Go deep for Winter bream

As the days get cooler many keen estuary anglers start looking for bream. At this time of year, the fish are often quite close to the river mouths, having come off the beaches and nearby headlands ready to spawn.

A few months back many of the bream were more than happy in the middle and upper reaches of our tidal rivers and lakes. But now, with the cool weather upon us, chasing bream on lures is all about bombing the deep zones close to the river or lake entrance.

Being mad-keen on surface lures, I’ve always enjoyed the Summer bream fishery. I just can’t get enough of flicking small topwater lures around the bankside timber and working those highly productive shallow weed banks and tidal flats can be pure heaven.

Summer is certainly a great time to chase bream because it offers good numbers of fish and balmy conditions in which to chase them.

Winter bream spinning, however, is a whole new ballgame.

With the fish often holding deep down and a lot closer to the river mouth, sinking lures into the clear, cold water is often the best way to get results.

While not as visually exciting or as comfortable as the Summer fishery, Winter bream spinning presents its own set of challenges.

Good lure choice, presentation and the ability to read your sounder are just some off the challenges you’ll face daily.

The numb hands and running nose just add to the excitement.