The Bream Fishing Project

EP165 – NSW Tournament Series, Foster, July 12–13, 2025

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to one of Andrew’s favourite waterways — Forster — for the NSW Tournament Series, held July 12–13, 2025. This round had it all: clear weather, light winds, and a bite period that lined up perfectly with the fish catches.
Andrew breaks down the tides and bite periods for both days, then dives straight into detailed angler interviews from the top of the leaderboard. You’ll hear how each team approached the racks, what lures worked, and how subtle changes in technique made all the difference.
🎣 Top 3 Teams
🥇 1st Place – Team Stratosphere: David MastersDavid backed up his Lake Mac win with another impressive result, going back-to-back with 7.46kg over two days. He fished solo and dominated the rock wall using small crabs on light braid-to-leader setups.
🥈 2nd Place – Team Tackle Addiction / Dizzy Scent: Rick King & Ryan Honeybrook.The pair christened their new Triton 165 bass boat in style, finishing with 6.08kg and landing the only kilo fish of the comp. Their key baits were Aqua and Gulp Crabby soft plastics, fished precisely through the racks.
🥉 3rd Place – Team Skeeter: Hayden Wadsworth & Chris SmithA consistent performance across both days with 5.71kg, working grubs and crankbaits through the racks. The duo capitalised on calmer conditions after recent floods, fine-tuning their approach with Bait Junkie 2.5” grubs in “Mud Blood”.
🌊 Bite Period Highlights
Saturday: Minor 7:08–8:38 AM | Major 11:46 AM–2:16 PM
Sunday: Minor 7:45–9:15 AM | Major 12:38–3:08 PMFish activity aligned perfectly with these windows — worth noting for anyone fishing Foster in similar conditions.
🧠 Techniques & Tactics
Grubs & Crabbies dominated across both days
Rack edges and outer poles produced quality fish
Key leaders: 8–12lb fluorocarbon
Common thread: patience, precision, and timing around bite periods
🙌 Thanks & Shoutouts
Big thanks to Grant Oliver and the NSW Tournament Series crew for running another great event.And congratulations to Collective members who made podiums across recent comps — including Rick King in this one!
🔗 Connect & Support
Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective for live sessions, deep-dive challenges, and bonus content: breamfishingproject.supercast.com
Follow on Instagram: @thebreamfishingproject
#BreamFishing #Foster #BreamTournaments #LureFishing #TheBreamFishingProject #NSWTournamentSeries #BaitJunkie #CrabbyLures #FishingPodcast #KayakFishing #EstuaryFishing #RackFishing #FishingAustralia

EP:164 The Monthly Report, November 2025 With Brett Geddes

EP164 — November Monthly Report w/ Brett Geddes: 
In this month’s report, Andrew is joined again by Brett Geddes to break down November across the bream fishing scene. They talk tournaments, upcoming finals, squid sessions, flathead on blades, old lures making a return, and what’s been happening around the traps. This one has plenty of laughs, stories and good info if you like your bream fishing news, reports and tackle chat.
Episode Highlights✅ Squid mission success✅ Flathead talk✅ Old-school lures making a comeback✅ Tournament scene updates✅ What’s been happening on the water✅ A few tangents and the usual laughs
Mentioned in the show:
Tournaments and events
Squid gear
Flathead lures
General conditions and reports
If you enjoy the Monthly Report, hit like, subscribe, and drop a comment with what you’ve been catching or what you want covered next month.
Join The Collective (early access, bonus shows, live streams):https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com
Follow on Instagram:https://instagram.com/thebreamfishingproject

Ep 163: ABT Grand Final 2025 – Winner’s Interview: Mark “Crommo” Crompton (Full Report)

