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