Maya Ellison
Soft plastic lures are a popular choice for anglers fishing for bream. When rigging soft plastics for bream, it is important to consider the type of water system and the specific conditions, such as water depth and current strength. A light rod and reel combo is generally recommended for targeting estuary fish like bream, along with light jig heads in the range of 1/12 to 1/40 ounces. Braided line in the 4 to 8-pound range is suggested, with a preference for bright colours to easily detect bites. Additionally, a light leader, such as a 4-pound fluorocarbon leader, is recommended to increase the chances of getting more bites. When rigging the plastic, ensure it is straight to prevent spiralling during the cast. Soft plastics offer versatility, allowing anglers to imitate various baits and providing options for scent enhancement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Braided line | 4 to 8-pound range |
| Leader | 4-pound fluorocarbon |
| Jigheads | Light, less than 3 or 4 feet |
| Hook size | 2, 1 or 1/0 |
| Rigging | Straight |
| Soft plastic types | Single tails, double tails, prawn shapes, creature baits |
| Soft plastic examples | Squidgy Wrigglers, Z-Man Grubz, Gulp! Prawns, Ecogear Aqua Bream Prawns, Atomic Prongs, Gulp! Crabbys |
| Rod and reel | Light and finesse setup |
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What You'll Learn
Use a light rod and reel combo
When fishing for bream, it's important to select the right rod and reel combo. If you're planning to target estuary fish such as bream, you'll need a light rod and reel combo. This is because bream are a light species, so a light setup will allow you to cast very lightly weighted soft plastics properly. It will also be light enough for you to cast all day and feel all the subtle bites and nibbles.
The rod and reel setup you choose will depend on the water system and the species of fish you're targeting. Most rod and reel combos are designed with specific species and conditions in mind, so it's important to consider the depth and current of the water, as well as any structures that may be present. For example, if you're fishing in an area with a lot of trees or mangroves, you may want to consider a weedless soft plastic setup, which can save you time and hassle when retrieving your lure.
Weedless soft plastics are also a good choice for fishing in areas with oyster racks, mangrove-lined edges, and man-made structures such as jetties and bridge pylons. Smaller plastics, from 1 to 3 inches, can be just as effective as larger ones, and you'll have a variety of baitfish, crab, and prawn patterns to choose from. You can fish these plastics weight-free or with a tiny split shot sinker to suit the conditions.
When using soft plastics, it's important to use a light leader, as this will get you more bites than a heavy leader. A 4-pound fluorocarbon leader is a good standard choice and will work in almost all situations. Braided line in the 4 to 8-pound range is also recommended, especially in bright colours so you can see the line move when a fish bites.
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Choose the right jigheads
Choosing the right jighead is an important consideration when fishing for bream with soft plastics. The weight of the jighead will depend on the depth and location of the bottom structure. For instance, shallow clear flats might suit a slow roll, burn and kill, or the lift and drop, so a lighter jighead can be used. Conversely, deep reefs will require a more vertical jigging style of fishing with a heavier jighead. The rate at which your plastic sinks in the water is dependent on how much it weighs, so a heavier jighead will cause your plastic to sink faster.
When fishing for bream in water deeper than 4 feet, it is recommended to use a jighead weighing no more than 1/12th of an ounce. Bream typically strike a plastic as it is falling or off the bottom, so a lighter jighead will allow the plastic to slowly waft downwards, increasing your chances of catching a fish. In general, it is recommended to use the lightest jigheads possible when fishing for bream, as this will allow your plastic to sink slowly and naturally.
The design of the jighead is also important. A ball-head jig is a popular choice as it creates an erratic fall that mimics a wounded baitfish, requiring little rod work to create a tempting display. If you are fishing in areas with brush piles or grass, you may want to consider using a weedless jighead with a brush guard to prevent your line from getting snagged.
Additionally, the type of hook you use with your jighead can vary depending on your target fish and fishing location. For example, if you are fishing in 40 meters of water for southern NSW offshore blue spot flathead, a thin gauge needlepoint hook might be more effective for getting down to the desired depth. On the other hand, a slowly sinking finesse-type application may be better suited for fishing in shallower waters. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing a jighead, and you may need to experiment with different weights and designs to find the most effective combination for your specific fishing situation.
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Rig your plastic straight
Rigging your plastic straight is important when fishing for bream. This is because bream will nearly always hit a plastic as it is falling or off the bottom, and if your plastic spirals down too quickly, it will fly past the fish.