Welcome back to The Bream Fishing Project—this is Part 2 of our ABT Grand Final 2025 wrap, the winner’s report with Mark “Crommo” Crompton.
Across three days split between Marlo – Bemm River – Marlo, Crommo delivered a full 15-fish limit for 13.795 kg (as stated in the interview), with day bags called out in the chat including:
Day 1 (Marlo): 5 for 4.430 kg
Day 2 (Bemm River): 5 for 4.010 kg
Day 3 (Marlo): 5 for 5.355 kg
Inside this hour you’ll hear (all straight from the interview):
Mindset & game plan: staying calm, backing a tight zone, and choosing bag first over hero hunting.
Reading the system in spawn: why he targeted transition water and used schools of salmon/EPs as a clue, not a distraction.
Slow-motion presentations: letting prawn imitations soak for minutes until the ‘tick’.
Lures & weights mentioned: Smash Baits/Roz prawn shapes and Hurricane Sprat 75 fork tail, commonly on 1/40–1/20–1/12 heads, swapping by depth, wind and salmon pressure; colours called out included “beer bottle/duro” (Smash Bait) and Machete/Cleaver (Hurricane).
Terminal choices: BKK hooks on Daiwa Covert or Bait Junkie jig heads.
Leaders & main line: ~3 rod lengths of 3-lb J-Thread Finesse to a 12-carrier PE (diameter-first thinking).
Electronics & boat control: dual-view ActiveTarget (forward + perspective), Power-Poles for shallow anchoring when spot-lock wasn’t viable.
Rods & reels he loves: the ultra-light old 7’3” “Geck” sticks, and Daiwa Exist/Tatula 2500 shallow spools.
Product talk: first impressions of ShyneAway line mattifier—how he applies it and the simple “didn’t hurt me” verdict.
A moment that matters: celebrating with his wife Dani and Alvy (“There’s my daddy—he just won a boat!”).
The prize pack (as described): Ally Craft Bass Pro Series 530 with Mercury 150 Pro XS Racing, full Garmin kit with Force electric and LiveScope, Green Marine lithiums, on a Redco trailer—quoted at ~$95k total.
Big thanks in the ep to: Steve Morgan & Nicole at ABT, and to sponsors/support mentioned by Mark: Daiwa, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rise Above Plumbing.
If you enjoyed this, please follow/subscribe and leave a rating—it really helps.
—Join The Collective (early access + live sessions & extras): breamfishingproject.supercast.comInstagram: @thebreamfishingprojectHost: Andrew Death (2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion)
Bullet Highlights (for quick skim in apps)
Winner’s mindset: calm, bag-first strategy
Where/why: transition zones during spawn
Lures: Smash Baits/ prawn shapes & Hurricane Sprat 75 FT
Weights: 1/40–1/20–1/12 depending on wind/depth/salmon
Leader: ~3 rod lengths of 3-lb J-Thread Finesse
Live imaging: forward + perspective; how he avoided spooking
Boat control: Power-Poles > spot-lock on skinny flats
Gear chat: BKK hooks, Daiwa Exist/Tatula, the featherweight 7’3” “Geck”
Product: ShineAway line mattifier—how he applies it
Family moment + prize pack (~$95k)
 

EP 162: 🎣 ABT 2025 Grand Final – Marlo & Bemm River | Non-Boater & Boater Podiums

