The Bream Fishing Project

Episode 149: ABT, 2025 Daiwa BREAM Series, Crushcity Tweed River Round, 9-10 August

We’re back in the fast boats on the Tweed River, NSW, for the final ABT qualifier of 2025—two wind-and-rain-soaked days that still produced cracking fishing, a first-time boater champion, and both boater and non-boater Angler of the Year stories. Non-Boaters 1st – Lance Marsh (2.975 kg): Methodical and calm across bridges, walls and the famed Blue Hole; mixed Z-Man GrubZ (motor oil), Cranka Crab, and plastics to stack steady upgrades and claim his second tour win. 2nd – Grant Painter (2.89 kg): Day-one damage on Cranka Crab over Kennedy Drive reef, then switched gears on Day 2 with unweighted Aquas and Gulp Crabby on bridges and walls to hang on for the podium. 3rd – Nathan Booth (2.730 kg) —and 2025 Non-Boater AOY: Versatile across deep rock edges and mid-river rubble with Hurricane Sprat Hybrid 85s (bloodworm tail), grubs on 1/6–1/4 oz heads, and Cranka Crabs. Light leaders (3–4 lb) and smart current angles were key. Boaters 1st – Joe Darmody (5.540 kg total, incl. 3.035 kg Day 2 & big bream ~1.335kg): A clutch Day-2 mega bream off the exposed M1 reef line sealed it. Smart tide calls, precise crankbaiting (Jackall Chubby Brown Suji) along shallow rock and man-made walls, and opportunistic Aquas around structure turned four fish into a match-winning limit. 2nd – Mark Healey (4.935 kg) & back-to-back Boater AOY (497 pts): Classic Healey consistency—deep structure rotations, Cranka Crab on reefs/bridge pylons, and selective crankbait runs. Forward-facing sonar (Active Target 2) helped pick off better schools without over-fishing dead water. 3rd – Ben Cronk (4.680 kg): In his first ABT boater start, leaned on bigger profiles (MMD Soft Prawn 60/75 rigged on heavier jigheads) to glide down rock faces and draw quality bites; finished with tidy back-to-back limits. Patterns & Tackle at a Glance Locations: Kennedy Drive reef, M1 bridge, deep foreshore walls, Blue Hole. Tides: Early bites around the run-in; quality windows on the turn and first of the run-out. Lures: Cranka Crab (brown/olive tones), Jackall Chubby (Brown Suji), Hurricane Sprat Hybrid 85, MMD Soft Prawn, Z-Man GrubZ (motor oil), Gulp Crabby, Aquas. Rigs: 1/6–1/4 oz jigheads to beat heavy flow; 3–6 lb leaders; keep hooks razor-sharp—treble swaps mattered on the tougher Day 2. Plus: playlists are now live—jump into our Tweed bundle on Spotify to binge every Tweed-system episode ahead of the Grand Final prep. Enjoy the interviews, the tactics, and the tales—from first-cast hookups to that once-in-a-season lunchtime kilo-plus bream that changed everything.  

Episode 148: The Monthly Report, August, 2025 with Brett Geddes

August 2025 Monthly Report – The Bream Fishing Project Podcast In this August Monthly Report, Andrew takes you through a big month in the bream fishing scene, bringing together tournament results, Collective news, and his own on-water experiences. It’s a packed episode that reflects on where things stand as we head into the final stretch of the year. You’ll hear about standout results from recent events, including who placed where and the conditions anglers faced on the day. Andrew gives updates from The Bream Fishing Project Collective, including the current lure challenges, member contributions, and upcoming live sessions. He also shares what’s been working for him personally, and some of the lessons learned from time on the water this month. The conversation covers the latest with popular lures like the Squidgy Bug and Crush City Trickster, as well as the role they’ve played in recent sessions. You’ll get a clear snapshot of how anglers are approaching different conditions and how community feedback is shaping the Collective’s challenges going forward. If you’ve been following the comps, want to keep up with the latest trends, or just enjoy the monthly wrap of news and stories from Australia’s bream fishing community, this episode is for you. 🎣 Lures mentioned in this episode: Squidgy Bug, Crush City Trickster.  

