Maya Ellison
Bream fishing is a favourite among anglers on the coast, especially in Australia, due to their significant presence in almost every body of saltwater. They are also popular because they are fun to catch with light gear, they fight well, and they love lures. When it comes to catching bream with plastics, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, the choice of plastic lures is endless, so it's important to select the right size, colour, and type of plastic lure. Smaller lures tend to work better, and natural colours like bloodworm are popular. The way you retrieve the lure is also important, with the `double hop` technique being a popular and effective method. Finally, using a light leader and braided line can increase your chances of catching bream.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Line | Braided line in the 4-8 pound range |
| Leader | Light (4-pound fluorocarbon) |
| Jigheads | Light (less than 1/12th ounce) |
| Hook size | #4, #2, #1 or #1/0 |
| Plastic size | 2"-2.5" |
| Plastic type | Curl tail, paddle tail, crank lure |
| Plastic colour | Bloodworm, Motor Oil (UV), natural colours |
| Retrieval technique | Double hop, slow rolling, slow winding, constant steady retrieve, lifts and pauses |
| Location | Gold Coast, Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Use light gear and a light leader
Bream fishing is a favourite among anglers, especially on the coast, due to their significant presence in almost every body of saltwater. They are also readily available, fun on light gear, and they love lures.
When fishing for bream, it is recommended to use light gear and a light leader. Using a light leader will almost always get you more bites than a heavy leader. A 4-pound fluorocarbon leader is a good standard and will work in nearly all situations. Braided line is also recommended, with a 4 to 8-pound range being ideal. Braided line has very little stretch, allowing you to "see" and "feel" any bites. When it comes to jigheads, lighter is better. In most cases, a 1/20th to 1/16th ounce jighead is sufficient, and you can get away with no weight or very light "hidden weight" jigheads in shallower waters.
When selecting a rod and reel setup, a light rod and reel combo is essential for effectively throwing small plastics or lures on a light line. Rods such as the TT Black Mamba BMS701L or TT Red Belly RBS701L are ideal, as they are light and have enough backbone to wrestle fish out of structure if needed. These rods can be paired with light, small spin reels like the Okuma ITX 1000 or Okuma Ceymar HD 1000, creating a perfect finesse combination for various techniques used in bream fishing.
In addition to light gear and leader, it is worth noting that the size and type of plastic lures are also important considerations. Smaller profiles in the 2"-2.5" size range tend to be more effective for bream, including popular options such as ZMan GrubZ, Slim SwimZ, and PrawnZ. These smaller lures can be fished in various ways, such as slow rolling or hopping off the bottom with pauses.
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Choose the right jigheads and hooks
Jigheads and hooks are essential components of your setup when fishing for bream with plastics. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations for choosing the right ones:
Firstly, it's important to select the appropriate jighead weight. A good starting point is a jighead weight of 1/20, and you can then adjust up or down depending on the conditions and depth of the water. For instance, in waters less than 3 to 4 feet deep, no weight or very light "hidden weight" jigheads can be used. From 4 to 10 feet, a 1/20th to 1/16th ounce jighead is suitable, while for deeper waters, a 1/12th ounce jighead or less is recommended. Lighter jigheads are generally preferable as they allow the plastic lure to fall slowly, increasing the chances of attracting bream.
The hook size is another critical factor. For smaller profile plastics that mimic baitfish or minnows, typically in the 2" to 2.5" size range, a #4, #2, #1, or #1/0 hook is ideal. These hook sizes match the smaller prey that bream typically feed on. Ensure that the hook is sharp and of adequate quality to facilitate penetration when the bream strikes.
When rigging the plastic onto the jighead, it's crucial to keep it as straight as possible. A straight rig ensures that the plastic falls or sinks straight down, mimicking the natural fall of prey. Anglers may need to spend some time getting the rig just right to avoid the plastic spiralling down, which can be off-putting to the bream.
Additionally, consider adding a scent to the tail of the plastic lure. This creates a scent trail that bream are known to actively respond to. Scents can enhance the effectiveness of your lure presentation and increase your chances of catching bream.
Finally, when choosing your jigheads, look for quality options that offer fine wire, sharp hooks. For example, the TT Lures HeadlockZ Finesse jigheads feature Gamakatsu black nickel chemically sharpened hooks, making them a popular choice for bream anglers. The right jighead and hook combination will increase your chances of successfully hooking and landing bream when using plastic lures.