🎣 ABT 2025 Grand Final – Marlo & Bemm River | Non-Boater & Boater Podiums
In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project Podcast, host Andrew Death kicks things off with a quick look back at the standout ABT winners from throughout the 2025 season, before diving into the action from the Daiwa BREAM Series Grand Final, held across Marlo and Bemm River in Victoria from October 14–16.
Anglers faced shifting tides, strong winds, and testing conditions — but the country’s best still found ways to make it happen.This episode features the top three non-boaters and the third-placed boater, followed by ABT’s Steve Morgan, who finished second overall. Each guest shares their lures, retrieves, and tactical decisions that defined their Grand Final results.
🏆 Non-Boater Division
🥇 Samuel Rako – Four fish for 3.34 kg while fishing with Ian Nielsen and Scott Sauna.Samuel explains how listening to past podcast episodes helped him prepare, and how crank crabs, plastics, and Clone Prawns produced when the bite was tough.
🥈 Lance Marsh – Five fish for 3.20 kg using Z-Man Prawns, brown Chubbies, and Hybrid Shrimps.He breaks down the lure tweaks and patient retrieves that delivered late-day upgrades.
🥉 Chris Hokin – Four fish for 3.155 kg, including a key 1.25 kg bream on a Gulp Baby Prawn at Marlo, then switching to the Daiwa Hybrid Shrimp with Steve Morgan at Bemm River to finish his limit.
🚤 Boater Division
🥉 Mario Vukic – 12.37 kg across three days using bloodworm Wrigglers, VX35/40 blades, and Z-Man Grubs.Mario shares how he worked the sand-edge drifts, downsized to 2 lb fluoro, and relied on proven soft plastics for consistency.
🥈 Steve Morgan – 12.775 kg total, combining Garmin Perspective Mode and Humminbird Mega Live 2 to find scattered fish and tempt them with the Daiwa Hybrid Shrimp.Steve talks through live-sonar strategy and pays tribute to Nicole Smith and the ABT team behind the scenes.
🎧 Episode Highlights
ABT 2025 Grand Final – Marlo & Bemm River recap
Podium interviews: Samuel Rako, Lance Marsh, Chris Hokin, Mario Vukic & Steve Morgan
Lures: Daiwa Hybrid Shrimp, Z-Man Prawns & Grubs, VX Blades, Bloodworm Wriggler
Live-sonar tactics & tide-driven bite patterns
Behind-the-scenes ABT insights from Steve Morgan
🎙️ Hosted by: Andrew Death📍 Event: ABT BREAM Series 2025 Grand Final – Marlo & Bemm River📆 Recorded: October 2025
👉 Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective for bonus content, live-stream replays & monthly challenges:breamfishingproject.supercast.com
📢 Next episode: Don’t miss the winner’s interview with Mark “Crommo” Crompton, coming up next on The Bream Fishing Project Podcast.

