The Bream Fishing Project

EPISODE 135: 2025 DAIWA BREAM AUSTRALIAN OPEN, SYDNEY HARBOUR, 6 - 8 MAY, 2025 PART 2 THE WINNERS INTERVIEW!

Jamie McKeown – 3-Time Australian Open Champion Full Episode Description: In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, I’m joined by Jamie McKeown, who has just made history by becoming a three-time winner of the Daiwa BREAM Australian Open. With 15 fish for 10.405 kg across three days on Sydney Harbour, Jamie delivered one of the most consistent and hard-fought victories we’ve seen in years. We go deep into: 🎣 His practice day strategy 🚤 How he broke down boat hull zones across the harbour 🦀 The lures that made the difference: Outback Breamer Baits Mini Muss, PML Claw Crab, ZipBaits Khamsin Tiny, and the all-new Samaki Redic 40 💡 Tuning tips, boat positioning, and bite windows 🧠 The mental game of chasing a win — including moments he thought he’d lost it From Day 1 heartbreak to the winning bite on Day 3, Jamie shares everything: the gear, the thinking, and the hard-earned lessons that helped him come out on top once again. 👥 Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective Become part of the team. Get early access to episodes, exclusive bonus content, and join our lure-specific challenges designed to help you catch more fish. Each challenge focuses on one lure style over 4–6 weeks so we can all improve together. 👉 https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com 👕 Limited Tournament Shirts Our official Bream Fishing Project tournament shirts are almost sold out — grab one while you still can. 📺 Watch the Full Video on YouTube Check out the full video version of this interview on our YouTube channel — including footage, visuals, and bonus content. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube to stay up to date: The Bream Fishing Project on YouTube 📸 Follow us on Instagram @thebreamfishingproject 💬 If you're enjoying the show, please share it with your mates or leave a quick review — it really helps us grow.

Episode 134: 2025 DAIWA BREAM Australian Open, Sydney Harbour, 6 - 8 May, 2025 Part 1

2025 Daiwa BREAM Australian Open – Day 1 & 2 Deep Dive (feat. Tim Vickers & Steve Morgan) In this first part of our two-episode special, The Bream Fishing Project takes you into the heart of the 2025 Daiwa BREAM Australian Open — one of Australia’s premier lure-only bream tournaments, fished across Sydney Harbour and launching from Drummoyne Sailing Club. Host Andrew Death sets the tone with a sharp overview of the tournament structure, timing, and bite windows, before shifting gears into two of the most insightful, technical, and honest interviews you’ll hear all season. 🎣 Tim Vickers – From Bust-Offs to the Podium We follow Tim Vickers’ incredible run across the first two days of competition. After a tough Day 1 plagued by dropped fish and difficult conditions, Tim rebounds on Day 2 with a huge 3.945 kg bag, rocketing up the leaderboard into third. He walks us through: Fishing tight timber structure with 3lb straight-through and a 7’8” Daiwa Infeet rod How he managed fish that should have bricked him, using finesse gear, long rod angles, and clever boat control The bite patterns in Watsons Bay, Clifton Gardens, Shark Island, and Double Bay How lure colour, sink rate, and slack line presentation with the Pro Lure Hybrid Shrimp were absolutely critical Mental game under pressure, leaderboard strategy, and the decisions that shaped his comeback Tim also gives a brilliant look at his setup, mindset, and a few missteps — including pushing a hot spot too hard on Day 2 that came back to bite him on Day 3. 🐟 Steve Morgan – Precision Tactics & Big Bream in Crunch Time Next, Steve Morgan jumps on for a full tournament recap, and it’s classic Steve — analytical, honest, and deeply tactical. Steve dives into: His stick minnow-only strategy and why it dominated under calm, sunny, finesse conditions How he fished shallow moored boats with forward-facing sonar, presenting stick minnows with slack-line precision The specific Daiwa gear, lure modifications, and hook upgrades that turned lookers into biters Why he targeted eastern harbour over Parramatta River and how fish condition and location made a 150g per fish difference His Day 3 heroics, including landing a 38cm kicker in the final minutes to leapfrog into second place overall, justedging out Mario. Steve also breaks down his tournament planning, mindset, tackle selection, and how he thinks brim fishing coverage should evolve — making this a must-listen for serious anglers. This episode is packed with real tournament pressure, decision-making under fire, and gear breakdowns that you can apply straight to your own fishing. Whether you're here for the story or to sharpen your skills, this is one of the most in-depth episodes we’ve done. 🧢 Stay tuned for Part 2 — where we’ll catch up with the 2025 BREAM Australian Open Champion for a full breakdown of the win. Join the Bream Fishing Project Collective to level up your tournament fishing: breamfishingproject.supercast.com

