Tips
How To Catch Winter Bream
As the cold, short, and wet days of winter settle in, it can be tempting to stay indoors. However, this season presents a prime opportunity for anglers to target big bream. While fish may be fewer in number and generally less active, the quality of bream available is often exceptional, making winter a rewarding time for dedicated anglers. Success during this season lies in adjusting techniques, understanding winter bream behavior, and mastering the art of enticing them when they’re at their most cautious.
During winter, bream tend to gather in large groups as they prepare for the spawning period. These schooling fish are often easier to locate, yet they’re usually more focused on pre-spawning behaviors than feeding, which makes them less likely to strike. Instead, a more effective approach is to target resident bream that hold close to structure. These bream are generally more inclined to feed and are better suited to a carefully presented lure. Locations with minimal tidal influence, such as pontoons, jetty pylons, and sheltered structures, are particularly productive as they offer a consistent food supply and shelter.
Timing plays a crucial role in winter fishing. The midday to early afternoon hours, when water temperatures are at their highest, often see bream becoming slightly more active. On calm, sunny days, they may even be visible higher up in the water column, venturing slightly out of hiding to seek warmth. In the absence of visible bream, modern fishfinders with side-scan capabilities can be invaluable, allowing anglers to locate fish that are tucked up against structure or holding near the bottom. This precision can help maximize time on the water and make for a more efficient fishing session.
After locating bream, selecting the right lure and perfecting the presentation becomes essential. In winter, subtle, realistic lures are key, as bream can be especially selective. Reliable choices include stick minnows, micro vibes, creature soft plastics, and grubs. Cranka Crabs and hard-bodied minnows can also be effective, especially if sight-fishing is possible. Confidence in the chosen lure is important, as winter fishing often demands patience and a calm, steady approach.
Presentation is everything when fishing in winter. Casting as close to structure as possible and allowing the lure to sink slowly to the bottom can make all the difference. When water clarity is good and bream are visible, observing them as they follow the lure down can provide insight into their behavior. If there’s no immediate strike, the next step is a slow, deliberate retrieve. Patience is essential—leaving the lure on the bottom for 30 seconds or more before moving it is often necessary, and an additional ten seconds can make all the difference. Winter bream are typically less active, and a stationary lure gives them time to inspect without feeling pressured.
After the pause, minimal, subtle movements tend to be most effective. With stick minnows, soft plastics, or micro vibes, short lift-and-drop actions are recommended to simulate prey stirring slightly on the bottom. When using crab-style lures, a very slow, steady retrieve along the bottom can mimic a crab’s natural movement, encouraging bream to strike. Often, after a prolonged pause, anglers will find that the fish has already settled on the lure by the time they go to lift their rod.
If standard techniques aren’t yielding results, a minnow-style hard-bodied lure with a twitch-and-pause retrieve can be another effective option. This technique works especially well if bream are sighted moving higher in the water column. Another alternative is to explore deeper waters or secondary drop-offs along river edges, as bream sometimes relocate to these areas during colder months.
Winter fishing for bream is ultimately a test of patience and finesse. While fewer fish may be caught than in warmer seasons, those that are landed are often larger and more rewarding. Every element of the angler’s approach—from timing and lure choice to retrieve speed and presentation—can influence success. Although cold weather may deter many, there’s something uniquely satisfying about successfully targeting big bream on a crisp winter day.
In summary, winter is an excellent time to focus on targeting larger, resident bream near areas of structure, especially where tidal influence is reduced. Pontoons, jetties, and other sheltered structures offer cover and food sources that attract bream during colder months. Taking advantage of midday warmth and using a fishfinder to locate bream in lower-visibility areas can increase success. Opt for subtle, lifelike lures that mimic natural prey, and allow them to sit on the bottom for extended periods to draw in slow-moving bream. Patience is key, and slowing down the presentation often yields the best results.
