🏆 Samaki BREAM Queensland Open 2025 – A Battle on the Gold Coast & Moreton Bay | Full Recap + Angler Interviews

Welcome back to The Bream Fishing Project! In this episode, we dive deep into the 2025 Samaki BREAM Queensland Open, run by ABT and contested across two iconic Queensland fisheries: the Gold Coast canals (June 28) and Moreton Bay (June 29). This is the third year we’ve covered this prestigious event on the podcast, and we’re starting to see patterns, standout performers, and unforgettable moments emerge across the timeline.

With the event held under ABT’s fully app-based format, the focus was on results, tactics, and making the most of limited time on the water—and the anglers delivered. From motor breakdowns and monster fish to strategy shifts and tight leaderboard battles, this one has everything.

🎣 1st Place – Luke Rogan Luke secured his first Queensland Open title with a monster 4.676kg bag from the Gold Coast on Day 1, anchored by a 40.5cm fork-length beast. He talks through his gear choices, including a heavy rotation of edge rods, zip baits, and crushed crab lures. Day 2 proved challenging in the bay, but a smart decision to finish in the canals helped lock in the win. Listen in for a raw, honest account of landing (and losing) trophy fish—and how 10 years of effort finally paid off.

🎣 2nd Place – Bernard Kong Bernard’s story is one of pure grit and adaptability. After suffering a motor failure on Day 1, he fished the entire session on electric power alone and still came in 5th overnight. With support from mates in the community, he borrowed a boat for Day 2 and made the most of his time on the water, targeting the front ends of canals and fishing slowly with zip baits and crabby presentations. He credits the slower pace—and a couple of clutch fish in the final minutes—for one of his best results to date.

🎣 3rd Place – Mick Slade Mick delivered a consistent two-day performance, weighing 3.317kg on Saturday and 2.8kg on Sunday for a total of 6.117kg. In this chat, Mick runs through a diverse bag of techniques, including crankbaiting pontoons, fishing Pro Lure prawns and crabs, and using topwater in the canals. It’s a classic tale of persistence, a bit of tech trouble with the app, and a well-earned podium finish.

🕘 We also cover bite periods, tide charts, and moon phases, and look back at past Queensland Opens from 2023 and 2024 to compare bag sizes and event conditions. Whether you’re chasing trends or just want to hear great stories from elite tournament anglers, this episode delivers.

🎧 Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective Want early access to episodes like this, bonus content, and exclusive live streams breaking down lures, techniques, and results in detail? Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective. It’s your chance to learn faster, fish smarter, and be part of a growing Australian bream fishing community. Subscriptions start for less than the price of a single lure per month.

🧠 Recent topics in the Collective include:

• Using 2 & 3 lb straight-through fluorocarbon

• Mastering chubby-style lures and crankbait techniques

• Crabs, mussels, and hybrid baits

🎣 Proudly supported by:

• HWS Hobie Fishing – For all your kayak fishing needs

• fishin.com.au – Australia's online fishing tackle destination

• Podium Marine Wraps – Premium boat wraps and custom marine branding

Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed the episode, leave a rating or review and share it with your fishing mates. See you next Tuesday on The Bream Fishing Project.

🎣 July Monthly Report – Swains Reef Adventures, Tournament Rundown & the Free Rig Challenge

In this packed episode of The Bream Fishing Project, Andrew Death is joined once again by Brett Geddes for the July Monthly Report — and there's plenty to cover! From offshore adventures to grassroots tackle experimentation, this episode dives deep into what's been happening across the bream fishing scene.

Topics covered include:

• A full tournament calendar rundown for July across NSW, QLD, WA, and the ABT • Brett’s first-hand insight into Gippsland’s booming perch and bream numbers thanks to stocking efforts • Andrew’s Swains Reef trip recap with ET — including big sharks, coral trout, GTs, and one unforgettable enhanced sausage sandwich • The launch of the Collective’s new challenge: drop shot and free rig fishing, plus Brett’s honest first impressions • Massive session recaps with hundreds of perch and bream landed in recent trips • A heartfelt tribute to Victorian angler Dougie Fair • Giveaway results for new Collective subscribers featuring a prize pack from Force Lures • This month’s featured record: Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young

🎧 Subscribe to The Bream Fishing Project Collective to unlock bonus episodes, live streams, early access to interviews, and exclusive giveaways: 👉 https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com

Thanks to our sponsors: Hobie Fishing, fishin.com.au, Podium Marine Wraps, and Force Lures.

🎧 ABT Foster Round 2 Recap – Crabs, Grubs & Gutsy Calls: AOY Battle Heats Up | The Bream Fishing Project

Back-to-back Foster comps! In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we return to the stage of last week’s action for Round 2 of the 2025 Daiwa BREAM Series. The fish had seen it all. Pressure was up, the weather was finally calm, and the Angler of the Year race was down to two names: Mark Crompton and Mark Healey.

Six top anglers break down their tournament—how they adapted, adjusted, and pushed through fatigue and traffic on the water to land the right fish at the right time. From prawn bites and dirty water grinds to dramatic last-minute upgrades and technical rack extractions, this episode is full of insights from both new faces and seasoned veterans.

🎙 Interviews in this episode:

🟡 Drew Reid (3rd, Non-Boater) – In just his first ABT events, Drew takes us through six days on Foster including adapting to four completely different boaters. He reflects on how each taught him something new—from grub fishing with Scott Wilson to prawn presentations with John Glover. His comp ended with a calm, clutch finish using Daiwa prawns and a rolling crank in tight water.