Episode 147: NSW Tournament, Series, St Georges Basin, 12-13 April, 2025

🎣 NSW Bream Tournament Recap – St Georges Basin | The Bream Fishing Project Podcast In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, host Andrew Death covers Round 3 of the NSW Tournament Series, held on the legendary St Georges Basin, launching out of Sussex Inlet. Across two days of competitive bream fishing, anglers battled calm conditions, an explosion of jellyfish, and the pressure of a stacked leaderboard. Despite the challenges, the top teams delivered impressive bags, showing exactly how to catch big bream in tough conditions. 🎣 Featured Interviews and Key Insights: Team Shiano Nevermind (3rd Place) – Wal discusses adapting to jellyfish-filled waters, how they found a late-day bite window, and their go-to lures and techniques, including the Ecogear ZX30 and vibes. Team Rise Above Plumbing (2nd Place) – Long-time tournament anglers Mark and Glen break down their mixed lure approach using Daiwa Reflex, Gulp Shrimp, and Juro-style lures, plus the impact of moon phases and water clarity. Team Hooked Up DTH Plumbing (1st Place) – Daniel and Steven explain how they secured the win without pre-fishing, using Hurricane SPRs, shallow crankbaits, and LiveScope sonar to target fish around cockle weed and edges. 🎯 What you’ll learn: How to target bream using soft plastics, vibes, crankbaits, and hidden weight rigs Tactics for fishing St Georges Basin in tough conditions Gear setup for tournament bream fishing: rods, reels, lines, and leaders Tips for deepwater bream fishing, using sonar and sounders effectively 🧰 Lures & Gear Mentioned: Daiwa Reflex Hurricane SPR Gulp 2.75” Shrimp Ecogear ZX30 Pro Lure Cranks PowerPro Braid and Sunline Leaders 🙌 Shoutouts to: Daiwa Australia – for the Reflex lure that turned the tide Fishin.com.au – for gear and community support Zeus Tackle – supporting Team Hooked Up Rise Above Plumbing – tournament sponsor and second-place team Casting for a Cause – charity bream competitions supporting children’s hospitals  

Episode 146:West Australian Tournament Anglers, Kayak Round 1, Blackwood River, April 12-13, 2025

In this episode, we’re recapping Round One of the 2025 Western Australian Tournament Anglers Kayak Bream Series, held on April 12–13 on the iconic Blackwood River. The event saw top anglers adapt quickly after a late venue change and battle it out under excellent bite conditions, with the river fishing brilliantly across both days. 🥇 Joseph Gardner takes us through his winning tactics and how he bagged 3.91 kg over two days using a combination of Blue Lip Baits’ Pygmy Mussels and Brim Prawns. He explains how key locations and wind direction played a major role, along with his rigging choices on six and eight-pound leaders. 🥈 Ben Oakes gives an in-depth look at how his upgraded triple-sounder setup and dedicated side scan mapping helped him pinpoint productive drop-offs and structure. He shares his successful lure rotation of Slim Swims, Dunks, Aqua Mussels, and Baby Vibes, and talks us through the heartbreaking big fish that got away. 🥉 Paul Burton rounds out the podium with smart use of tried-and-true Slim Swims on his favourite banks. He talks about adjusting his jighead weight to maintain feel, and the importance of early bags and key upgrades that ultimately landed him a spot on the podium. We also touch on: Tide and bite periods from the Fish Activity Wheel (93/96 rating days!) What worked and what didn’t in a system filled with bream The Collective’s free rig and drop shot challenge update How bream behaviour changed across the river with current, wind, and pressure And why balance beams and barnacles made all the difference 🏆 Prize sponsors included: Shimano Australia Pro Lure Australia (featuring the new Hybrid Shrimp) Atomic Lures, Rapala, TT Lures, and Force Lures Special mention to Michelle from Getaway Outdoors Kelmscott and Kanga Brew Coffee Van for supporting the event 🎧 Subscribe now and don’t miss a beat: 👉 breamfishingproject.supercast.com — early access, bonus episodes, and monthly live streams via The Bream Fishing Project Collective. 🎁 Ask about our new Junior Memberships or Father’s Day gift subscriptions — just message Andrew directly! — 📸 Big thanks to Dave Bennett for event photography and WA Tournament Anglers for running a great comp despite location hurdles. 📍Whether you're a comp angler or weekend warrior, this episode is packed with gold — from lure technique breakdowns to reading water and structure. The Bream Fishing Project: Australia’s #1 podcast dedicated to helping you catch more bream on lures, with tips, tricks, and tournament insight from some of the best in the game.  