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Select the best plastic lures
When selecting the best plastic lures for bream, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, the choice of bream lures is extensive, and it can be overwhelming for beginners. Small curl tail soft plastics have been a popular choice for many years due to their affordability and versatility. They can be cast into open water or fished against structures. Using an ultra-light spin rod and reel setup allows for better control and staying in contact with the soft plastic.
Another factor to consider is the size of the plastic lures. Generally, smaller profiles ranging from 2" to 2.5" are recommended for bream. Within this size range, there are various options available, such as ZMan 2" GrubZ, 2.5" GrubZ, 2.5" Slim SwimZ, and 2.5" PrawnZ. These smaller lures effectively mimic different prey and are suitable for both beginners and experienced anglers.
The colour of the plastic lures is also important. Natural tones, such as Motor Oil (UV) and Bloodworm (non-UV) from the ZMan range, are popular choices and have proven successful in various conditions. Bright-coloured lures can also be effective, especially when paired with a leader, as they allow you to visually "see" a bite on the line.
Additionally, when selecting plastic lures for bream, consider the type of jighead required. Light jigheads are generally preferred, as they allow for a more natural fall of the lure. The weight of the jighead will depend on the depth and current conditions. For shallower waters, lighter weights or even no weight jigheads can be used, while for deeper waters, heavier jigheads may be necessary.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that there are different categories of bream plastics: single tails, double tails, prawn shapes, and "creature" baits. Single tails include options like Squidgy Wrigglers or Z-Man Grubz, while double tails can be in the form of Squidgy Lobbys or Keitech Little Spiders. Prawn shapes mimic prey like Gulp! Prawns or Ecogear Aqua Bream Prawns. "Creature" baits encompass a wide range of options, including worms and crabs, such as Gulp! Crabbys or Ecogear Aqua Isome Worms.
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Try different retrieval techniques
When it comes to retrieving your lure, there are several techniques to try out. The most popular retrieve is the "double hop", which involves letting the plastic sink to the bottom and then pulling it upwards in a two-hop motion with the rod, winding up the slack line before letting it sink again. The timing, size and intensity of the hops are key to this technique.
Another method is slow rolling, which is a constant, steady retrieve. Simply cast out, let the plastic sink to the desired depth, and then slowly wind it back in. This technique is ideal when fishing in open water.
You can also try a combination of the two methods by hopping the plastic off the bottom with some pauses. This works well when fishing against structures.
To create an enticing trail that bream will actively respond to, rub a small amount of scent onto the tail of the plastic.
Lastly, consider using vibes or blades. Cast them out and either do a constant steady retrieve or let them sink to the bottom and then lift and pause continuously. The vibrating action of the vibe is irresistible to bream, and blades have been a popular choice for catching this species.
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Fish in the right locations
Bream fishing is a favourite among anglers on the coast, especially in Australia, due to their significant presence in almost every body of saltwater. They are also readily available in the canal systems of the Gold Coast, which offers over 400km of canals for anglers to explore.
When it comes to fishing for bream with plastics, it's important to consider the structure and location. Bream love eating lures, so look for areas with plenty of cover, such as docks, bridges, and piers, as well as areas with aquatic vegetation or rocky structures. These spots provide bream with ambush points and protection from larger predators.
Additionally, pay attention to the depth and current of the water you're fishing in. This will impact the weight of your jigheads and the action of your plastics. In shallower waters, lighter jigheads are more effective, allowing your plastic to slowly waft down, which is more likely to attract bream.
Finally, don't forget to use scent. Bream have a strong sense of smell, so adding a bit of scent to the tail of your plastic can create a scent trail that will attract them. Natural scents that mimic their prey, such as baitfish or crustaceans, are often the most effective.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a light rod and reel combo, with a light leader in the 4-pound fluorocarbon range, and a braided line in the 4 to 8-pound range.
The most popular retrieve technique is the "double hop", which involves letting the plastic sink to the bottom, pulling it up in a two-hop motion, winding up the slack, and then letting it sink again.
Smaller plastics in the 2"-2.5" size range are generally recommended for bream. Natural colours are a good choice, with Bloodworm being a popular option.
Bream are found in almost every body of saltwater, so coastal areas such as Australia's Gold Coast are popular spots for anglers.
