can also help determine what the fish prefer on a given day.

Twitch and Pause Technique

The twitch and pause technique introduces a more erratic action to the grub lure, making it ideal for situations when bream are more aggressive. To execute this method, cast the lure and allow it to sink before beginning the retrieve. Use quick, sharp twitches of the rod tip to create sudden movements in the lure, followed by a pause to let it settle.

This method is effective because the twitching motion imitates the erratic behavior of distressed prey, provoking bream to strike out of instinct. The pauses allow the lure to sink naturally, enticing bream that may be watching from a distance. This technique is particularly effective around structures, where bream often ambush their prey.

Targeting Bream in Different Structures

Fishing around various structures requires a slightly different approach, depending on the behavior of bream in those environments.

Pontoons

Pontoons attract bream as they provide shade and cover. Using a light jighead with a slow-sinking lure can keep it in the strike zone longer, giving bream ample time to investigate and bite. Try weights from 1/40oz to 1/16oz to fine-tune your approach.

Rock Walls

Rock walls create a natural current break and are excellent places to find bream, especially during the change of tide. Fishing down the face of a rock wall with a slow-rolling or hopping retrieve can yield good results. Vary your jighead weight from 1/16oz to 1/4oz based on depth and current.

Mangrove Edges

Bream often congregate around mangrove-lined banks, especially during high tides. Cast into the mangroves and retrieve with a slow roll or hop, focusing on snags and root structures. Using jighead weights of 1/16oz, 1/12oz, or 1/8oz, depending on depth and current, helps to keep the lure near cover.

Flats

On higher tides, bream move onto flats to feed. Cover water effectively by casting in different directions, using a slow roll or shaking retrieve to identify active fish. Lighter jigheads, such as 1/16oz or 1/12oz, are ideal for flats fishing.

Jetties and Boat Ramps

Jetties and boat ramps are magnets for bream due to the food and structure they provide. Vertical fishing around the pylons is effective but requires a slightly stronger leader due to potential snags.


Observing Bream Behavior: Tips for Success

When fishing for bream, staying observant can give you an edge. Look for signs of baitfish flicking on the water’s surface, which often indicates nearby bream. You may also hear the sound of bream or feeding on submerged structures, a great cue for casting into that area.


Using Scent and Selecting Jigheads

Scent

Adding scent to lures can make a significant difference, particularly in low-activity periods. Scents like a Gel type can mask unnatural smells and enhance the attractiveness of your lure, increasing the likelihood of a strike.


Fishing for Bream on Foot: Land-Based Tips

Land-based fishing offers a unique challenge for bream anglers. Focus on areas where you can cast near rubble or weed beds, and use techniques like dead sticking or slow rolling to keep your lure near structure. When fishing vertical structures like rock walls or jetties, don’t overlook the value of fishing straight down alongside the structure. Many anglers cast away from it, missing out on fish hiding close to these areas.

 

Choosing The Right Jigheads

Choosing the right jighead is essential in bream fishing, as it impacts how well your lure is presented and can determine your success rate. Bream are often cautious feeders, so a well-selected jighead can make all the difference. Here are key factors to consider, along with popular types of jigheads used in bream fishing.

Key Factors to Consider in Jighead Selection

Weight: Jighead weight is critical as it affects the lure’s sinking speed and how deep it can reach. In shallow waters or when bream are feeding near the surface, a lighter jighead (such as 1/40oz or 1/20oz) helps keep the lure in the strike zone for longer, allowing for a slow, natural sink. In deeper areas or when fishing in currents, heavier jigheads (like 1/8oz to 1/4oz) ensure the lure reaches the desired depth and stays there. Adjusting the weight to match the conditions can greatly improve your presentation.

Hook Size: The hook size is crucial for securely holding small soft plastics, which are often used for bream. Hook sizes between #4, #2, #1 & 1/0 are ideal, as they work well with smaller lure profiles while still allowing solid hook-ups. Finer hooks penetrate more easily on light-tackle setups, which is especially important for finesse presentations.

Rigging Style: Different jigheads offer rigging options that can be useful for various environments. Weedless options help prevent snagging when fishing around dense cover, such as mangroves or submerged weeds, while traditional exposed-hook jigheads work well in open water. Choosing the right rigging style based on your surroundings will help prevent losing lures and allow you to fish confidently.

Popular Jighead Types for Bream Fishing

Finesse Jigheads: These jigheads typically feature fine-wire hooks that are ideal for light line and low-drag setups. They are designed for finesse applications, allowing for easy hook penetration and effective hook-sets, even with delicate bream bites. Finesse jigheads often include a secure keeper system to hold soft plastics firmly in place, making them a reliable choice for most bream fishing conditions. Common weights for finesse jigheads range from 1/20oz to 1/4oz, allowing them to be used in shallow flats, rock walls, and moderate depths.

Heavy-Duty Jigheads: For anglers fishing in areas with rugged structure or targeting larger bream, heavy-duty jigheads with thicker wire hooks are more suitable. These jigheads are built to withstand higher drag pressures, which is beneficial when fishing around challenging structures like oyster racks or bridge pylons. A stronger keeper system ensures that soft plastics stay securely attached during aggressive retrieves. They’re typically available in weights ranging from 1/20oz to 1/4oz, depending on the depth and structure.

Mushroom-Style Jigheads: Mushroom-style jigheads are perfect for what’s known as a “Ned Rig” presentation, where the lure is positioned in a defensive or feeding stance. When used with buoyant plastics, these jigheads allow the lure to stand up off the bottom, giving it a lifelike, enticing posture. This setup is especially useful in clear or heavily fished waters where bream may be more cautious. Common weights for mushroom-style jigheads range from 1/15oz to 1/5oz, suitable for both shallow areas and moderate depths.

Hidden Weight Jigheads: These jigheads have a hidden weight embedded inside the plastic, creating a slow, horizontal sink that looks natural and appealing in the water. They are great for fishing around pontoons and jetties, where bream might be holding higher in the water column and need a subtle, natural presentation. Common weights range from 1/40oz to 1/12oz, making them ideal for super finesse fishing and for keeping lures close to structure.

Weedless Jigheads: Weedless jigheads are designed to prevent snagging when fishing in areas with lots of cover, such as mangrove roots, submerged weeds, or rocky areas. Some options come with an unweighted version for shallow or surface presentations, while others have an interchangeable weight to adjust depth. These jigheads often use a unique keeper system that secures soft plastics firmly, making them well-suited for fishing in snag-prone areas. Smaller hook sizes like #4 and #2 are ideal for small plastics, while unweighted or lightly weighted jigheads work well for precise depth control.

Selecting the right jighead for bream fishing depends on factors like weight, hook size, and rigging style. Finesse jigheads work well for subtle presentations, while heavy-duty options are better for larger bream or challenging structures. Mushroom-style jigheads provide a unique standing action, and hidden-weight and weedless options are effective for fishing close to structure without spooking fish. By carefully choosing jigheads that match the environment and conditions, you can improve your presentation and increase your chances of success with bream.

 

Handling Bream with Care and Conservation Tips

When landing bream, use a landing net to prevent injury. Bream have sharp fins, so handle them with wet hands or a cloth to protect their scales. A careful approach helps support catch-and-release efforts and ensures future anglers can enjoy the same experience.



Enjoying  Bream Fishing

Bream fishing offers an engaging blend of strategy, technique, and patience. Each trip presents new challenges as conditions change, and learning how to adapt keeps the experience exciting. With the right gear, skills, and understanding of bream behavior, every outing can be a rewarding opportunity to test your skills against one of Australia’s favorite coastal species.