Episode 145: Hobie Fishing Series, Round 3, Forster, NSW April 12 - 13, 2025

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we’re back at Foster for Round 3 of the Hobie Fishing Series, held on 12–13 April, proudly supported by sponsor Pro Lure. Host Andrew Death not only fished this round but brings you firsthand insights and interviews with the top anglers from the weekend. First up, Ryan Honeybrook, who secured his first Hobie podium with a third-place finish, shares a detailed account of his strategy fishing the Forster racks and the breakwall, how he adapted across both days, the key baits he used—including Aquas and Crabby—and how guidance from his mate at Stoke Lures influenced his approach. Next, we hear from current Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion Jack Gammie, who claimed second place with an impressively consistent performance. Jack breaks down his tactics targeting shallow rock bars and racks, his lure selection featuring Pro Lure shallow cranks and Aquas, and adjustments he made to leader and presentation to suit conditions. Finally, Luke Rogan—who backed up his 2024 win with another first-place finish in 2025—details his fearless style of skull-dragging big fish from gnarly racks using heavy tackle, bent minnows and crank crabs, and how he managed fish and spots across both days. Luke reflects on how minor changes in conditions between Day 1 and Day 2 influenced his result and shares what this repeat win at Foster means to him. This episode provides a wealth of insights for anglers chasing bream in racks, rock bars, and oyster leases and delivers great stories from some of Australia’s top tournament competitors. 👉 If you’d like even more fishing content, early access to episodes, and exclusive monthly live streams, join The Bream Fishing Project Collective at breamfishingproject.supercast.com.  

Episode 144: West Australian Tournament Anglers, Boat Round 1, Nornalup Inlet, 22-23 March 2025

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we recap Round 1 of the 2025 WA Bream Series, held at stunning Walpole in the Nornalup Inlet. It was a tough two-day boat round under challenging conditions, featuring a four-fish bag limit and a two-week prefish ban that tested the skills of all competitors. We catch up with two top teams from the event: Callum Dowell and Oliver Frank from Team Don’t Blush Bream, who finished third. Callum, founder of Outback Bruma Baits, shares fascinating insights into his lure designs, customizing colors to match local shellfish, and the importance of replicating natural profiles. He and Oliver detail their tournament strategy, including an impressive Day 2 turnaround driven by adapting techniques—from bent minnows to Hurricane Sprats on resin heads, including a subtle but critical adjustment with suspend dots that helped them secure upgrades. Oliver, in just his first tournament, even talks about landing a 50 cm bream and fishing the event with his uncle, Callum. Joseph Gardner and Jenny Gardner from Team B1 & B2, who finished second. Joseph explains why they targeted the scenic Deep River instead of the more familiar Franklin River. They share a breakdown of their successful day-one approach that put them in the lead, including fishing bent minnows deep among snags, precise casting to structure, and carefully rigged Brim Prawns and Pygmy Mussels. Joseph discusses their second-day challenges as conditions and pressure changed, the need to adapt techniques, and Jenny’s crucial contributions to filling the bag when the bite got tough. We also recap the winning performance by Daniel and Mitch Perella, who mounted an extraordinary comeback on Day 2 with a massive four-fish bag for 3.28 kg, including an 870-gram kicker fish—taking the win by over 1.2 kg. Bite Periods and Tides Recap: Saturday: Major bite period at 4:43–7:13 AM, low tide at 7:16 AM (0.17 m), high tide at 8:48 AM (0.35 m). Sunday: Major bite period at 5:36–8:06 AM, low tide at 7:24 AM (0.17 m), high tide at 9:51 AM (0.36 m). Throughout the interviews we explore gear choices, rigging techniques, key adjustments made under pressure, and tournament highlights that illustrate the creativity and skill required to succeed in this tricky fishery. 🎣 Sponsors & Acknowledgments: Thanks as always to our sponsors who make The Bream Fishing Project possible: HWS Hobie Kayaks & Accessories Fishing.com.au Podium Marine Wraps Big thanks to the WA Bream Series organizers and supporting sponsors, including Getaway Outdoors, ZipBaits, and local tackle shops, for their work supporting bream fishing in Western Australia. 👉 Subscribe for more: If you enjoyed this episode and want to improve your bream fishing, subscribe to The Bream Fishing Project wherever you listen to podcasts — and consider joining The Bream Fishing Project Collective for exclusive content, monthly live streams, and deeper dives into the techniques and tactics that help you catch more fish.  