Episode 133: 2025 Daiwa BREAM Series, Hawkesbury River, 3-4 May, 2025

Big Bream and Big Stories on the Hawkesbury – Daiwa BREAM Series May 2025 In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to the Hawkesbury River for the Daiwa BREAM Series, held over the weekend of May 3–4, 2025, with Bait Junkie as the proud round sponsor. It was a huge event with fast boats, heavy fuel bills, and some massive bream hitting the scales. We catch up with the top three non-boaters: 🎣 Rodney O’Sullivan – 1st place with 4.965kg 🎣 Aaron Bonser – 2nd place with 4.215kg 🎣 Aaron Booby – 3rd place with 4.1kg And the top three boaters: 🚤 Peter Breukel – 1st place with 8.59kg 🚤 Mark Crompton – 2nd place with 8.51kg 🚤 Mark Healey – 3rd place with 8.37kg We break down how each angler approached the comp — from chasing bream in deep current with UV crabs, to working rock walls and oyster racks, to high-speed runs up to Spencer and beyond. There's plenty of insight into tackle choices, bite patterns, Active Target use, and the key decisions that led to podium finishes. 🎣 Plus, don’t forget we’re halfway through our Mussel & Crab Lure Challenge inside The Bream Fishing Project Collective. Our mid-session catch-up Zoom is on Wednesday, May 21 at 8 p.m., and if you’re not in the Collective yet, join now at 👉 breamfishingproject.supercast.com Thanks again to our sponsors: HWS Hobie, fishin.com.au, Podium Marine Wraps, Bait Junkie, and all of our Collective supporters.

Episode 132: Vic Bream Classic, Round 1, Gippsland Lakes 22nd - 23rd, March 2025

Here’s a polished podcast episode description based on your transcript: 🎣 Vic Bream Classics 2025 – Club Marine East Gippsland Bream Classic Location: Gippsland Lakes Dates: March 22–23, 2025 This week on The Bream Fishing Project, we head to Gippsland Lakes for the Club Marine East Gippsland, Round 1 of the Vic Bream Classics 2025 series — and what a cracking round it was! With Gippsland Lakes absolutely firing, we break down an epic weekend of bream fishing, from record bags to monster upgrades and wild rides in the straits. Hear from the top three teams: 🥇 Team Zero Technique (Josh Jeffery & Connor Jackson): The new kids on the block stormed to victory with an incredible 6.86kg day-one bag and a 410g win margin — despite a late penalty scare! 🥈 Team Lowrance/Miller Rods (Paul Malov & Alex Franchuk ): Two second-place finishes in a row for these seasoned anglers, who share their tactics, heartbreak losses, and 21-rod tournament setups. 🥉 Team Samurai Rods (Dan Mackrell & Declan Betts): From 25th to 3rd with a huge 6.54kg day two bag — the guys dive deep into the strategy behind their comeback and the moment it all turned. Along the way, you’ll hear how baby flathead, elephant pants, and mid-comp dance moves all played a part in this action-packed round. 💬 Plus, stay tuned for tide and bite period data, lure selections, structure breakdowns, and an interesting discussion on how rod selection might be the key to landing big bream in gnarly snags. 🎧 Want more like this — and early access to episodes, exclusive content, and monthly live streams? 👉 Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective: https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com 🎁 New subscribers go into the draw for a Force Lures prize pack — odds are great, so sign up today! 👉 https://forcelures.com.au