EP 161: ABT Victorian Open - Gippsland Lakes October 11 - 12, 2025

🎣 ABT Victorian Open – Gippsland Lakes (Oct 11–12 2025) | Winner: Dan Kent (13.419 kg)
Episode Summary
A huge Victorian Open at Gippsland Lakes with monster bags and wall-to-wall action. Andrew recaps event stats (tides, bite periods, weather) and then dives straight into angler interviews: winner Dan Kent (13.419 kg for 9 fish), 2nd Mitchell Blomquist (13.020 kg for 10 fish), and 4th Peter Breukel (12.008 kg for 10 fish). Hear how they located fish, the lures that did damage, how live imaging and sight-casting came together, and why rock, weed edges, and timing made all the difference.
Andrew also shares a quick note about new sponsors and encourages listeners to support the brands that support the show — and to check out The Collective for upcoming challenges.
🗓️ Event Overview
Event: ABT Victorian Open
Venue: Gippsland Lakes
Dates: Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 October 2025
Saturday: Fish Activity Wheel 46 | Minor Bite 7:57 – 9:27 a.m. | Low 5:21 a.m. (0.55 m) | High 12:13 p.m. (1.11 m)
Sunday: Fish Activity Wheel 33 | Minor Bite 8:52 – 10:22 a.m. | Low 4:40 a.m. (0.63 m) | High 1:07 p.m. (1.09 m)
🎣 Interview 1 – Peter Breukel (4th Place, 12.008 kg total)
Bags: Day 1 – 7.005 kg | Day 2 – 5.003 kg | 10 fish total.
Approach: Started in the Mitchell River, then moved to reef + weed-edge zones packed with fish on perspective mode.
Lures: Sickle 85 Sprat (1/30 jighead), Spike 44, Slam deep hardbody, RBX 66, Fat 37 UV, Naughty’s vibes.
Technique: Cast tight to the weed edge, fish on bottom, constant contact key.
Tackle: 3–4 lb Yamatoyo Harris Fighter leader | PE 0.4 mainline.
Notes: Dozens of 36–41 fork fish; defended productive spot once scores appeared.
Payout: ≈ $2,000 + plaque + badge.
Thanks: Nicole Smith & Steve Morgan (ABT), Hurricane Lures (“Naughto”), Kris Hickson, Manning River Marine, and Kath for her support.
🎣 Interview 2 – Mitchell Blomquist (2nd Place, 13.020 kg total)
Bags: 6.565 kg + 6.455 kg = 13.020 kg (10 fish).
Prefish: Checked Mitchell River / ILT jetties → moved to Eagle Bay (timber + rock wall, big tides holding water).
Lure: Single SX-48 #390 (clear with green stripes) for the entire event.
Method: Slow-rolling hardbody; “if you think you’re winding slow, wind slower.” Combined sight casting and perspective mode.
Fish Size: Smallest ≈ 34 fork; many 37 fork fish.
Gear: 6’9” Shimano rod | 2500 reel | PE 0.6 | Yamatoyo Harris Fighter 4 lb leader.
Shoutouts: JML Angler’s Alliance (Tony), Shimano (event sponsor), Josh Carpenter & Starlo (event coverage), Dad (pre-fish partner), travel crew (Scott, Peter Breukel, Jamie McEwen), ABT (Steve Morgan & Nicole Smith), and Andrew’s podcast for the road trips.
🥇 Interview 3 – Dan Kent (Winner, 13.419 kg total)
Bags: Day 1 – 6.792 kg (5) | Day 2 – 6.627 kg (4) = 9 fish @ ~1.49 kg average.
Prefish: Hollands Landing (no fish) → Paynesville canals (back-up bag fish ≈ 32 fork).
Day 1: Launched Paynesville → Mitchell Flats rock bar; deep-diving Chubby scratched through rocks in ~1–1.2 m; dirty water, heavy scent; steady upgrades all day.
Hooks: Decoy Y25 Size 10.
Rod/Line: Custom Miller Rod Control Freak (1–3 kg) | 9 lb Yamatoyo PE Resinate | 5 lb Yamatoyo leader.
Day 2: Glassed-out start; moved back outside the Silt Jetties; side-scan lit up with fish in 2.2 m; switched to Hurricane Sprat 75 on 1/8 oz painted motor-oil TT jighead | 6 lb leader.
Landed four fish over 40 fork (43 fork ≈ 1.8 kg) in one-hour window (12–1 p.m.).
Payout: $7,000 cash + ABT trophy (Vic Open Champion) + exclusive patch.
Business: Runs Apollo Bay Fishing Charters (31’ Noosa Cat – snapper, flatties, gummies, school sharks, tuna). Summer spots open now via website calendar.
Thanks: Mates Alex, Fran, Matt, Kit & Declan, ABT (Steve Morgan & Nicole Smith), family for support, and the ABT community for a great event.
💡 Key Takeaways
Dirty water + rock: A deep chubby crashed through rock was the bite trigger.
Weed-edge precision: Bottom contact with plastics and hardbodies was critical.
Fish movement: Shifting from rivers to lake edges to outer lines required timing with tides and wind.
Light leaders, heavy confidence: 3–6 lb leaders handled serious blacks.
Seeing is believing: Perspective / Live Scope and sight-casting produced massive bags.
🔗 Links & Mentions
Coverage: Josh Carpenter & Starlo
ABT Team: Steve Morgan & Nicole Smith
Dan’s Charters: apollobayfishingcharters.com.au
Join The Collective: breamfishingproject.supercast.com
 

