Locations
Serpentine River Flats Fishing For Bream
Fishing the Flats of the Serpentine River in Mandurah for Bream
The Serpentine River in Mandurah, Western Australia, is a well-known fishing destination for anglers targeting bream. This river system, with its quiet, meandering flow and abundant structure, provides an ideal habitat for black bream and other estuarine species. Known for its scenic surroundings and productive fishing, the Serpentine River flats offer accessible spots for both beginner and experienced anglers. With a variety of flats, edges, and shallow areas teeming with baitfish and crustaceans, the Serpentine is a prime location for those looking to experience bream fishing on light tackle.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to fishing the flats of the Serpentine River, covering the top flats locations, tips for fishing techniques, and key tackle and lure selections to help you land bream in this estuarine river.
Why the Serpentine River is Ideal for Bream Fishing
The Serpentine River offers a mix of brackish and freshwater, making it a favorable habitat for black bream, a species well-adapted to estuaries and rivers. The river’s slow-moving flow and sheltered banks create ideal feeding grounds for bream, which are drawn to the abundant food sources, including crustaceans, mollusks, and small baitfish. The flats in particular provide bream with a foraging area where they can hunt in the shallows, using the natural cover from submerged plants, rocks, and sand patches.
Mandurah’s Serpentine River is relatively calm, with shallow flats that are easily accessible for shore-based anglers, kayakers, and waders. The tidal influences from nearby Peel Inlet help circulate nutrients and baitfish, making the flats especially productive during tidal movements. Anglers looking for a relaxing yet rewarding fishing experience will find the Serpentine River to be a fantastic location for targeting bream on the flats.
Key Flats Locations for Bream in the Serpentine River
The Serpentine River has several key flats that are productive for bream fishing, particularly around the middle to lower stretches of the river where tidal influences are stronger. Here are some notable flats in the Serpentine River:
Goegrup Lake Flats
Located on the lower Serpentine River, Goegrup Lake has large areas of shallow water with plenty of seagrass and sand patches. These flats are known to hold black bream, which move into the area during high tide to feed. The lake’s shallow and sandy areas are perfect for wading or kayak fishing, and soft plastics and small lures can be effective in this spot.
Barragup Flats
Near Barragup, the river widens and slows, creating expansive flats that are ideal for targeting bream. These flats offer a mix of mud, sand, and shell grit, which attract small crustaceans and baitfish. Anglers can wade through these flats or fish from the banks, targeting bream that are drawn to the abundant food supply in the area.
South Yunderup Flats
South Yunderup offers productive flats close to the Peel Inlet, where tidal influences bring fresh baitfish into the river. Bream are known to frequent these flats during rising tides, foraging in the seagrass beds and along the sandy edges. This area is accessible to shore-based anglers and is especially productive for bream fishing at dawn and dusk.
Ravenswood Flats
Near Ravenswood, the Serpentine has wide, shallow flats with sections of rocky bottom and weedy patches. These features make it an excellent location for bream fishing, as bream tend to patrol the edges looking for food. The shallow flats in Ravenswood are best fished on a rising tide, and a slow approach with soft plastics or lightly weighted baits can yield great results.
North Yunderup Flats
Located along the river near North Yunderup, these flats are easily accessible and are known for holding bream, especially during tidal changes. The area has several sandy patches and small drop-offs where bream congregate to hunt for small fish and crustaceans. Fishing along the edges or casting into deeper channels can be highly productive in this area.
Murray Bend Flats
The Murray Bend area near where the Serpentine merges with the Murray River offers flats that are popular with bream anglers. This area has brackish water and is affected by both river currents and tidal influences, creating a unique habitat for bream. The flats around Murray Bend can be fished effectively with soft plastics and small hardbodies, especially during high tide.
Tips and Techniques for Targeting Bream on the Flats
Fishing the flats of the Serpentine River requires a subtle and strategic approach. Bream are known to be cautious, especially in shallow water where they’re more exposed. Here are some tips to help you target bream effectively on the Serpentine River flats:
Timing: Bream are often most active on the flats during tidal movements, particularly on a rising tide. As the water rises, bream move into the shallows to feed, making this an ideal time to cast into the flats. Early mornings and late afternoons also tend to be productive, as bream are less wary during low-light conditions.
Stealthy Approach: In clear, shallow water, bream can be easily spooked. When wading, move slowly and avoid making too much noise. Casting from a distance and staying low will increase your chances of getting close enough for a bite. If you’re fishing from a kayak, approach quietly to prevent alerting the fish.
Light Tackle: Bream fishing on the flats is best done with light tackle. A 1-3 kg rod with a fast action allows you to feel even the lightest bites while still having the power to land a bream. A 2000-2500 size reel paired with a light fluorocarbon leader (6-8 lb) is ideal for targeting cautious bream in the Serpentine.
