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.

🥇 1st – Robert Bluemink – 4.997kg

🥇 1st – Mark Healey – 10.131kg (Three-peat winner)

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

This episode is loaded with practical, tournament-level insights you can apply straight away:

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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The BREAM Fishing Project