The Bream Fishing Project

Watch the full video version here: 👉 https://youtu.be/c8DnXHOeXnE This is the April Report EP190 of The Bream Fishing Project. In this episode, Andrew is joined by Brett Geddes and Plinio Taurian to break down what’s happening across the country, with a deep dive into the upcoming Tasmanian events. The conversation covers key systems including the Huon River, Derwent River, Swan River and Little Swan Port, along with insights into lure choice, fish behaviour and tournament strategy.

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, Andrew breaks down the Atomic Tournament Series Round 1, held at Lake Macquarie on March 14–15. This was a standout event where numbers of BREAM were high, but consistently upgrading to better-quality fish proved to be the key to success. Across the two days, over 300 fish were weighed, with a noticeable drop in average size on day two, making decision-making and execution critical. The episode begins with a full breakdown of bite periods, tides, and tournament stats before diving into interviews with the top three teams. 🥇 1st Place – James Dunn & Mark Huisken (9.22kg + Big Bream 1.38kg) A dominant performance built around one key lure — the Samaki Reddick (40LC). Fishing shallow flats and edges in 1–3 metres, they focused on slow rolling their lures, keeping them close to the bottom and pausing when needed to trigger bites. Early in the session they identified a freshwater/saltwater line, which held fish and allowed them to quickly build a strong bag. Technique: Slow roll with pauses Depth: 1–3 metres Lure: Samaki Reddick (medium & deep) Key factor: Matching bait profile and staying in productive water They filled a bag quickly both days (including a 20-minute bag on day two) and spent the rest of the time upgrading, finishing with over 9kg and taking out Big Bream as well. 🥈 2nd Place – Mitch & Matt Simonis (7.52kg) A highly consistent approach built around 30mm vibes (matte black, no eyes). Fishing around 2–2.5 metres off weed edges, they worked vibes along the bottom with a hopping retrieve, with most bites coming on the drop. They secured a bag early and upgraded steadily throughout the day. Later in the session, they switched to topwater (Force Lures Ziggy), raising fish off structure and landing key upgrades. Technique: Bottom hopping vibes + topwater later Depth: ~2–2.5 metres Lures: 30mm vibes (matte black), Force Lures Ziggy Key factor: Locking in numbers early, then upgrading 🥉 3rd Place – Aaron Clifton & Simon Moore (6.91kg) A methodical approach starting on the flats before moving deeper to upgrade. They mixed hard bodies (chubby-style cranks) and plastics, working from shallow water out to 10–15 feet, upgrading fish gradually throughout the day. Technique: Rotating depths and lure types Depth: Flats out to 10–15 feet Lures: Hard bodies (chubby style), plastics Key factor: Patience and systematic upgrading A small but critical adjustment — switching from 6lb to 4lb leader — made a noticeable difference in bites. 🎯 Key Takeaways from Lake Macquarie Early bagging was critical Upgrading separated the field Hard bodies, vibes, and subtle presentations dominated Topwater played a role later in the session Small adjustments (leader size, retrieve, depth) made a big difference Fish were holding in specific zones, not everywhere This is a must-listen episode for anyone looking to improve their tournament BREAM fishing or understand how to break down a system like Lake Macquarie under pressure.

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, Andrew is joined by Vic Bream Classics founder Bill Hartshorne to break down the full 2026 season, including all five rounds and the Grand Final. With over 20 years of history behind the Vic Bream Classics, Bill shares insights into how the series has evolved, the incredible statistics behind the events, and what anglers can expect from this year’s calendar. The conversation dives into each round in detail, including Gippsland Lakes, Marlo, Mallacoota, the Hopkins River, and Nelson. Bill explains how each location fishes differently, seasonal changes, and what anglers need to consider when preparing for each event. There’s also a strong focus on what makes Vic Bream Classics unique, from the team format and grassroots feel to the supportive community that helps new anglers improve quickly. Bill shares stories of how beginners progress through the ranks and how experienced anglers contribute to the growth of the sport. The episode also highlights: The structure of the 2026 Vic Bream Classics season Key locations and expected fishing conditions How the team format benefits anglers Sponsor contributions and prize structures Junior and female angler initiatives The importance of community and knowledge sharing in tournament fishing Bill also discusses the future of the series, including opportunities for growth, sponsorship, and ideas for expanding events. This is a must-listen episode for anyone interested in tournament BREAM fishing, whether you’re looking to compete, improve your skills, or better understand how these events operate.

