Catching Bream: Brunswick River Tips

Bream are an iconic species in Australia that can be found in the Brunswick River, a popular tourist destination with a relaxed beach town vibe. The river is home to a diverse range of marine life, including Bream, making it a great spot for anglers of all levels of experience. Bream are opportunistic feeders and will go after a wide variety of baits, from live worms and nippers to chicken gut and skirt steak. They can be found in deeper backwaters and along the edges of the river's main current, and their presence is often indicated by rolling on the water surface or small bubbles. To catch Bream in the Brunswick River, it is recommended to use a light spinning rod, a reel with a front drag system, and a quality 4-8 pound monofilament line.

The best baits and lures to catch bream

Bream are an iconic species of Australia that can be found all year round. They are a great fish to target for beginners and experienced anglers alike.

When it comes to the best baits and lures for catching bream, there are a few options that are known to be productive and reliable. Here are some of the top choices:

• Scrub worms
• Maggots
• Yabbies
• Sandworms
• Crickets
• Small live baits
• Earthworms
• Catalpa worms
• Mealworms
• Wax worms
• Grubs
• Roaches
• Grasshoppers
• Grass shrimp
• Leeches

When fishing for bream, it is recommended to use lighter gear as they are easily spooked by thick lines and heavy gear. A light spinning rod with a length of around 7 feet and a weight of 1-3 or 2-4 kilos is ideal. For the reel, a 1000, 2000 or 2500 size will work well. In terms of fishing line, a 4-8 pound monofilament line is recommended for bait fishing, while a light braid is a good choice when using lures.

In addition to the right bait and gear, it is also important to consider the fishing rig setup. Here are a few simple rigs that can be effective for catching bream:

• Simple running sinker rig: Use a 4-pound monofilament mainline with a 45cm 4-pound fluorocarbon leader and a size 4 long shank bait keeper hook. This is ideal for fishing with unweighted live yabbies or packet prawns.
• Small hook rig: Use a 4-pound monofilament mainline with a pea-size running ball sinker or a small berley cage above a small barrel swivel. Add a 45cm 4-pound fluorocarbon leader with a small size 12 or 14 hook. This rig is perfect for small baits like maggots and bread.
• Unweighted rig: Similar to the simple running sinker rig, but without any weight. This is also ideal for fishing with unweighted live yabbies or packet prawns.

When fishing for bream, it is also helpful to use berley to attract the fish to your location. Berley can be purchased or made at home using ingredients like tuna oil, chicken pellets, bread crumbs, pilchard, wheat, and bread.

The best fishing spots in Brunswick River

The Brunswick River is a popular tourist destination with a relaxed beach town vibe. Located approximately 160 km south of Brisbane, 780 km north of Sydney, and just 15 minutes from Byron Bay, it offers a variety of fishing spots for families, land-based anglers, kayakers, and boaters. The river is home to a rich diversity of marine life, including Bream, making it a great location for anglers of all skill levels. Here are some of the best fishing spots in the Brunswick River:

• South break wall: This spot is protected from the southeast swell and wind, making it an ideal location for anglers targeting Bream. It also offers the opportunity to catch other species such as Flathead and Tailor, with the chance of hooking a Mulloway at night.
• Marshalls Creek rock wall: Head to this spot if you're specifically after Flathead. It's known for its great Flathead fishing.
• Boat Harbour Rock wall: This is the place to go if you want to target Bream. The rising tide at this spot provides a great opportunity to catch them.
• Simpson Creek Upstream: Simpson Creek is worth exploring, especially on bigger tides. Cast your line into the gutters, drop-offs, and channels draining into the main river. This spot is also known for lure fishing, making it a good option for those who enjoy this technique.
• Marshall Creek Oyster Leases: For the best results, fish on an incoming tide at this spot, where you can expect to catch Bream.
• Marshall Creek Upstream: This area is also worth visiting, particularly on bigger tides. The outgoing tide can be very productive for Flathead fishing.
• Marshall Creek Rockwall Drain: On a runout tide, this spot can yield excellent results for Flathead anglers.
• Marshall Creek Rock Wall: This is another versatile spot for fishing, as both the incoming and outgoing tides work well. You can target Bream and Flathead here.
• Boat Harbour Rock wall: This rock wall offers the chance to catch a variety of species, including Flathead, Luderick, and even the occasional Mangrove Jack.
• Simpson Creek Rock Wall: During the winter months, this spot becomes a popular choice for anglers targeting Luderick. However, it's also possible to catch Bream, Mulloway, and Flathead at this location.

When fishing in the Brunswick River, it's important to use the right gear. For Bream fishing, a light spinning rod and reel combo is recommended. A 7-foot rod with a weight of 1-3 or 2-4 kilos, paired with a 1000, 2000, or 2500 size reel, will give you the finesse needed for this style of fishing. Additionally, a quality 4-8 pound monofilament line is suggested, as it is more affordable and less prone to wind knots.