EP 160 — Hobie Kayak (Round 4), Lake Macquarie — 24–25 May 2025

In this episode, we return to Lake Macquarie for Hobie Kayak Round 4, held on 24–25 May 2025 — an event shaped by major flooding across the region in the lead-up. With the system running high, dirty, and cold, anglers were forced to adapt quickly, reading the salt wedge, adjusting lure weights, and finding cleaner water zones to stay in the game.
Andrew kicks things off by breaking down the fish activity wheel, tide times, and key bite periods for both days. He also reflects on his own weekend — including the rare decision not to fish on Day 2 — and how misreading the system initially shaped his approach.
From there, we dive into three full-length podium interviews packed with tactical gold:
🥉 Jared Hickman (4.01 kg total) — makes his first podium with a shallow crankbait bite on a wind-blown rock wall, using a Pro Lure F36 in matt black and carefully working rough water with 5 lb leaders and 0.6 PE braid.
🥈 Joseph Gardner (4.09 kg) — travelling from WA, Joseph adapts brilliantly to the salt wedge line, targeting fish in 2–3.5 m over reef edges with Bait Junkie Wave Minnows and grubs. His detailed insight into tracking the salt/fresh boundary is a masterclass in reading post-flood systems.
🥇 Greg Crebert (4.84 kg) — the local angler dominates Day 1 with a 2.73 kg bag on a Jackall Chubby Vibe fished deep in rough, dirty water. He locks into a handful of quality bites over a 50 m stretch, then switches gears on Day 2 to work Clone Prawns and Hurricane Fats along the drained edges to secure the win.
This episode is loaded with tactical takeaways on cranking rock walls, deep-vibe presentations, salt wedge positioning, and adjusting to post-flood systems. Whether you fish Lake Macquarie regularly or just want to sharpen your tournament skills, this is a must-listen recap.
 

Ep 159 — Angler Profile: Liam Carruthers — Crabs, Bridges & Big Bream Stories

This is the first Angler Profile on The Bream Fishing Project—and it’s a cracker. Andrew sits down with Liam Carruthers (2015 ABT BREAM Grand Final champion; multiple AFC titles) to trace his lure-fishing journey and pull apart the techniques he’s best known for.
Across the chat you’ll hear:
Origin story: moving to Nowra, a fateful visit to the local tackle shop, and a first Yellowfin bream on a blade (36 fork) that lit the fire.
Paying dues: the early Hawkesbury learning curve, soaking up weigh-in wisdom from the “OGs,” and three seasons of “don’t donut” before it all clicked.
Opening up the playbook on Cranka Crabs:
Bridge pylons, rock walls/reefs in heavy tide, shallow rock with oyster clusters, potholing on flats, and pitching under boats.
Working with current (casting up-tide, feeling the “machine-gun” bite), managing snags, and why fast water does the work for you.
Gear notes mentioned in the chat: Miller Rods Brawler, 2500-size spin, ~10 lb braid, Sunline V-Hard 6–8 lb leaders; plus a summer trick—3 lb straight fluoro and a heavy crab for marina/boat hulls.
When and why Liam upsizes to the larger crab model around deep boulders in the Spencer/Middle Hawkesbury.
Crankbaits for the mid-column fish: why he likes the Daiwa Spike MR on bridges (casting tight, letting it “tick” pylons), favourite colours called out (Matte Prawn, Suji tones), and a quick note on swapping to a stickier rear treble.
Topwater windows: glass-outs and Victorian flats (e.g., Mallacoota), plus the adrenaline hit of running surface lures over racks.
Formative detour: two years in the U.S. bass scene that forced lure/technique diversity—then returning home ready to read systems instead of locking into one approach.
Big-fish memories: a giant Gippsland Lakes fish measured to the fork on a tournament ruler, and a late, heavy Sydney Harbour bridge-pylon bruiser that swam out from danger on a social day.
Shout-outs as mentioned by Liam: Cranka, Mako Eyewear, Hot Tackle, On The Chew, and Miller Rods.
If you’re keen to refine your bridge and current game—or finally make friends with crabs—this episode’s packed with practical detail straight from the conversation.
 
 
 