🎣 Sydney Harbour Showdown! | NSW Tournament Series Round 6 Recap In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to iconic Sydney Harbour to break down Round 6 of the 2025 New South Wales Tournament Series, held on September 14. This was a fascinating event with tough conditions, changing water clarity, and a strong mix of experienced anglers returning to the scene. From early bag limits to last-minute upgrades, this round had it all. We’re joined by the top three teams as they walk us through exactly how they approached the day, what worked, what didn’t, and the key decisions that shaped their results. 🏆 Top 3 Results & Interviews 🥉 3rd Place – Jason Graham & Craig Norbergen (Team fishing.com.au) A strong start west of the bridge saw them quickly secure a bag on soft plastics before upgrading with a crucial kicker fish on a crab in the Lane Cove River. They dive into how scent played a key role and how they balanced plastics vs crabs throughout the day. 🥈 2nd Place – Joshua Richards (Team Fanatics) Fishing shallow rock structure, Josh and his teammate put together an incredibly consistent day, catching fish right from the start and rotating productive zones. With over 30 fish landed, they explain how persistence and simple patterns paid off, plus insights into lure selection, leader choice, and fishing efficiency. 🥇 1st Place – Adam Hughes & Matthew Green (Team Edgy Bites) A late decision to fish the event turned into a winning performance. Targeting shallow flats in Hen and Chicken Bay, they secured an early kicker fish and built their bag quickly. Their strategy of sticking to strengths, fishing confidently, and making the most of subtle conditions proved the difference. 🎯 Key Takeaways from This Episode • The importance of getting a quick early bag to unlock upgrade opportunities • How scent can influence bite conversion in pressured systems • Adjusting leader strength based on water clarity and structure • When to commit to plastics vs crabs in Sydney Harbour • Why confidence and fishing your strengths can win tournaments 🌊 Conditions Overview • Location: Sydney Harbour • Date: 14 September 2025 • Low Tide: 6:45 AM (0.49m) • High Tide: 1:27 PM (1.53m) • Bite Window: Minor period from 11:19 AM – 12:49 PM 👏 Special Mentions A big thank you to the New South Wales Tournament Series team for running a fantastic event, and to all competitors who continue to support and grow the sport. 🎧 Listen Now If you’re looking to improve your tournament performance or better understand how top anglers approach Sydney Harbour, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply on your next session. 👍 Enjoyed the episode? Make sure to subscribe, leave a rating, and share it with a mate who loves chasing BREAM on lures. #BreamFishing #SydneyHarbourFishing #TournamentFishing #FishingPodcast #NSWTournamentSeries #BreamOnLures #AustralianFishing

🎣 Hobie Fishing Series Australia – Marlo Round 2 (2026) | Full Breakdown + Angler Interviews In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project Podcast, we head to Marlo, Victoria for Round 2 of the Hobie Fishing Series Australia, held on February 21–22, 2026. Andrew was on the ground for this one, soaking up the atmosphere, catching up with mates, and diving deep into what turned out to be a fascinating and highly tactical tournament. Marlo is one of those iconic systems that can reward anglers with big BREAM—but it can also humble even the best. This round showcased exactly that, with strong bags, shifting bite windows, and a mix of finesse and surface techniques proving critical. 🏆 Tournament Overview We break down all the key results and standout performances from the event, including: Anaconda Big BREAM: Patrick Byrne – 1.4kg Monster Mover: Evan Leonard (Donut Day 1 → Huge comeback Day 2) Youth Division Winner: Riley Whelan Women’s Division Winner: Beth Harris Masters (60+) Winner: Lindsay Pryke (4.95kg – inside Top 10 overall) Top 10 Highlights: 1st – Joseph Gardner – 6.15kg 2nd – Brendan Pieschel – 5.93kg 3rd – Ben Hanscombe – 5.84kg 4th – Simon “Batman” Morley 5th – Dale Baxter 6th – Tyler Bruce 7th – Lindsay Pryke 8th – Leon Loeng 9th – Joe Crosby 10th – James Scott 🎙️ Featured Angler Interviews This episode includes in-depth interviews with the Top 3 finishers, breaking down exactly how they approached the event: 🥉 Ben Hanscombe (3rd Place – 5.84kg) Dialled in shallow water finesse bite Key lure: Pro Lure Hybrid Shrimp Fishing ultra-light (3lb straight through) Focused on lake edges and subtle presentations 🥈 Brendan Pieschel (2nd Place – 5.93kg) Incredible Day 2 comeback with the biggest bag of the tournament (3.56kg) Key lure: Hurricane Skimp (cleaver colour) Strategy built around tight casting into reeds and shallow structure Stuck to one lure for the entire comp 🥇 Joseph Gardner (1st Place – 6.15kg) First time fishing Marlo and takes the win Unique approach using surface (Bent Minnow) Long pauses and ultra-subtle retrieves triggered bites Focused on less-pressured water in Frenchs Narrows 🧠 Key Takeaways from Marlo Surface lures can dominate—even in tough systems Slow presentations and long pauses were critical Light line vs confidence—finding the balance Managing pressure and fish location over multiple days Adapting retrieves based on weather and light conditions 🎣 The Marlo Factor Marlo continues to prove why it’s one of the most exciting—and challenging—BREAM fisheries in the country. Big fish are there… but not easy Bite windows are short and crucial One decision (or one lost fish) can change everything 🤝 Thanks & Acknowledgements A big thank you to Hobie Fishing Australasia for running another outstanding event, and to all competitors who shared their insights throughout the episode. 🔗 Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective If you want to improve your fishing faster and learn from Australia’s best anglers, check out: https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com Inside the Collective: Monthly live streams Exclusive content Direct access to Andrew (AMA sessions) A community of anglers all working to improve 🎧 Listen Every Tuesday Make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss an episode of The Bream Fishing Project Podcast—your home for tournament insights, techniques, and stories from Australia’s best BREAM anglers.