Episode 143: Action Fishing Tournaments, Pittwater, March 23rd, 2025

  In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we recap all the action from the Action Fishing Tournament’s Pittwater Round, held on March 23, 2025—a challenging day that tested even the most seasoned anglers. We hear from the top three placegetters, each with their own fascinating stories: 3rd place: Nelson Guerrera, in his very first tournament, shares how he overcame nerves and no pre-fish to secure a podium with boats, pontoons and carefully placed crab casts. 2nd place: Jason Reid reveals his approach to reading structure and fighting hard-won fish in tough conditions, building on his win in the previous round. 1st place: Jamie Dempsey claims back-to-back victories with a measured approach, key lure changes, and an eye for detail that made all the difference. But stay tuned—Andrew also shares his own incredible story from the day… let’s just say that after struggling all day to find fish, the final moments of the comp delivered an unexpected twist. For anglers looking to improve their results and fast-track their learning, join The Bream Fishing Project Collective for exclusive live streams, content and community discussions: breamfishingproject.supercast.com This episode is packed with insights for anyone who loves kayak bream fishing, from beginners through to competitors looking to hone their edge.  

Episode 142: ABT, 2025 Samaki BREAM Queensland Open, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, June 28-29

  🏆 Samaki BREAM Queensland Open 2025 – A Battle on the Gold Coast & Moreton Bay | Full Recap + Angler Interviews Welcome back to The Bream Fishing Project! In this episode, we dive deep into the 2025 Samaki BREAM Queensland Open, run by ABT and contested across two iconic Queensland fisheries: the Gold Coast canals (June 28) and Moreton Bay (June 29). This is the third year we’ve covered this prestigious event on the podcast, and we’re starting to see patterns, standout performers, and unforgettable moments emerge across the timeline. With the event held under ABT’s fully app-based format, the focus was on results, tactics, and making the most of limited time on the water—and the anglers delivered. From motor breakdowns and monster fish to strategy shifts and tight leaderboard battles, this one has everything. 🎣 1st Place – Luke Rogan Luke secured his first Queensland Open title with a monster 4.676kg bag from the Gold Coast on Day 1, anchored by a 40.5cm fork-length beast. He talks through his gear choices, including a heavy rotation of edge rods, zip baits, and crushed crab lures. Day 2 proved challenging in the bay, but a smart decision to finish in the canals helped lock in the win. Listen in for a raw, honest account of landing (and losing) trophy fish—and how 10 years of effort finally paid off. 🎣 2nd Place – Bernard Kong Bernard’s story is one of pure grit and adaptability. After suffering a motor failure on Day 1, he fished the entire session on electric power alone and still came in 5th overnight. With support from mates in the community, he borrowed a boat for Day 2 and made the most of his time on the water, targeting the front ends of canals and fishing slowly with zip baits and crabby presentations. He credits the slower pace—and a couple of clutch fish in the final minutes—for one of his best results to date. 🎣 3rd Place – Mick Slade Mick delivered a consistent two-day performance, weighing 3.317kg on Saturday and 2.8kg on Sunday for a total of 6.117kg. In this chat, Mick runs through a diverse bag of techniques, including crankbaiting pontoons, fishing Pro Lure prawns and crabs, and using topwater in the canals. It’s a classic tale of persistence, a bit of tech trouble with the app, and a well-earned podium finish. 🕘 We also cover bite periods, tide charts, and moon phases, and look back at past Queensland Opens from 2023 and 2024 to compare bag sizes and event conditions. Whether you’re chasing trends or just want to hear great stories from elite tournament anglers, this episode delivers. 🎧 Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective Want early access to episodes like this, bonus content, and exclusive live streams breaking down lures, techniques, and results in detail? Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective. It’s your chance to learn faster, fish smarter, and be part of a growing Australian bream fishing community. Subscriptions start for less than the price of a single lure per month. 🧠 Recent topics in the Collective include: Using 2 & 3 lb straight-through fluorocarbon Mastering chubby-style lures and crankbait techniques Crabs, mussels, and hybrid baits 🎣 Proudly supported by: HWS Hobie Fishing – For all your kayak fishing needs fishin.com.au – Australia's online fishing tackle destination Podium Marine Wraps – Premium boat wraps and custom marine branding Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed the episode, leave a rating or review and share it with your fishing mates. See you next Tuesday on The Bream Fishing Project.  