Hobie 2026: New Owners, New Energy + Full Series 17 Calendar Reveal

Today’s a special one: Chris Purnell joins me to wrap Series 16, explain the big Hobie ownership change, and reveal the 2025 Hobie Kayak Fishing Series (Series 17) calendar — including a mid-week Bemm River opener, a Tassie double-header, and Mallacoota in October leading into a Victorian AC.
What we cover
Hobie ownership update: context on the restructure and the brand’s move under Bass Pro’s White River Marine Group, and what that means for AU/NZ dealers, parts, and anglers.
Series 16 takeaways: tough late-season fishing (e.g., Wallaga Lake), standout bags, and why some arenas deserve a second look.
Series 17 (2025) calendar & key notes (dates/locations below).
Shout-outs to anglers (the heart of the series) and sponsors (incl. naming-rights partner Daiwa).
2025 Hobie Kayak Fishing Series (Series 17) – Dates & Locations
(AC = Australian Championship; pre-Fish and lay day marked where relevant)
Early Feb — AC (Australia): exact dates/location TBA (announcement ASAP).
Feb 17–18 (Tue–Wed) — Bemm River, VIC (mid-week)
Feb 16 (Mon) — pre-Fish
Feb 19 (Thu) — lay day
Feb 21–22 (Sat–Sun) — Marlo, VIC
Feb 20 (Fri) — pre-Fish
Mar 20–21 — Wallaga Lake, NSW
Apr 8–9 (mid-week) — Little Swanport, TAS
Apr 10 — pre-Fish
Apr 11–12 — Swan River, TAS
Tassie travel option: indicative Spirit of Tasmania sailings discussed (in via Geelong→Devonport ~Mon Apr 6, out Sun Apr 13). Most anglers base in Swansea.
Local partners: Tasmanian Kayak Fishing Series & Launceston Angling Club (local bump tubs/scales). Limited loan kayaks likely; details to be confirmed via Hobie AU.
May 2–3 — Forster, NSW
Jun 20–21 — Georges River, NSW
Jul 18–19— Lake Macquarie, NSW
Aug 15–16 — Gold Coast, QLD (Broadwater Tourist Park launch as per usual setup)
September — No round (spring transition month)
Oct 10–11 — Mallacoota, VIC
November — AC (Victoria) TBA (southern venue; details to follow)
Start / Briefing times: Events typically run a briefing ~6:30am with start ~7:00am — please confirm each round’s official times on the event listing.
Why these dates?
Targeting better tides/moons than Series 16’s back-half.
Tassie double-header to make travel worthwhile (Little Swanport → Swan River).
Forster in early May (historically strong window).
Gold Coast mid-August to avoid clashes and school-holiday pressure.
Mallacoota in October to set up a Victorian AC in November.
Quick acknowledgements (from Chris)
Anglers: there’s no series without you.
Sponsors: especially Daiwa (naming rights) and the many family-run partners backing the tour.
Hobie AU team behind the scenes: Brad, Darryl, Zoe, Tamika, Scotty, Mick, Shane, and more.
If you’re looking at Tassie, start scoping accommodation around Swansea and keep an eye out for the Spirit of Tasmania details mentioned in the episode. For loan-kayak availability and local logistics, contact the Hobie AU media team via the email referenced in the show.
—Guest: Chris PurnellHost: Andrew De (2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion)Show: The Bream Fishing Project