Hobie Fishing Series 2026 Round 1 – Bemm River | Greg & David Crebert Go 1–2 | Leon Leong Breaks It Down In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to Bemm River in Victoria for Round 1 of the 2026 Hobie Fishing Series, held on 17–18 February 2026. This round was sponsored by St. Croix Rods and Strike Pro, and it produced one of the best stories you could ask for to start the new Hobie season. At the end of two fascinating days of fishing, the event delivered a remarkable result with brothers Greg Crebert and David Crebert finishing first and second, while Leon Leong rounded out the podium in third place after a very methodical and thoughtful tournament performance. This episode includes discussion about: • tournament strategy at Bemm River • fishing weed edges and flats • how wind direction shaped the event • lure choice for big BREAM • breaking down open water structure • the mental side of tournament fishing Hosted by Andrew Death, the 2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion, this episode is a great recap of a cracking tournament and a strong start to the 2026 Hobie season. Event Overview Event: Hobie Fishing Series 2026 – Round 1 Location: Bemm River, Victoria Dates: 17–18 February 2026 Round Sponsors: St. Croix Rods and Strike Pro Bemm River once again showed why it is such a respected tournament location, producing strong bags and interesting tactical fishing. The winning total weight was 6.14 kg, which works out to just over 1 kg per fish across the six fish weighed over the two competition days. Special Awards and Division Winners Big BREAM Cameron Cole – 1.15 kg Monster Mover Corey Lean Day 1 – 0.14 kg Day 2 – 1.96 kg Youth Division Riley Whelan – 2.62 kg Women’s Division Ruth Beeby – 4.30 kg Masters Division Patrick Byrne – 4.33 kg First-Time Competitor David Chapman – 1.97 kg Overall Podium Results 🥇 1st Place – Greg Crebert Total – 6.14 kg 🥈 2nd Place – David Crebert Day 1 – 2.29 kg Day 2 – 2.97 kg Total – 5.26 kg 🥉 3rd Place – Leon Leong Day 1 – 2.23 kg Day 2 – 2.71 kg Total – 4.94 kg Leon Leong – Third Place Leon Leong’s interview is one of the highlights of this episode. Andrew notes during the conversation that listeners should pay attention to the way Leon broke down the system and worked through the conditions, because his approach was very disciplined and thoughtful. Leon explains how his preparation included: • listening to previous Bemm River podcast episodes • researching the fishery online • testing the river during pre-fish before abandoning that plan • identifying a key five-foot zone with broken weed patches Using side scan, Leon located fish holding around weed patches and worked through the area very methodically. His key lures and tackle included: • Cleaver Sprat plastics • Wave Minnow • Clone Prawn • Atomic Deep 38 crankbait • three-pound leader • Atlas tungsten jigheads • Shine Away and S-Factor scent Leon describes how: • the fish wanted long pauses and subtle bites on Day 1 • on Day 2 they responded strongly to the Cleaver Sprat • broken weed patches in about five feet of water held the better fish • kayak positioning and wind direction were critical For third place Leon took home: • $895 cash • St. Croix Mojo Bass rod • trophy and sponsor prize pack • qualification for the Australian Championship Greg and David Crebert – Brothers Finish 1st and 2nd One of the best stories from the event was the Crebert brothers finishing first and second. Andrew interviews Greg Crebert and David Crebert together, which makes for a fun conversation as they talk about fishing together and competing against each other. They explain that: • every fishing trip between them becomes competitive • they record results when fishing socially • they share information but still want to beat each other • this result was special because it happened with family Pre-Fish Strategy The Creberts kept things simple during pre-fish. They headed toward Mahogany, where they quickly found fish holding close to the reeds. Key lures included: • Sprat 75 soft plastics • Baby Vibes During pre-fish the fish were sitting extremely shallow, right near the reeds. Day 1 Conditions changed slightly and the bigger fish were no longer right in the shallows. Both anglers moved slightly deeper to target fish around weed edges. David Crebert • early fish – 900 g • second fish – 540 g • third fish – 760 g Day 1 total – 2.29 kg Greg Crebert • early fish – 900 g • second fish – 450 g • third fish – 1.1 kg • later upgrade – 980 g Day 1 total – 2.97 kg Greg finished Day 1 in first place. Day 2 Stronger winds on Day 2 forced both anglers to adjust by moving to heavier jigheads while continuing to fish the same productive area. David Crebert Late upgrades pushed his bag to: 2.97 kg on Day 2 5.26 kg total Greg Crebert Greg found a late bite window and upgraded strongly with several quality fish. Final winning weight – 6.14 kg Key Lures and Techniques This episode includes lots of useful insight into lure selection and t