Lure Selection: Choose lures that mimic the natural prey found on the flats, such as small fish, prawns, and crabs. Soft plastics in natural colors like brown, olive, and clear are effective, as are small hardbodies and crab imitations. The goal is to present the lure in a way that appears natural and unthreatening.
Presentations: Slow and steady retrieves are often effective when targeting bream on the flats. Techniques like slow rolling, bottom-hopping, and suspending retrieves can mimic the movement of prey and entice bream to strike. Experiment with pauses and subtle twitches to trigger a reaction from the fish.
Tackle and Lure Recommendations for Serpentine River Bream
Using the right tackle and lures can make a big difference when fishing for bream on the flats. Here’s a breakdown of the ideal tackle and lure setup for the Serpentine River:
Rod and Reel
A light spinning rod in the 6-7 foot range with a 1-3 kg rating is suitable for bream fishing on the flats. Paired with a 2000-2500 size reel, this setup allows for accurate casting, sensitivity to detect light bites, and enough power to handle bream in shallow water.
Line and Leader
A 6-8 lb braided line is ideal for its sensitivity and casting distance, which is useful when fishing flats. Attach a fluorocarbon leader in the 6-8 lb range for added abrasion resistance and stealth, as bream can be leader-shy in clear water.
Effective Lures
Soft Plastics: Paddle-tail or curl-tail soft plastics in the 2-3 inch range are effective for bream on the flats. Natural colors like brown, green, or clear work well in the Serpentine, as they imitate the small fish and crustaceans that bream feed on.
Crab Imitations: Since bream feed on crustaceans, crab imitations are a popular choice. Use small, subtle-colored crabs on a light jighead to keep them near the bottom, where bream are likely to pick them up.
Hardbody Lures: Small hardbody lures that mimic baitfish can be productive on the Serpentine River flats. A slow retrieve with occasional pauses is often effective for attracting bream, especially in areas with structure.
The Serpentine River’s flats provide an ideal environment for anglers seeking the thrill of bream fishing in Mandurah’s scenic estuarine waters. From Goegrup Lake to Murray Bend, the river offers diverse habitats that attract black bream and other species, making it a fantastic destination for those who enjoy fishing on light tackle. With a bit of patience, a subtle approach, and the right lures, anglers can experience the rewarding challenge of catching bream on the flats of the Serpentine River.
The Serpentine River in Mandurah, Western Australia, is a well-known fishing destination for anglers targeting bream. This river system, with its quiet, meandering flow and abundant structure, provides an ideal habitat for black bream and other estuarine species. Known for its scenic surroundings and productive fishing, the Serpentine River flats offer accessible spots for both beginner and experienced anglers. With a variety of flats, edges, and shallow areas teeming with baitfish and crustaceans, the Serpentine is a prime location for those looking to experience bream fishing on light tackle.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to fishing the flats of the Serpentine River, covering the top flats locations, tips for fishing techniques, and key tackle and lure selections to help you land bream in this estuarine river.
Why the Serpentine River is Ideal for Bream Fishing
The Serpentine River offers a mix of brackish and freshwater, making it a favorable habitat for black bream, a species well-adapted to estuaries and rivers. The river’s slow-moving flow and sheltered banks create ideal feeding grounds for bream, which are drawn to the abundant food sources, including crustaceans, mollusks, and small baitfish. The flats in particular provide bream with a foraging area where they can hunt in the shallows, using the natural cover from submerged plants, rocks, and sand patches.
Mandurah’s Serpentine River is relatively calm, with shallow flats that are easily accessible for shore-based anglers, kayakers, and waders. The tidal influences from nearby Peel Inlet help circulate nutrients and baitfish, making the flats especially productive during tidal movements. Anglers looking for a relaxing yet rewarding fishing experience will find the Serpentine River to be a fantastic location for targeting bream on the flats.
Key Flats Locations for Bream in the Serpentine River
The Serpentine River has several key flats that are productive for bream fishing, particularly around the middle to lower stretches of the river where tidal influences are stronger. Here are some notable flats in the Serpentine River:
Goegrup Lake Flats
Located on the lower Serpentine River, Goegrup Lake has large areas of shallow water with plenty of seagrass and sand patches. These flats are known to hold black bream, which move into the area during high tide to feed. The lake’s shallow and sandy areas are perfect for wading or kayak fishing, and soft plastics and small lures can be effective in this spot.
Barragup Flats
Near Barragup, the river widens and slows, creating expansive flats that are ideal for targeting bream. These flats offer a mix of mud, sand, and shell grit, which attract small crustaceans and baitfish. Anglers can wade through these flats or fish from the banks, targeting bream that are drawn to the abundant food supply in the area.