Episode 131: Bream Master SA, Glenelg River, Nelson VIC, March 22-23, 2025

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to the Glenelg River for the Bream Master South Australia round, held on March 22–23, 2025. This round was a Hobie qualifying event and delivered an incredibly tight finish, with just 50 grams separating second through sixth place. Join Andrew as he interviews the top three anglers — Kobe Rothel, Dylan Pace, and Sean Pearson — for a deep dive into their winning strategies, techniques, and bait choices. Kobe Rothel shares how he cracked over 5kg using mussel-style presentations, while Dylan Pace reflects on a rollercoaster weekend full of long river runs, lost kilo fish, and a strong Day 2 comeback. Sean Pearson discusses transitioning from surface lures in pre-fish to a deeper bite during competition and explains how subtle rigging and lure changes helped secure his third-place finish. We also break down the bite periods, tides, and environmental changes that made this event unique — plus a quick mention of the Australian Open wrapping up and the launch of our latest Collective Challenge: Crabs and Mussels. Brands and lures mentioned in this episode include: Outback Breamer Baits – including the highly effective mussel presentations Gladiator Tackle Force Lures Fishin.com.au – source of the popular Baby Vibe Hurricane Lures Find them on Facebook – Blue Lip Baits 💬 Want to be part of the Collective Challenge and access exclusive member giveaways (like the Force Lures pack)? Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective: 👉 https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com Thanks for listening — don’t forget to rate, follow, and share if you’re enjoying the show!

Episode: 130 The Monthly Report, May 2025, with Brett Geddes

  🎣 May 2025 Monthly Report with Brett Geddes – Mussel Lures, Micro Vibes & Unique Techniques In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, Andrew Death is joined by regular guest Brett Geddes to discuss the latest in bream fishing across Australia. They touch on upcoming competitions around the country and delve into the effectiveness of various lures, including mussel and crab imitations, baby vibes, and micro blades. Highlights from the episode include: Outback Breamer Baits' Mussel Vibe: A standout performer this season, these lures have proven effective in various conditions. Explore their range here Gladiator Tackle: Known for their quality and innovation, their range of lures and accessories are tailored for Australian conditions. Check out their products Force Lures: Offering a variety of lures designed to appeal to a wide array of fish species, these are versatile tools for any angler. Discover more Fishin.com.au: Your one-stop online shop for a vast selection of fishing gear, from lures to rods, catering to all your angling needs. Browse their extensive catalog Hurricane Lures: Specializing in bream lures, their products are designed for Australian conditions. View their offerings Blue Lip Baits: Find them on Facebook – Blue Lip Baits. The episode also features shoutouts to impressive efforts by listeners: Mike from Tasmania and his creative blade technique, Nev's rapid rise on YouTube, and a look at how Collective members are embracing the current mussel lure challenge. Special thanks to Outback Breamer Baits, Blue Lip Baits, Gladiator Tackle, Force Lures, Fishin.com.au, and Hurricane Lures for backing this month’s challenge and supporting The Bream Fishing Project Collective. 🎧 Join the Collective and get access to bonus episodes, live streams, and all past content at: https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com  

Episode 129: Action Fishing Tournaments, Georges River, Feb 1 , 2025

This week on The Bream Fishing Project, we’re heading back to one of my favorite battlegrounds — the mighty Georges River — for Round 2 of the 2025 Action Fishing Tournaments! The Georges threw plenty of challenges our way, but it also delivered some absolute magic for the anglers who cracked the code. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the day's conditions, a few insights from my own session, and then we dive into interviews with the top three anglers who lit it up when it mattered most. Joshua Richards kicks things off with a gritty performance fishing out of a no-frills Hobie Outback — no sounder, no 180 drive, not even a paddle! He shares how simplicity and good decision-making carried him onto the podium. Next up, Jamie Dempsey talks us through his climb to second place, revealing how he tuned his crankbaits to perfection, pulled crucial upgrades from boat hulls, and leaned on a perfectly balanced finesse setup to make it all happen. And finally, Jason Reid caps off the episode with a wild story of landing a monster 45.5cm bream on 4lb leader after a heart-stopping battle around the pontoons — a fish that not only secured him first place but also Big Bream honors for the day. You’ll hear about tackle choices, lure selections, tuning tricks, and some crazy moments that made all the difference. If you’re chasing your next PB or just love hearing how tournaments are won, you’ll love this one! Plus, don’t miss the updates on the next Action Fishing Tournament rounds — including Redcliffe and Tuggerah Lakes — and a reminder that The Bream Fishing Project Collective is gearing up for our next live session on Wednesday, 30 April. Jump in now at breamfishingproject.supercast.com to be part of it! Massive thanks to Joshua, Jamie, and Jason for sharing their stories — and congrats again on some seriously impressive fishing. Let’s dive into it!  