Hobie Fishing Series Round 9 – St Georges Basin | Grant Oliver Claims First Hobie Win | The Bream Fishing Project In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to St Georges Basin on the South Coast of New South Wales to recap Round 9 of the 2025 Hobie Fishing Series, brought to you by BerleyPro and Fish Tech Solutions. This was a tough two-day tournament, with only three full bags recorded across the entire field, but despite the difficult conditions there were still some standout performances, including a dominant win from Grant Oliver, who put together two full bags for a total of 4.57 kg and secured his first Hobie Fishing Series victory. Host Andrew Death, the 2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion, was also on the water for this event and sets the scene for a challenging but memorable weekend that included changing conditions, strong bite windows, a daylight savings time change, and a few big storylines — including the season-long Batman and Robin battle between Simon Morley and Tony Petty. If you enjoy tournament recaps, kayak fishing strategy, and hearing how top anglers break down difficult BREAM events, this is an episode worth listening to. Event Overview Event: Hobie Fishing Series Round 9 Location: St Georges Basin, NSW Dates: 4–5 October 2025 Sponsors: BerleyPro and Fish Tech Solutions St Georges Basin produced a very tough round, with anglers having to adapt to changing weather and low bag numbers across the field. Conditions and Bite Periods Saturday – 4 October Fish Activity Wheel: 60 Major Bite Period: 8:02 AM – 10:32 AM High Tide: 6:12 AM – 1.18 m Low Tide: 11:51 AM – 0.44 m Sunday – 5 October Fish Activity Wheel: 74 Major Bite Period: 9:49 AM – 12:19 PM High Tide: 7:49 AM – 1.29 m Low Tide: 1:39 PM – 0.32 m A couple of factors made the event even tougher: • A north-westerly wind came through on Sunday • Daylight savings changed on Saturday night, meaning anglers effectively started an hour earlier on Sunday The result was a challenging competition where every fish counted. Division Winners Anaconda Big BREAM Ben Harrison – 0.99 kg Monster Mover Luke Rogan – 1.95 kg After recording zero on Day 1, Luke came back strongly on Sunday to claim the Monster Mover prize. Women’s Division Leanne Cowen Leanne landed three fish for 1.97 kg on Saturday, which was enough to secure the women’s division and finish 12th overall. Masters Division Peter Nord – 2.62 kg Peter recorded 1.99 kg on Saturday and one fish for 630 g on Sunday. Overall Podium Results 🥇 1st – Grant Oliver Day 1: 3 fish – 2.27 kg Day 2: 3 fish – 2.30 kg Total: 4.57 kg 🥈 2nd – Adam Lalor Day 1: 3 fish – 2.15 kg Day 2: 3 fish – 1.35 kg Total: 3.50 kg 🥉 3rd – Rick King Day 1: 3 fish – 1.85 kg Day 2: 2 fish – 1.30 kg Total: 3.15 kg Only three anglers recorded full bags for the entire tournament, highlighting just how tough the fishing was. Rick King – Third Place Rick King continued what he described as a “purple patch” season, finishing third overall with 3.15 kg. Rick committed to fishing the islands, using shallow crankbaits and blades to grind out bites in difficult conditions. Key lures and techniques discussed in this episode: • Pro Lure Combat crankbaits • Stealth blades • Slow rolling crankbaits to avoid weed • Fishing 1–2.2 metres around the islands Rick finished the season 7th in Angler of the Year and walked away with: • $550 cash • Hobie trophy • Sponsor prize pack Adam Lalor – Second Place Adam Lalor had one of the most dramatic performances of the event. After struggling most of the morning on Day 1, Adam suddenly caught three fish in three casts to secure a bag over 2 kg. Key techniques Adam discusses in the episode: • Daiwa Rolling Cranks in brown suji • Fishing shallow structure around the islands • Switching to Hurricane Vibe 37 in camo crab • Fishing the entire event on 2 lb fluorocarbon Adam also talks about rod choices, including Millerods Flats Freak rods, and how long casts helped him cover water effectively. For second place Adam received: • $915 cash • BerleyPro Bottom Drawer storage system • Trophy • AC qualification • Sponsor prize pack Grant Oliver – First Place Grant Oliver delivered the standout performance of the tournament, catching two full bags for a winning total of 4.57 kg. Grant relied on years of accumulated marks around St Georges Basin and focused on a consistent pattern fishing 2–2.5 metres around the islands. Key lures and techniques: • Jackall Chubby Deep – brown suji • Pro Lure Clone Prawn • Gulp Nemesis soft plastics • Slow rolling crankbaits into weed and sand patches • Targeting known fish-holding structure After filling his bag early both days, Grant upgraded multiple times to secure a winning margin of just over one kilogram. First place winnings included: • $1,500 cash • Hobie trophy • Sponsor prize pack • Australian Championship qualification Batman vs Robin – The Season Result For years, Simon Morley and Tony Petty have jokingly been called Batman and Robin, a nickname given