To rig your plastic straight, you will need to use a light jighead. For bream, a jighead weighing 1/12oz-1/8oz is recommended. If you are fishing in deeper areas, you can use a 1/4oz jighead. If you are fishing in water less than 3 or 4 feet deep, you can get away with no weight or a very light "hidden weight" jig head. From about 4 to 10 feet, a 1/20th to 1/16th ounce will be sufficient. For water deeper than that, a 1/12th ounce head is recommended.
When rigging your plastic, take your time to get it straight on the hook. It is worth spending a good 10 minutes getting a single-tail plastic perfect on the hook. This will ensure that your plastic falls straight and slowly, giving the bream time to hit it.
In addition to using light jigheads, it is recommended to use a light rod and reel combo when fishing for bream. A light setup will allow you to cast lightly weighted soft plastics properly and feel all the subtle bites and nibbles. It is also important to use a light leader, as this will get you more bites than a heavy leader. A 4-pound fluorocarbon leader is a good standard choice.
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Use a braided line
Braided fishing line, or "braid", is a near-necessity when fishing with soft plastics. Braided line has very little stretch, so you'll be able to feel even the smallest tap on the line. It's also useful to use a brightly coloured line so that you can see any movement.
When fishing for bream, it's recommended that you use a light rod and reel combo. This is because bream are a light estuary species, so you'll need a finesse setup that can cast very light lures. A light rod and reel will also allow you to cast all day and feel all the subtle bites and nibbles.
When choosing a braided line, opt for a braid in the 4 to 8-pound range. You can also use a spinning setup with a line weight of 3 to 8 pounds. This will allow you to cast lightly weighted soft plastics properly.
In addition to your braided line, you'll need a leader. A light leader will always get you more bites than a heavy one. A 4-pound fluorocarbon leader is pretty much standard and will work in almost all situations.
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Use a light leader
When fishing for bream, using a light leader is essential. A 4-pound fluorocarbon leader is the standard and will work in almost all situations. Using a light leader will result in more bites than a heavy leader. Braided line in the 4 to 8-pound range is recommended, and a bright-coloured line is preferable as you will be tying a leader to it. The bright colour allows you to "see" a bite on the line, which is important in addition to "feeling" the bite.
When fishing for bream, a light rod and reel combo is necessary. This allows for a light presentation of soft plastics and is sensitive enough to detect subtle bites and nibbles. The rod and reel should be chosen with the target species and water depth in mind. When fishing in shallow waters, such as estuaries, a light setup is crucial for effectively casting and presenting soft plastics.
The jighead weight should also be considered when using a light leader. For bream, a lighter jighead in the range of 1/12 to 1/20 ounces is recommended. This allows the soft plastic to sink slowly, enhancing its action and attracting bream. When fishing in deeper waters, a slightly heavier jighead can be used, such as a 1/4 to 1/8 ounce option.
Additionally, it is important to note that weedless and HWS (Hidden Weight System) jig heads are ideal for fishing in areas with weeds and debris. These jig heads allow you to hide the weight within the soft plastic, improving presentation and reducing snags. When using a light leader, it is crucial to match the jig head weight and presentation style to the conditions you are fishing in.
In summary, using a light leader when fishing for bream with soft plastics is crucial. It increases the number of bites and allows for a more subtle presentation. By choosing the appropriate jig head weight and style, such as weedless or HWS, you can effectively present your soft plastics and improve your chances of catching bream.
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Frequently asked questions
Light jigheads are best for rigging soft plastics for bream. The jighead size will depend on the depth of the water and the strength of the current. For water less than 3 or 4 feet deep, no weight or very light "hidden weight" jigheads are best. For water between 4 and 10 feet deep, a 1/20th to 1/16th ounce jighead is ideal. For deeper water, a 1/12th ounce jighead is sufficient.
Soft plastics that mimic baitfish and crustaceans are ideal for bream. Some examples include the Bottom Bug, Sea Bug, Squideez, Bullet Prawn, and Sandworm. The Squideez lure, in particular, mimics a live squid with its tentacle movement, making it irresistible to saltwater fish like bream.
It's important to rig the soft plastic as straight as possible to ensure it falls straight. Braided line is recommended, preferably in a bright colour so that you can see a bite on the line. A light leader will also get you more bites than a heavy leader. Additionally, smaller plastics (1-3 inches) rigged weedless can be very effective for bream.