Winter fishing may demand more skill, but the rewards are substantial. Each big bream landed is a testament to the angler’s technique and persistence, and embracing the quiet, still days of winter can lead to some truly memorable catches. For those willing to brave the cold, winter bream fishing offers a unique, satisfying experience that rewards skill, patience, and attention to detail.
During winter, bream tend to gather in large groups as they prepare for the spawning period. These schooling fish are often easier to locate, yet they’re usually more focused on pre-spawning behaviors than feeding, which makes them less likely to strike. Instead, a more effective approach is to target resident bream that hold close to structure. These bream are generally more inclined to feed and are better suited to a carefully presented lure. Locations with minimal tidal influence, such as pontoons, jetty pylons, and sheltered structures, are particularly productive as they offer a consistent food supply and shelter.
Timing plays a crucial role in winter fishing. The midday to early afternoon hours, when water temperatures are at their highest, often see bream becoming slightly more active. On calm, sunny days, they may even be visible higher up in the water column, venturing slightly out of hiding to seek warmth. In the absence of visible bream, modern fishfinders with side-scan capabilities can be invaluable, allowing anglers to locate fish that are tucked up against structure or holding near the bottom. This precision can help maximize time on the water and make for a more efficient fishing session.
After locating bream, selecting the right lure and perfecting the presentation becomes essential. In winter, subtle, realistic lures are key, as bream can be especially selective. Reliable choices include stick minnows, micro vibes, creature soft plastics, and grubs. Cranka Crabs and hard-bodied minnows can also be effective, especially if sight-fishing is possible. Confidence in the chosen lure is important, as winter fishing often demands patience and a calm, steady approach.
Presentation is everything when fishing in winter. Casting as close to structure as possible and allowing the lure to sink slowly to the bottom can make all the difference. When water clarity is good and bream are visible, observing them as they follow the lure down can provide insight into their behavior. If there’s no immediate strike, the next step is a slow, deliberate retrieve. Patience is essential—leaving the lure on the bottom for 30 seconds or more before moving it is often necessary, and an additional ten seconds can make all the difference. Winter bream are typically less active, and a stationary lure gives them time to inspect without feeling pressured.
After the pause, minimal, subtle movements tend to be most effective. With stick minnows, soft plastics, or micro vibes, short lift-and-drop actions are recommended to simulate prey stirring slightly on the bottom. When using crab-style lures, a very slow, steady retrieve along the bottom can mimic a crab’s natural movement, encouraging bream to strike. Often, after a prolonged pause, anglers will find that the fish has already settled on the lure by the time they go to lift their rod.
If standard techniques aren’t yielding results, a minnow-style hard-bodied lure with a twitch-and-pause retrieve can be another effective option. This technique works especially well if bream are sighted moving higher in the water column. Another alternative is to explore deeper waters or secondary drop-offs along river edges, as bream sometimes relocate to these areas during colder months.
Winter fishing for bream is ultimately a test of patience and finesse. While fewer fish may be caught than in warmer seasons, those that are landed are often larger and more rewarding. Every element of the angler’s approach—from timing and lure choice to retrieve speed and presentation—can influence success. Although cold weather may deter many, there’s something uniquely satisfying about successfully targeting big bream on a crisp winter day.
In summary, winter is an excellent time to focus on targeting larger, resident bream near areas of structure, especially where tidal influence is reduced. Pontoons, jetties, and other sheltered structures offer cover and food sources that attract bream during colder months. Taking advantage of midday warmth and using a fishfinder to locate bream in lower-visibility areas can increase success. Opt for subtle, lifelike lures that mimic natural prey, and allow them to sit on the bottom for extended periods to draw in slow-moving bream. Patience is key, and slowing down the presentation often yields the best results.
Winter fishing may demand more skill, but the rewards are substantial. Each big bream landed is a testament to the angler’s technique and persistence, and embracing the quiet, still days of winter can lead to some truly memorable catches. For those willing to brave the cold, winter bream fishing offers a unique, satisfying experience that rewards skill, patience, and attention to detail.