Hobie Kayak Fishing Series 2025 – Power-Pole Round 8 | Burrill Lake | Luke Rogan Takes the Win In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to the south coast of New South Wales for the Power-Pole Round 8 of the 2025 Hobie Kayak Fishing Series, held at Burrill Lake. What started as a calm, mill-pond morning quickly turned into an absolute washing machine of wind and waves, making for a very challenging day of tournament fishing. Despite the tough conditions, the anglers still managed to find some quality fish, with Luke Rogan rising to the top with a winning bag of 2.58 kg, ahead of Corey Lean in second place and Daniel Quarmby in third. Host Andrew Death (2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion) sits down with the podium anglers to break down exactly how they approached Burrill Lake, the key decisions they made throughout the day, and the lures and techniques that ultimately produced their fish. Event Overview Location: Burrill Lake, NSW Series: Hobie Kayak Fishing Series 2025 Round Sponsor: Power-Pole With strong winds forecast later in the day, the event launched early at 6:00 AM to give anglers the best possible window to fish before conditions deteriorated. Bite Periods Major Bite Window: 6:22 AM – 8:52 AM Tides for the session: High Tide – 4:26 AM (1.05 m) Low Tide – 9:38 AM (0.68 m) Even with a good bite window early in the morning, Burrill Lake fished very tough, with only a small number of anglers managing to secure full bags. Tournament Results 🥇 1st Place – Luke Rogan 3 fish – 2.58 kg 🥈 2nd Place – Corey Lean 3 fish – 1.88 kg 🥉 3rd Place – Daniel Quarmby 3 fish – 1.82 kg Big BREAM: Wade Walker – 1.17 kg Daniel Quarmby – Third Place Daniel travelled five hours from Orange in Central West NSW to compete in the event and went into the tournament without a pre-fish. Starting on the edges with crankbaits, Daniel initially struggled to find BREAM and instead caught several pinkie snapper and flathead while searching the lake. Eventually he located fish holding deeper off a point and switched to soft plastics, using: Keitech Easy Shiner Z-Man Grub (motor oil) Light jigheads with a long fluorocarbon leader By anchoring in shallow water with his Power-Pole and casting into deeper water around six metres, Daniel slowly worked his plastics along the bottom and secured three scoring fish. His biggest fish measured 37 cm, helping him claim his first Hobie podium and his first tournament trophy. Corey Lean – Second Place Corey focused on deeper structure and drop-offs early, finding fish holding slightly off the edges rather than up shallow on the flats. Fishing lightly weighted soft plastics and prawn-style lures along a drop-off, he secured two fish early before landing his key fish for the day. One of his best BREAM came from beneath a pontoon boat sitting over deeper water, where he skipped a soft plastic under the structure and hooked a 41 cm fish on light line. As the wind intensified, Corey made the decision to head back early for safety, finishing the day with three fish weighing 1.88 kg and securing second place. Luke Rogan – First Place Luke’s winning strategy involved committing to fishing upstream in the creeks, despite hearing reports from other anglers that the area hadn’t been producing fish. Fishing crab-style crankbaits around deeper snags, Luke found BREAM holding slightly off the bank in deeper water rather than tight to structure. Once he located the fish, he quickly secured his bag, landing multiple quality fish to finish with 2.58 kg, giving him a clear win in the tough conditions. Gear and Techniques Discussed During the episode the anglers discuss a range of gear and techniques used during the event, including: Samurai Infinite rods Samurai Reaction rods Shimano Stella reels Atomic X8 braid Soft plastics and prawn-style lures Crab-style crankbaits Long fluorocarbon leaders Power-Pole anchoring systems Listen to The Bream Fishing Project 🎧 New episodes every Tuesday Hosted by Andrew Death – 2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion The Bream Fishing Project brings you: • Tournament recaps from around Australia • Interviews with elite competition anglers • Techniques to help you catch more BREAM on lures Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective Become part of the community through The Bream Fishing Project Collective, where members get: • Early access to episodes • Monthly live streams with anglers from around the country • Extra fishing content and discussions Join here: https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com Support the Podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please consider: ⭐ Subscribing ⭐ Leaving a rating or review ⭐ Sharing the show with a mate who loves BREAM fishing

In this episode of The BREAM Fishing Project Podcast, we head to Action Fishing Tournaments Round 8, held at Berowra Waters on September 21, 2025, for a fascinating look at how this event unfolded and how a standout bag of fish separated one angler from the rest of the field. This was a cracking little tournament, with plenty of storylines right through the top placings. Ben Gillespie put together an incredible winning bag of 123.5cm, built around fish measuring 44cm, 42cm and 37.5cm, to take a commanding win by a huge margin. Warren Allen returned to the show after finishing second with 107.5cm, while James Tran continued his strong run of form with another podium finish, taking third with 106.5cm. The episode also rounds out the top five, with Jose Lopez on 105.5cm, including a 48cm Big BREAM, and Josh Richards on 101.5cm. As always, the episode opens with the key conditions for the day, including the bite periods, fish activity and tides. On Sunday, September 21, 2025, the fish activity wheel sat at 97, with a major bite period from 10:11am to 12:41pm. The tide information for the event saw a high at 7:53am (1.55m) and a low at 1:53pm (0.25m), helping paint the picture of how the day set up and why certain patterns came into play. The first interview is with James Tran, who backed up another strong result with a smart and disciplined performance to