EPISODE 157: WATA KAYAK ROUND 3 HOBIE QUALIFYING ROUND, SWAN RIVER 26-27 JULY, 2025

Swan River, WA — Kayak Round 2 Recap (26–27 July) | Hobie qualifier
This episode returns to Western Australia for a deep dive on Kayak Round 2 on the Swan River, held 26–27 July in conjunction with Hobie Fishing (a qualifying round for the Hobie Kayak Fishing Series). Andrew opens with bite windows and tides, then steps through the podium interviews with Matt McCarthy (3rd), Joseph Gardner (2nd), and winner Travis Newland (1st)—including how they adapted to a brutal weather change on Day 2.
Tides & bite periods mentioned
Saturday:
Minor bite: 7:35–9:05 AM
Major bite: 12:33–3:03 PM
High tide: 10:12 AM (~0.7 m) → Low tide: 7:27 PM (~0.3 m)
Sunday:
Minor bite: 8:06–9:36 AM
Major bite: 1:19–3:49 PM
High tide: 10:39 AM → Low tide: 7:39 PM (0.35 m)
Big Bream & awards
Day 1 Big Bream: Paul Siemaszko — 1.18 kg
Day 2 & Overall Big Bream + Monster Mover: Rick Raynham — 1.27 kg
Podium interviews
3rd — Matt McCarthy (6/6 for 3.970 kg; 2.26 kg then 1.71 kg)
Approach: Started near Garrett Road Bridge, then worked down to the Belmont stretch. Found stacked fish on live/side scan but many were shut down.
Key bites: Early flurry on an old jetty/marker line; upgraded along a two-metre contour where fish moved up and down “like a highway.”
Tackle notes: Mixed confidence baits (including mussel/crab profiles and light plastics); went as light as 3 lb straight-through fluorocarbon when bites were subtle.
Day 2: Weather made visual line control hard; persisted, left with a full bag late after grinding through rain and wind.
Takeaway: Commit to zones holding life (even when fish are lock-jaw) and cycle proven confidence baits patiently.
2nd — Joseph Gardner (6/6 for 4.660 kg; 2.310 kg then 2.350 kg)
Prefish: Four sessions with patchy results from upriver to downriver; no firm pattern before the event.
Day 1 route: Tried Garrett Road Bridge (no eaters), then picked fish from Maylands Yacht Club/old jetty area and opposite banks; added reaction upgrades on small vibes when mussel bites were too slow.
Day 2 pivot: In severe cold/rain, timed a window at Claisebrook Cove—casting a pygmy mussel to the waterfall/drain edge before the drain began pumping hard again—pulling three key legals in ~90 minutes.
Tackle notes: Ran heavier leaders (6–8 lb) with prawn/mussel profiles; used a single rear hook on baby vibes to reduce weed/snags.
Result: Another consistent runner-up finish, crediting patience, timing and a crucial drain bite window.
1st — Travis Newland (6/6 for 5.230 kg; 2.53 kg then 2.70 kg; kicker 1.14 kg)
Game plan: No recent prefish; trusted a down-river milk run and slow, heavy bottom work with compact yabby/creature profiles.
Day 1: Early fish from a creek mouth drop-off, then built a quality bag along the Belmont banks, working the drop-off methodically in current/wind.
Day 2 (storm): Paddled straight to the key stretch; landed a “kegger” behind an overhanging tree, then another big fish later. Finished with a strong third fish (~33 fork) to seal it.
Tackle notes: Predominantly a yabby/creature (“Bruce”) on a heavier jighead; 12 lb braid to 4 lb fluoro leader, light, soft-tipped rod to let big fish play out on clean ground.
Outcome: Win by ~700 g, plus Hobie AC qualifying spot and $650. Emphasis on patience, line control and repeated passes over a short, productive 50 m lane.
Episode themes you’ll hear
Reading wind/current lanes and depth contours (2 m “highways”).
When to stay ultra-finesse (straight-through light fluoro) vs. forcing a reaction with small vibes.
Timing drain/flow windows (bite flurries before outflow surges).
Managing mindset and decisions when it’s cold, wet, and slow—especially in kayaks.
Hosted by: 2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion Andrew Death.If you enjoyed this recap, please subscribe and leave a rating. Andrew also mentions The Bream Fishing Project Collective for anglers who want extra tactics, live sessions and community chat.
 
 
 