The best fishing gear for Brunswick River

The Brunswick River is a popular fishing spot for families, land-based anglers, kayakers, and boaters. The river is home to a diverse range of marine life, including Bream, Whiting, Flathead, Cod, Mulloway, and Tailor. Here is some recommended fishing gear for your trip to the Brunswick River:

Rods and Reels:

• For Bream fishing, a light spinning rod is recommended. Look for a rod with a weight of 1-3 or 2-4 kilo and a length of around 7 feet.
• Pair your rod with a reel such as the Savage Gear MPP2 or Shimano Sienna 2500.
• Entry-level combos can start around $130, while high-end ultra-light spin outfits can cost thousands.
• For more advanced anglers, consider investing in a high-quality ultralight fishing outfit. Brands such as Millers, Daiwa, Shimano, Atomic, and Abu Garcia offer custom bream rods to fit different budgets.

Fishing Line:

• When using lures, a light, quality braid is recommended. Select a braid between 4 to 8-pound test for Bream fishing.
• If you are using bait, a 4-8 pound monofilament line is suggested. Choose a good quality monofilament that is thinner in diameter to reduce wind knots.

Leader:

A fluorocarbon leader is recommended for Bream fishing. Use a leader that is approximately one rod length and 4-6 pounds in test. You can also go as low as 2 pounds for an extra challenge.

Lures and Baits:

• Bream fishing with lures has become a popular technique. Ultra-light spin rods, reels, and thin lines are commonly used.
• Small curl tail soft plastics are a popular choice for Bream. They are affordable and mimic the natural action of a baitfish. Popular brands include Daiwa, Berkley, Ecogear, and Savage Gear.
• Crank hard body lures are also effective for catching Bream. These lures create noise and have double treble hooks. Brands such as Daiwa and Savage Gear offer crank lures.
• Crab imitations, such as the Cranka Crab, are another option for Bream fishing. These lures float and slowly descend, imitating the movement of a crab.
• Hard body lures are ideal for shallow water fishing. Look for slim body lures with internal ball bearings in the 30mm to 60mm range. Brands like Nories, Pontoon21, Duo, and Daiwa offer hard body lures.
• Paddle tail soft plastics are simple yet effective lures for Bream. Popular brands include Daiwa, Savage Gear, Pro Lure, and Charlie Brewer.
• Blades, vibes, and shads are also effective for Bream fishing, especially in deeper water.
• Natural baits such as scrub worms, maggots, yabbies, sandworms, pilchards, prawns, chicken, bread, and pipis can also be used to catch Bream.

Jig Heads:

• When using soft plastics, select an appropriate jig head weight based on the fishing conditions and depth. Lighter jig heads, such as the TT Lures HWS (Hidden Weight System), allow for a more natural presentation and longer drops.
• For structure fishing, consider weedless rigging with the TT Lures ChinlockZ or SnakelockZ Finesse jigheads. These jigheads feature a fine wire hook and a unique design to secure your soft plastics.

With the right gear and techniques, you'll be well on your way to a successful Bream fishing trip at the Brunswick River!

The best time to fish for bream

Bream are an iconic species of Australia that can be caught all year round. However, the absolute best time to fish for river bream is in August and September when the water temperature is dropping and the bream start to feed more in preparation for winter. The best times of day to fish for bream are early mornings, late evenings, and later mornings, with overnight trips offering the highest chance of success.

Bream are a nomadic fish that can cover many river miles in search of food. They can be found in deeper backwaters, along the edges of the river's main current, or in stretches with a gentle and slow flow. They are an opportunist feeder and will eat almost anything, including worms, nippers, prawns, and skirt steak. They are also attracted to groundbait and particles, such as fishy groundbait with fish meal, krill meal, or bloodworm extract.

In the Brunswick River, bream can be found all year round. The river has a variety of fishing spots for families, land-based anglers, kayakers, and boaters. Popular spots for catching bream include the South break wall, Marshalls Creek rock wall, and the Boat Harbour Rock wall.

How to locate bream in the river

Locating bream in a river is an important step in catching them. Here are some tips on how to find bream in a river:

• Look for deeper backwaters, as bream tend to seek out deeper water during colder months.
• Search along the edges of the river's main current or in stretches with a gentle and slow flow.
• Keep an eye out for rolling bream on the surface, as this indicates they are feeding. This is more likely to occur in the late evenings and early mornings.
• Look for small bubbles on the surface, which may indicate that bream are feeding off the bottom.
• Seek out spots with signs of other anglers, such as cut grass, dried groundbait, or makeshift banksticks.
• Use local knowledge by asking tackle shops, river keepers, or local fishermen for advice on where to find bream in the river.
• Pre-bait your swim with groundbait and particles to attract and keep bream in your fishing area.
• Use social media and online resources to research rivers that are known to produce large bream.
• Visit rivers in your region and talk to local fishermen to gather information on potential bream hotspots.

Frequently asked questions