finish third. James talks through a valuable pre-fish session where he spent time sounding out fish and experimenting with deeper presentations, including blades and soft plastics, before ultimately trusting his instincts on tournament day. He explains how he found fish holding away from the edges during pre-fish, but then abandoned that plan once competition day began and instead committed to his confidence technique around hard structure. James goes deep into his use of the Cranka Crab, explaining how he cast tight to rocky edges, pontoons and gnarly structure, often placing the lure right into tight gaps and holes. He describes a day built on accurate casting, slow lure movement and confidence in fishing close to the bank. He also shares details of his gear, including his move to 4lb straight-through fluorocarbon, fishing with near locked drag, and using a Shimano Raider rod paired with a Vanford 2500. It’s a detailed discussion about commitment, accuracy, confidence in light line, and how a simple edge-fishing pattern can still produce under pressure. James also shares some entertaining stories from the day, including the chaos of the launch, some on-water banter with fellow competitors, and a frantic late rush back to the ramp to avoid another costly late check-in. It adds a lot of personality to the episode and shows just how much happens in a comp day beyond simply catching fish. Next up is Warren Allen, who finished second by fishing to his strengths. Warren explains how he skipped pre-fish and instead relied on past experience from fishing Berowra Waters in previous events. After trying a few different approaches early, including fishing boats, blades and other lure options, he eventually settled on one of his confidence techniques: a Hurricane Sprat on a hidden-weight 1/28 jighead. Warren breaks down a really interesting pattern, where he found fish set up not behind the rocks, but actually on the front of the rocks in the current pressure wave. He talks about visually spotting the structure, reading clearer water in the shallows, and making repeated casts to likely ambush points. He also explains how small details like current flow, rock positioning and bait movement influenced where the BREAM were sitting. For anglers who love finesse fishing, this section is full of practical insights, especially around lure weight, hook selection, leader choice and the importance of understanding where fish position themselves in current. To finish the interviews, Ben Gillespie joins the show after a dominant win. Ben did not pre-fish, but used a mix of past experience, map work and sounder research to develop a plan around likely productive edges and drop-offs. Once on the water, he stuck to that plan, eventually finding a section of rocky edge and broken structure that held multiple quality fish. Ben talks through how he cast his Cranka Crab hard against the bank, let it settle, and then worked it back slowly with tiny movements and occasional shakes. The fish were often hitting within the first few winds, and he was able to repeat the pattern again and again across the right type of structure. Ben’s interview is packed with detail on how that winning bag came together, including the type of banks he preferred, why steeper drop-offs were less effective than rocky edges with rubble and back eddies, and how critical confidence in the lure was on the day. He also explains his tackle setup, including 8lb braid and 8lb leader, and talks about the rod he trusts most for crab fishing. His winning fish did serious damage to his lures, flattening trebles and destroying

The BREAM Fishing Project – March 2026 Monthly Report March is here and the tournament scene is starting to fire back up around the country. In this Monthly Report episode of The BREAM Fishing Project, Andrew is joined by Brett Geddes to look ahead at what’s coming up in the next few weeks, reflect on the Marlo round, and dive deep into some technical discussions that will help you catch more and better BREAM. We kick things off by running through the March tournament calendar, including the BREAM Masters SA event on the Glenelg River, the Hobie round at Wallaga Lake (including the Saturday night talk session), WA boat rounds, the NSW Tournament Series event at Lake Macquarie, and Vic BREAM at Gippsland Lakes. There’s also a bit of exciting news around the first official BREAM Fishing Project Team heading to Vic BREAM — something we’ll be watching closely. From there we unpack the listener survey results, with over 140 responses from the community. We talk through what listeners are enjoying, what they want more of, and some of the feedback around species coverage and content direction moving forward. A big portion of this episode is dedicated to a full Marlo recap, including Brett’s last-minute trip down, pre-fish observations, the challenges of a boom-and-bust fishery, and some honest reflections on how quickly a session can unravel when you miss key details like hydration and preparation. There are some great takeaways here for anyone fishing systems that can turn on and off quickly. The second half of the episode shifts into a detailed soft plastics and rigging session. We explore: Using heavier jighead weights and a more aggressive retrieve to trigger bites How different jighead weights can completely change lure action and presentation