Episode 128: Hobie Fishing Series, Round 2, March 1-2, 2025 Bemm River, VIC

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to the mighty Bemm River for Round 2 of the 2025 Hobie Kayak Fishing Series, held on March 1st and 2nd. The fishing was fierce, the bite periods were tight, and the final results came down to just grams between podium places. Join host Andrew Death as he recaps the weekend’s conditions, breaks down the tides and bite periods, and dives deep into full interviews with the top three finishers: 🥇 Joel Crosby – claiming his first win since 2015 with a razor-thin 60-gram margin 🥈 Joseph Gardner – the reigning Australian Champion, charging hard into second 🥉 Brad Clark – Big Brim winner and a standout performance at a tough venue Hear how each angler approached the system, their lure choices, how the bite changed across the weekend, and the critical adjustments that made the difference. 🎣 Want to improve your fishing? Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective for early access to episodes, bonus content, and exclusive live streams. Our next members-only session is on Wednesday, 1st May — make sure you sign up by Monday night, 29th April to be part of it: 👉 breamfishingproject.supercast.com 🧢 Tournament shirts are still available – $50 plus postage. Message Andrew to grab yours while stocks last! Thanks for listening, and see you on the water.

Episode 127: Hobie Fishing Series, Round 1, Gippsland Lakes, VIC February 26 - 27, 2025

🎣 Hurricane Round Recap – A New Champ Emerges at Gippsland Lakes! In this highly anticipated episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to Gippsland Lakes for the Hurricane round of the Hobie Kayak Fishing Series — and what a cracker of an event it turned out to be! With a last-minute venue change, near-perfect weather, and serious fish activity, it was a round full of surprises. A brand new winner emerged in just his second-ever kayak comp, taking top spot by a mere 20 grams — even after a 100g time penalty! Hear how Leon battled cramps, dehydration, and a late start to power through with a pair of cracking bags. We also catch up with Simon Morley and Tony Petty, aka Batman and Robin, who took out second and third place respectively. They share their tactics, locations, and the lures that helped them secure podium finishes. This episode is packed with insights, gear breakdowns, bite period observations, and on-water stories from some of Australia’s most dedicated kayak anglers. 🎧 Want more in-depth fishing talk, live streams, and bonus content? Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective here: https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com  

Episode 126: ABT, 2025 Daiwa BREAM Series, Atomic Round, Clarence River 29-30 March

  🎣 April 2025 ABT Clarence River Wrap-Up | Floods, Plastics & First-Time Winners! In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to the mighty Clarence River in northern NSW for the ABT Daiwa Bream Series round held on March 29–30, 2025. Despite flood conditions and plenty of rain, the fish were there—and so were the stories. Andrew breaks down the tides, bite periods, and weather before diving into interviews with some of the standout performers of the weekend: 🥇 John Parkinson – scoring his first-ever ABT win in the non-boater division. 🥈 Ethan Glover – still in school, but already showing up on the podium. 🥉 Joe Darmody – putting together a solid performance for third in the boaters. 🥈 Kris Hickson – fresh off the World Black Bass Championships in Italy, landing second place and dropping serious insights. Plus, hear the gear setups, lure choices, bite windows, and a fascinating theory about how bream use rock walls as landmarks in floodwater. 💡 Whether you're prepping for a comp or just love learning how the pros approach tough conditions, this one’s for you. 👉 Check out ABT Tournaments for event info and upcoming rounds. 👉 Want more? Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective for early access to episodes, bonus content, and live tactical sessions with top anglers. 🎧 Thanks for listening—don’t forget to subscribe and rate the show on your favourite podcast platform!