Episode 156: The Monthly Report, October, 2025

Welcome to the Bream Fishing Project — October Monthly ReportWith Brett Geddes back on the mic, we cover a huge month: national comp calendar, honest session breakdowns (the good, the bad, and the donuts), tackle and tech that moved the needle, and bigger-picture news that matters to kayak lure anglers.
Around the Grounds (October comps)
Hobie — Burrill Lake (Thu 2 Oct, AOY points only, mid-week round)
Hobie — BurleyPro Fish Tech, St Georges Basin (4–5 Oct) — Andrew will be there
NSW Tournament Series — Grand Final, Botany Bay (25–26 Oct)
ABT — Vic Open, Gippsland Lakes (11–12 Oct)
ABT — Grand Final, Bemm & Marlo (14–16 Oct)
Action Fishing Tournaments — Grand Final, Camden Haven (25–26 Oct)
Vic Bream Classics — Round 5, Warrnambool (18–19 Oct)
WATA — Boat Rd 3, Swan River (Perth, 5 Oct)
ECBS — Grand Final, Sydney Harbour (19 Oct)
Segments
What Cheeses Me Off — 
New segment tease — “I think I did a dumb thing” 
Sessions, Tactics & Lessons
Waller Lake — Stunning, but savage: 55 donuts Day 1 (of 75); Jason Marshall ~3.5 kg. Andrew scratched two late Day 2 near the launch — lesson: don’t overrun the obvious.
Grubs Month (Collective focus)
Georges River — ActiveTarget on boat-holes/mooring blocks; Squidgy Wrigglers on 1/16 oz & lighter in 2–3 m; watched fish rise to the drift. Standout fish 36 fork, 32, 30, plus a salmon called on sonar.
Tunks Park — All-day grubs, great FFS interactions… and the missed photo that cost places.
St Georges Basin prefish — Salmon schools “called” on FFS (cast-to-distance trick worked for Stewie Dunn). Only one legal bream for Andrew. Stewie tangles with a very big mulloway on 5 lb/light gauge — compelling FFS footage shows scale vs bream.
Brett’s update — Windy spring, bream moody; perch to the rescue. From ~1400 to 1700 EPs, often 30–40/session on blades (Sprat/Tomahawk 85 style). Squid mission ongoing.
Big Bite & Big Picture
Yellowfin tuna (stickbaits) — Electric surface rushes, chaotic ramps; single stinger hook setups; airborne follows and missed bites provide insane visuals.
South Australia fish kill — Coastal oxygen event; tough for communities and tourism. Nature will rebound, but it’ll take time.
Community shout-outs
Andrew “Andy” Kettle — Land-based, night-only EP specialist; surface walkers/high-stick retrieve; “EP ninja” dedication.
Leon — Strong Hobie Day 1; three kayak rules: mussel, mussel, no flatties aboard.
Gear we mentioned 
Jabbers travel rods (6-piece) & Upper Cut trebles (12/14/16; strong, sticky; 100-pack jars).
BurleyPro HDS Pro visor (better screen & battery headroom); Connector Protectors (stop wet-plug corrosion).
Braid 0.4 PE white (rated 8 lb; higher measured break); considering bite-marker dots for strike watching (inspired by Joseph Gardner using multi-colour jigging braid).
Shyne Away leader treatment — Degloss + decontaminate to reduce visibility (most effective to up to 10–12 lb leaders).
Lovig Bay Boots — Warm/dry, easy winter wear; trying full size run at St Georges Basin.
Hobie news — Ownership update discussion; 180 drive aftermarket ceramic roller solution mentioned (alternative when out of warranty).
K-spike kayak power pole (Greg Rook; with Tony “Batman” Petty); lightweight 6/8/10 ft; drift chute attachment idea is clever.
Regional outlook (VIC/NSW)
Early spring bream remain fickle (Aug–Oct lull). Expect ramp-up as temps lift; dusky flathead to become a major play. Daylight savings adds post-work windows.
Timestamps / Chapters
(Adjust once your final audio export sets exact times.)
00:00 Intro — why this month matters
02:10 Around the Grounds — October comp calendar
08:45 Segment: What Cheeses Me Off (the 10 mm spanner)
12:20 New segment tease: “I think I did a dumb thing”
16:00 Wallaga Lake wrap — donuts, context, and late salvage
20:05 Georges River — grubs + ActiveTarget (fish rising to the drift)
25:10 Tunks Park — the missed photo lesson
28:30 St Georges Basin prefish — calling salmon on FFS; Stewie’s big mulloway on 5 lb
34:40 Brett’s perch run — 1,700 EPs, blade patterns, squid pains
40:25 Yellowfin stickbait bite — why it’s so wild
45:15 South Australia fish kill — what’s happening and why it matters
50:00 Community — Andrew “EP ninja” Kettle; Leon’s kayak rules
53:10 Gear — Jabbers trebles & rods
56:20 BurleyPro visor + connector protectors
59:15 Braid & bite-markers; Joseph Gardner note
1:02:20 Shyne Away leader matte
1:05:10 Lovig Bay Boots — try-ons at Basin
1:08:40 Hobie ownership chat; 180 ceramic fix; name change note
1:14:30 K-Spike kayak power pole preview
1:18:00 October fishing outlook
1:21:30 Interview workload & what’s coming
1:24:30 Hosting change to Podbean & dynamic ads
1:28:45 Outro & subscribe CTA