Rigging a prawn-style soft plastic multiple ways (forward, backward, and mid-body hook placements) Weedless rigging options and when they’re most effective How subtle rigging adjustments can change your hook-up rate and presentation in pressured systems Brett also shares his flies eyes / dumbbell eyes concept, originally adapted from fly fishing, and how it can be used to control sink rate and lure orientation when targeting fish in shallow water. This leads into some really interesting discussion around sight fishing opportunities and how to present plastics in front of actively feeding BREAM. We also touch on Andrew's recent session at Towra Flats, a quick chat about Arc Genesis hooks (use code BFP to support the show and grab a discount), and finish up with a wrap on a sight fishing session at Lake Tyers and some gear insights including Hobie sunglasses. This episode is packed with practical takeaways, honest reflections from recent tournament experiences, and plenty of ideas you can apply on your next session. 🎣 Join The Collective If you want to take your fishing further, join The BREAM Fishing Project Collective — a growing community of anglers sharing ideas, techniques and experiences, with bonus content and regular live streams. 👉 Join here: breamfishingproject.supercast.com 🤝 Support the Podcast If you enjoy the show, the best way to support it is to: Share the episode with a mate Leave a rating or review Check out our partners and sponsors Thanks for listening to The BREAM Fishing Project — we’ll see you on the water.

🎣 Mallacoota ABT 2026 Wrap-Up | Mark Healey’s 3-Peat, Non-Boater Battles & Tactical Breakdowns In this episode of The BREAM Fishing Project, we head to one of Australia’s most iconic tournament arenas — Mallacoota, Victoria — to wrap up the Victorian leg of the ABT Road Show for 2026. Held across February 7–8, this round delivered classic Mallacoota conditions — glassed-out mornings, spooky fish, heavy prawn activity, and a brutal 40+ knot northeaster that turned the final session into survival mode. And at the top of it all… Mark Healey makes history with a three-peat at Mallacoota. This is a deep-dive tournament breakdown packed with real-world tactics, lure selection, decision-making under pressure, and the subtle details that separate top-10 finishes from the rest of the field. 🏆 EVENT RESULTS SNAPSHOT Non-Boater Division 🥇 1st – Robert Bluemink – 4.997kg 🥈 2nd – Michael Sammut – 4.601kg 🥉 3rd – Darcy Clifton – 4.524kg Boater Division 🥇 1st – Mark Healey – 10.131kg (Three-peat winner) 🥈 2nd – Mario Vukic – 9.707kg 🥉 3rd – Jarrod Healey – 9.372kg 🌊 CONDITIONS & KEY PATTERNS Glass-out mornings with highly visible fish on edges and flats Spooky fish behaviour – requiring finesse presentations Heavy prawn influence across both days Mid-water fish holding identified via live sonar Strong northeaster (up to 40 knots) impacting final-day strategy Tidal timing critical for access to larger yellowfin down the front 🧠 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE This episode is loaded with practical, tournament-level insights you can apply straight away: 🔹 Non-Boater Strategies Fishing deeper water behind boaters to find untouched fish Adjusting lure profiles when fish are present but not feeding Using LiveScope/sonar feedback to refine presentations Managing pressure and upgrades across two days 🔹 Boater Winning Tactics Mark Healey’s two-zone strategy (lake system + front system) Timing tide windows for big yellowfin BREAM bites Using topwater, twitch baits, and prawn imitations to match conditions Adapting to wind, current, and boat pressure 🔹 Key Lure Patterns SPRAT plastics on light jigheads (1/16–1/12) Hybrid prawn imitations for mid-water fish Bent minnows for early topwater fish Chubbies & twitch baits for structured edges Crabs and shallow minnows as upgrade tools 🧵 GEAR & TECHNIQUE INSIGHTS Light leaders: 3–6lb fluorocarbon for natural presentation Ultra-light rod setups for finesse lure control Adjusting jighead weight to match wind, depth, and current Watching fish behaviour on sonar to guide retrieve style The importance of slow presentations and patience in pressured systems 🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM MALLOCOOTA 2026 You didn’t need numbers — you needed quality bites Prawn imitations were the dominant pattern across both divisions Sight-casting and subtle presentations were critical in clear water Mid-water fish played a bigger role than bottom-holding fish Timing the front system correctly was the difference maker 🔗 LINKS & COMMUNITY 👉 Join The BREAM Fishing Project Collective Early episode access, live streams, bonus content and challenges: https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram @thebreamfishingproject 🌐 Website & community updates https://breamfishingproject.com 🙌 THANK YOU Massive thanks to all the anglers who took the time to jump on the mic after long tournament days — your willingness to share knowledge is what makes this project possible. And to everyone who filled out the recent listener survey — your feedback is helping shape the future of the show. 🎧 Subscribe, share and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode — it helps grow the BREAM community and keeps these stories coming. The BREAM Fishing Project Informing, inspiring, and entertaining Australia’s BREAM anglers every week.