South Yunderup Flats
South Yunderup offers productive flats close to the Peel Inlet, where tidal influences bring fresh baitfish into the river. Bream are known to frequent these flats during rising tides, foraging in the seagrass beds and along the sandy edges. This area is accessible to shore-based anglers and is especially productive for bream fishing at dawn and dusk.
Ravenswood Flats
Near Ravenswood, the Serpentine has wide, shallow flats with sections of rocky bottom and weedy patches. These features make it an excellent location for bream fishing, as bream tend to patrol the edges looking for food. The shallow flats in Ravenswood are best fished on a rising tide, and a slow approach with soft plastics or lightly weighted baits can yield great results.
North Yunderup Flats
Located along the river near North Yunderup, these flats are easily accessible and are known for holding bream, especially during tidal changes. The area has several sandy patches and small drop-offs where bream congregate to hunt for small fish and crustaceans. Fishing along the edges or casting into deeper channels can be highly productive in this area.
Murray Bend Flats
The Murray Bend area near where the Serpentine merges with the Murray River offers flats that are popular with bream anglers. This area has brackish water and is affected by both river currents and tidal influences, creating a unique habitat for bream. The flats around Murray Bend can be fished effectively with soft plastics and small hardbodies, especially during high tide.
Tips and Techniques for Targeting Bream on the Flats
Fishing the flats of the Serpentine River requires a subtle and strategic approach. Bream are known to be cautious, especially in shallow water where they’re more exposed. Here are some tips to help you target bream effectively on the Serpentine River flats:
Timing: Bream are often most active on the flats during tidal movements, particularly on a rising tide. As the water rises, bream move into the shallows to feed, making this an ideal time to cast into the flats. Early mornings and late afternoons also tend to be productive, as bream are less wary during low-light conditions.
Stealthy Approach: In clear, shallow water, bream can be easily spooked. When wading, move slowly and avoid making too much noise. Casting from a distance and staying low will increase your chances of getting close enough for a bite. If you’re fishing from a kayak, approach quietly to prevent alerting the fish.
Light Tackle: Bream fishing on the flats is best done with light tackle. A 1-3 kg rod with a fast action allows you to feel even the lightest bites while still having the power to land a bream. A 2000-2500 size reel paired with a light fluorocarbon leader (6-8 lb) is ideal for targeting cautious bream in the Serpentine.
Lure Selection: Choose lures that mimic the natural prey found on the flats, such as small fish, prawns, and crabs. Soft plastics in natural colors like brown, olive, and clear are effective, as are small hardbodies and crab imitations. The goal is to present the lure in a way that appears natural and unthreatening.
Presentations: Slow and steady retrieves are often effective when targeting bream on the flats. Techniques like slow rolling, bottom-hopping, and suspending retrieves can mimic the movement of prey and entice bream to strike. Experiment with pauses and subtle twitches to trigger a reaction from the fish.
Tackle and Lure Recommendations for Serpentine River Bream
Using the right tackle and lures can make a big difference when fishing for bream on the flats. Here’s a breakdown of the ideal tackle and lure setup for the Serpentine River:
Rod and Reel
A light spinning rod in the 6-7 foot range with a 1-3 kg rating is suitable for bream fishing on the flats. Paired with a 2000-2500 size reel, this setup allows for accurate casting, sensitivity to detect light bites, and enough power to handle bream in shallow water.
Line and Leader
A 6-8 lb braided line is ideal for its sensitivity and casting distance, which is useful when fishing flats. Attach a fluorocarbon leader in the 6-8 lb range for added abrasion resistance and stealth, as bream can be leader-shy in clear water.
Effective Lures
Soft Plastics: Paddle-tail or curl-tail soft plastics in the 2-3 inch range are effective for bream on the flats. Natural colors like brown, green, or clear work well in the Serpentine, as they imitate the small fish and crustaceans that bream feed on.
Crab Imitations: Since bream feed on crustaceans, crab imitations are a popular choice. Use small, subtle-colored crabs on a light jighead to keep them near the bottom, where bream are likely to pick them up.
Hardbody Lures: Small hardbody lures that mimic baitfish can be productive on the Serpentine River flats. A slow retrieve with occasional pauses is often effective for attracting bream, especially in areas with structure.
The Serpentine River’s flats provide an ideal environment for anglers seeking the thrill of bream fishing in Mandurah’s scenic estuarine waters. From Goegrup Lake to Murray Bend, the river offers diverse habitats that attract black bream and other species, making it a fantastic destination for those who enjoy fishing on light tackle. With a bit of patience, a subtle approach, and the right lures, anglers can experience the rewarding challenge of catching bream on the flats of the Serpentine River.