Episode 141: The Monthly Report, July 2025, with Brett Geddes

  🎣 July Monthly Report – Swains Reef Adventures, Tournament Rundown & the Free Rig Challenge In this packed episode of The Bream Fishing Project, Andrew Death is joined once again by Brett Geddes for the July Monthly Report — and there's plenty to cover! From offshore adventures to grassroots tackle experimentation, this episode dives deep into what's been happening across the bream fishing scene. Topics covered include: • A full tournament calendar rundown for July across NSW, QLD, WA, and the ABT • Brett’s first-hand insight into Gippsland’s booming perch and bream numbers thanks to stocking efforts • Andrew’s Swains Reef trip recap with ET — including big sharks, coral trout, GTs, and one unforgettable enhanced sausage sandwich • The launch of the Collective’s new challenge: drop shot and free rig fishing, plus Brett’s honest first impressions • Massive session recaps with hundreds of perch and bream landed in recent trips • A heartfelt tribute to Victorian angler Dougie Fair • Giveaway results for new Collective subscribers featuring a prize pack from Force Lures • This month’s featured record: Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young 🎧 Subscribe to The Bream Fishing Project Collective to unlock bonus episodes, live streams, early access to interviews, and exclusive giveaways: 👉 https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com Thanks to our sponsors: Hobie Fishing, fishin.com.au, Podium Marine Wraps, and Force Lures.  

Episode 140: ABT, 2025 Daiwa BREAM Series, Forster 2, June 7-8

🎧 ABT Foster Round 2 Recap – Crabs, Grubs & Gutsy Calls: AOY Battle Heats Up | The Bream Fishing Project Back-to-back Foster comps! In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we return to the stage of last week’s action for Round 2 of the 2025 Daiwa BREAM Series. The fish had seen it all. Pressure was up, the weather was finally calm, and the Angler of the Year race was down to two names: Mark Crompton and Mark Healey. Six top anglers break down their tournament—how they adapted, adjusted, and pushed through fatigue and traffic on the water to land the right fish at the right time. From prawn bites and dirty water grinds to dramatic last-minute upgrades and technical rack extractions, this episode is full of insights from both new faces and seasoned veterans. 🎙 Interviews in this episode: 🟡 Drew Reid (3rd, Non-Boater) – In just his first ABT events, Drew takes us through six days on Foster including adapting to four completely different boaters. He reflects on how each taught him something new—from grub fishing with Scott Wilson to prawn presentations with John Glover. His comp ended with a calm, clutch finish using Daiwa prawns and a rolling crank in tight water. 🟡 Lance Marsh (2nd, Non-Boater) – Lance shares his evolution from a double donut in his first ABT four years ago to now bagging out early and calmly upgrading his way to second place. His consistent approach—casting Z-Man prawns at every pole he could see—paid off, as did smart decisions to fish hard while the tide was still high. 🟡 Mark Street (1st, Non-Boater) – An emotional win. Mark reflects on slow starts, exacting lure changes, and a deep-diving chubby upgrade right before weigh-in that helped him edge the win by just 20 grams. His honest recap includes the challenges of casting accuracy, changing hook weights, and the power of staying composed under pressure. 🟡 Paul Langley (3rd, Boater) – Paul returns for his second third-place finish in a week on the same waterway. He opens up on how he used clean water, wall structure, and subtle adjustments in presentation to deliver results. His use of active target and careful spot management helped both himself and his non-boaters finish high. 🟡 Chris Smith (2nd, Boater) – Chris reveals how a new rock wall he’d never fished before produced fish every day of both Foster rounds. He details how fish were striking crankbaits at the rod tip and explains how simplicity and confidence helped him commit to the same lures all week—earning a strong runner-up finish. 🟡 Mark Crompton (1st, Boater) – The win that sets up the AOY decider. Mark talks about risky choices that paid off, pushing into racks others wouldn’t touch, and the importance of speed rigging and line angles. The Daiwa Bait Junkie Grub once again played a starring role, and Mark shares why it remains one of the most underrated—but deadly—lures in comp fishing. 🌊 Tides & Bite Periods: Saturday: 55 activity rating. Major bite: 7:10–9:40 AM. High tide 5:34 AM (1.24 m), Low at 11:41 AM (0.41 m) Sunday: 65 activity rating. Major bite: 7:52–10:22 AM. High tide 6:19 AM (1.22 m), Low at 12:16 PM (0.40 m) (Note: Tides inside Foster lagged up to 2 hours.) 🎣 If you're enjoying the podcast... Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective, a subscriber-only community for anglers who want more from their time on the water. Members get early access to episodes, live group Q&As, exclusive content, and a chance to be part of monthly lure challenges. 👉 breamfishingproject.supercast.com 💥 Thanks to our sponsors: Hobie Fishing, fishin.com.au, Podium Marine Wraps, and lure brands featured in this episode including Daiwa, Z-Man, Cranka, Karisma, and Bait Junkie. 🎥 Mentioned: Drew Reid’s YouTube channel – Moment of Stoke. Just search “Moment of Stoke Bream” on YouTube. 🎧 Hosted by 2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion, Andrew Death.