ABT 2026 Season Opener – Gippsland Lakes | Winning Techniques, Gear, and Tournament Breakdown The 2026 ABT season is officially underway — and it starts with a cracker event at Gippsland Lakes. In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project Podcast, we break down the ABT Gippsland Lakes Round (February 3–4, 2026) with full tournament results, in-depth angler interviews, bite period analysis, and the exact techniques that produced winning bags. If you want to catch bigger BREAM in tournaments or recreationally, this episode is loaded with practical insights from anglers who were right at the top of the leaderboard. 📍 Event Overview – ABT Gippsland Lakes Dates: February 3–4, 2026 Location: Gippsland Lakes, Victoria Conditions: Tough bite periods, shifting wind, and subtle presentations required Winning weight (boaters): 12.81 kg Winning weight (non-boaters): 5.413 kg 🌊 Key Bite Windows & Conditions We break down the fish activity wheel, tides, and major/minor bite periods, including: Major bite windows late in both sessions Low tide early morning, rising into strong late-session periods Subtle bites and structure-oriented fish behaviour Understanding this pattern was critical to unlocking the better fish during both competition days. 🥇 Top Performances – Non Boater Division 🥇 Simon Krause – 1st Place (5.413 kg) Slim Swims rigged weedless on light jigheads River fish holding 1.5–1.8m off banks Slow bottom hops and subtle rod shakes Last-minute upgrade on a Jackall Chubby sealed the win 🥈 David Morris – 2nd Place (5.318 kg) Hardbody spike bite on shallow flats Hurricane Sprat upgrade fish Ultra-fine copolymer leader for extra bites 🥉 Allan Morrison – 3rd Place (5.187 kg) Heavy mussel patterns on jetties Slow bottom presentation with long pauses Over-1kg average fish across his bag 🥇 Top Performances – Boater Division 🥇 Steven Pryke – 1st Place (12.81 kg) Bloodworm grubs and dock fishing High water-column fish holding around pontoons Final-hour upgrade fish each day secured the win Strong hook-sets on heavier gear to control big fish 🥈 Mark Healey – 2nd Place (12.152 kg) Cranka Crabs all tournament Fishing deep structure and jetty bases Slow presentations — bites coming off the bottom Precision casting within inches of structure 🥉 Mario Vukic – 3rd Place (11.404 kg) Soft plastics (Wave Minnow, Bloodworm) Livescope + structure fishing in Mitchell River Tide-driven fish movement and schooling behaviour 🎣 Key Techniques Covered in This Episode ✔️ Fishing slim plastics weedless from the back of the boat ✔️ Using Cranka Crabs on structure for big BREAM ✔️ When to fish light leaders vs heavy leaders ✔️ How to adjust when fish are sitting high vs on the bottom ✔️ The importance of last-hour upgrades in tournaments ✔️ Using side imaging and Livescope to locate fish ✔️ Managing pressure, nerves, and decision-making across two days 🧰 Lures & Gear Mentioned Jackall Chubby Crankbaits Daiwa Spikes & Wise Minnow Hurricane Sprat Zman Slim Swim soft plastics Bloodworm grubs Cranka Crabs Atomic jigheads (weedless setups) Shimano Vanford Daiwa reels and Infeet rods 🧠 Big Takeaways from Gippsland Lakes 2026 Structure was key — jetties, docks, river edges Light lines = more bites, but heavier gear = better control in structure Fish often required slow, patient presentations The last hour of each day was critical for upgrades Anglers who adapted quickly to conditions finished at the top 🔥 Want More Like This? If you want to improve your BREAM fishing and learn directly from Australia’s top tournament anglers… 👉 Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective 🎣 Early access to podcast episodes 🎣 Monthly live streams & coaching sessions 🎣 Exclusive tutorials, challenges & bonus content Join here: 👉 https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com 🎙 About The Podcast The Bream Fishing Project Podcast is your weekly deep dive into Australian BREAM tournament fishing, featuring: Elite anglers Winning techniques Tackle breakdowns Tournament reports And everything you need to catch more and bigger BREAM Hosted by Andrew Death, 2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion. ⭐ Enjoying the show? If you enjoyed this episode: ✔️ Follow the podcast ✔️ Leave a rating/review ✔️ Share it with a mate who loves BREAM fishing It helps the show grow and allows us to keep bringing you more content like this. 🎧 Next Episode: We head to Mallacoota for the next ABT round — don’t miss it.