Starting With Small Vibe Lures For Bream

Fishing with small vibe lures for bream has gained popularity among anglers due to the effectiveness of these lures in triggering bites from this often finicky species. Vibe lures, also known as vibration lures or blade baits, are compact, hard-bodied lures that emit strong vibrations when retrieved, mimicking the movements of small fish or other prey. Their versatility and lifelike action make them ideal for enticing bream, particularly in situations where other lures might fall short.

Why Use Vibe Lures for Bream?

Bream are naturally curious and cautious fish, but they’re also opportunistic feeders. Vibe lures have several characteristics that appeal to bream:

Strong Vibrations: The intense vibrations emitted by vibe lures mimic distressed baitfish, which can attract bream from a distance, even in murky or low-visibility conditions.

Compact Profile: Bream are often more willing to strike smaller lures. Small vibe lures offer a compact and non-intimidating profile that matches the size of natural prey they target.

Ability to Fish at Various Depths: Vibe lures are highly versatile and can be fished at different depths, making them suitable for shallow flats, deeper channels, and everything in between.

Effective in Both Tidal and Freshwater: Vibes work equally well in tidal estuaries, rivers, and lakes, making them a go-to lure for bream in a variety of environments.

Choosing the Right Vibe Lure for Bream

Size and Weight
Small vibe lures in the 35-45mm range are ideal for bream. They provide the right balance of subtlety and attraction without intimidating the fish.

Select a lighter weight for shallow areas and slower retrieves, around 3-5 grams, and opt for slightly heavier vibes (5-7 grams) for deeper water or faster currents.

Color Selection
In clear water, natural colors like silver, brown, or olive work best, as they closely resemble small baitfish or shrimp.

In murky or stained water, try brighter colors like chartreuse, pink, or orange, which can help the lure stand out and grab the attention of bream from a distance.

Single or Treble Hooks
Vibe lures often come with treble hooks, which can help increase hook-up rates, especially if bream are short-striking. However, in snag-prone areas, swapping to single hooks can reduce snags and make it easier to release the fish without causing injury.

Techniques for Fishing Vibe Lures for Bream

The Lift-and-Drop Technique
How to Do It: Cast your vibe lure and let it sink to the bottom. Then, lift your rod tip to make the lure vibrate and rise a few inches off the bottom, followed by a pause to allow the lure to sink again.

Why It Works: The lift-and-drop technique mimics the erratic movement of a distressed or fleeing baitfish, which can trigger bream to strike, particularly in areas where they’re feeding on bottom-dwelling prey.

Slow Rolling Retrieve
How to Do It: After casting, allow the vibe lure to reach the desired depth, then retrieve it slowly and steadily. Vibe lures produce a strong vibration even with a slow retrieve, which can be very effective.

Why It Works: This technique is less aggressive and can appeal to bream that are not actively chasing down prey. The subtle vibrations from a slow retrieve often entice curious bream to follow and strike.

Burn-and-Pause Technique
How to Do It: Retrieve the lure quickly for a few turns of the reel, then pause and let it sink. Repeat this process in a rhythmic manner.

Why It Works: The fast-moving lure followed by a sudden pause mimics a baitfish attempting to flee before pausing in exhaustion. This erratic movement can provoke bream to strike during the pause.

Bouncing Off the Bottom
How to Do It: Let the vibe lure sink to the bottom and give short, sharp lifts to make the lure “hop” along the substrate.

Why It Works: This technique is especially effective around sandy or muddy bottoms where bream are foraging for crustaceans and other bottom-dwelling prey. The lure kicking up small puffs of sediment can mimic natural food sources and attract curious bream.

Where to Fish Vibe Lures for Bream

Shallow Flats: During high tides, bream often move into shallow flats to forage. Use a lighter vibe and a slow retrieve to target them in these areas.

Structure-Rich Areas: Bream are structure-oriented fish and often gather around rock walls, jetties, bridge pylons, and fallen trees. A lift-and-drop technique can be particularly effective in these areas.

Deep Channels and Drop-Offs: In low tide or colder weather, bream may move to deeper water. Heavier vibes and the slow-rolling retrieve or bottom-bouncing technique work well here.

Estuary Mouths and Tidal Flows: Bream are often attracted to the baitfish and other prey that gather in tidal flows. Fish near the edges of these currents using a burn-and-pause or lift-and-drop technique to trigger a reaction strike.

Tips for Fishing Small Vibe Lures for Bream

Use Light Tackle: A light spinning rod (1-4 kg) with a 1000-2500 size reel is ideal for bream. Light braided line (4-6 lb) paired with a 4-6 lb fluorocarbon leader allows for sensitive detection of bites and better control over the lure.

Pay Attention to the Vibration: The feel of the vibration is your guide. If you’re not feeling consistent vibrations, slow down or change your angle of retrieve to make sure the lure is working properly.

Adjust for Conditions: On sunny days, bream might be in shaded or deeper areas, so use a heavier vibe to reach them. In cloudy or windy conditions, they may be more active and closer to the surface, allowing you to use a lighter vibe with a more active retrieve.

Focus on Tides: Bream are more likely to move into shallower areas during rising or high tides, so these are ideal times to fish shallow flats and around structure. During lower tides, target deeper channels or drop-offs.



Fishing small vibe lures for bream is a versatile and effective approach that allows you to target this species in various environments and conditions. By choosing the right size, weight, and color, and by using a range of techniques, you can increase your chances of success with bream. The unique vibrations and realistic profile of vibe lures make them a powerful tool for enticing bites, even from cautious fish. With some patience and practice, you’ll find that small vibe lures can become a go-to option for bream fishing in Australian waters.