🟡 Lance Marsh (2nd, Non-Boater) – Lance shares his evolution from a double donut in his first ABT four years ago to now bagging out early and calmly upgrading his way to second place. His consistent approach—casting Z-Man prawns at every pole he could see—paid off, as did smart decisions to fish hard while the tide was still high.

🟡 Mark Street (1st, Non-Boater) – An emotional win. Mark reflects on slow starts, exacting lure changes, and a deep-diving chubby upgrade right before weigh-in that helped him edge the win by just 20 grams. His honest recap includes the challenges of casting accuracy, changing hook weights, and the power of staying composed under pressure.

🟡 Paul Langley (3rd, Boater) – Paul returns for his second third-place finish in a week on the same waterway. He opens up on how he used clean water, wall structure, and subtle adjustments in presentation to deliver results. His use of active target and careful spot management helped both himself and his non-boaters finish high.

🟡 Chris Smith (2nd, Boater) – Chris reveals how a new rock wall he’d never fished before produced fish every day of both Foster rounds. He details how fish were striking crankbaits at the rod tip and explains how simplicity and confidence helped him commit to the same lures all week—earning a strong runner-up finish.

🟡 Mark Crompton (1st, Boater) – The win that sets up the AOY decider. Mark talks about risky choices that paid off, pushing into racks others wouldn’t touch, and the importance of speed rigging and line angles. The Daiwa Bait Junkie Grub once again played a starring role, and Mark shares why it remains one of the most underrated—but deadly—lures in comp fishing.

🌊 Tides & Bite Periods:

• Saturday: 55 activity rating. Major bite: 7:10–9:40 AM. High tide 5:34 AM (1.24 m), Low at 11:41 AM (0.41 m)

• Sunday: 65 activity rating. Major bite: 7:52–10:22 AM. High tide 6:19 AM (1.22 m), Low at 12:16 PM (0.40 m) (Note: Tides inside Foster lagged up to 2 hours.)

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💥 Thanks to our sponsors: Hobie Fishing, fishin.com.au, Podium Marine Wraps, and lure brands featured in this episode including Daiwa, Z-Man, Cranka, Karisma, and Bait Junkie.

🎥 Mentioned: Drew Reid’s YouTube channel – Moment of Stoke. Just search “Moment of Stoke Bream” on YouTube.

🎧 Hosted by 2019 Hobie Kayak Fishing World Champion, Andrew Death.

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we’re back at one of my all-time favourite arenas — Forster — to recap Round 1 of the 2025 Daiwa BREAM Series, proudly presented by ABT and sponsored by X-Braid. With the Manning River round cancelled due to weather, Forster stepped up to host the first of two back-to-back events across June 4–5 — and the fishing didn’t disappoint.

We kick things off with Sam Raco, who took 3rd place in the non-boating division with 2.865 kg. After a slow start and no fish until 11 a.m. on Day 1, Sam found success working racks with Outback Breamer muss lures and Bait Junkie Risky Critters, before pulling a critical late-session upgrade on a Cranka Crab that bumped him into the top three by just 30 grams.

But the standout performance of the round came from Mark Healey, who delivered a commanding win in the boating division with 10 fish for 6.975 kg — more than a full kilo ahead of second place. Mark overcame major hurdles just to compete — including mechanical issues during pre-fish that forced him to borrow a boat — yet still produced a flawless two-day campaign. He leaned on years of experience, precise crab presentations, and thoughtful spot management. His Day 1 included the big bream of the event, a 1.485 kg unit that helped secure his overnight lead. Day 2 saw him nearly crack 4 kg, sealing the win in dominant fashion.

Healey breaks down his winning approach:

• Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Light

• Vanford 2500HG

• 6 lb Sunline Castaway braid and 8–10 lb Ocea fluorocarbon leader

• Heavy Cranka Crabs in UV Olive for maximum line contact and drift control in tight structure

Also featured:

• 🥇 Ethan Glover – 1st place non-boater (3.470 kg), landing quality upgrades on crabs and rolling crankbaits

• 🥉 Paul Langley – 3rd place boater (5.475 kg), building bags with Gulp Crabbies and finesse grubs

• 🥈 Steven Pryke – 2nd place boater (5.820 kg), combining crankbaits, plastics, and a new reef find via LiveScope — plus an unplanned swim mid-session!

This is one of the most detailed breakdowns we’ve had — full of smart tactical choices, late-session clutch moments, and some truly quality bags.

🎣 Want more? Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective at breamfishingproject.supercast.com — get early access to episodes, join lure-specific challenges, tune into exclusive livestreams, and grab a tournament shirt before they’re gone.

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to the mighty Botany Bay on the Georges River in Sydney to recap the NSW BREAM Tournament Series round held on the 9th of March 2025. A one-day event with everything from boat trouble and bad weather to big fish and first-place finishes.

We hear from:

🎣 Abz Machlaoui and Rashid Ammoun from Team Finesse Angler who landed third place with a 3.89 kg bag, including the event’s Big Bream at 1.13 kg. Abz shares a chaotic but inspiring day that included rain, a collision, and a massive late-session upgrade using the Daiwa Baitjunkie 2.95" Flick in Red Herring.

🎣 Dane Tomaszeki and Adam Lacey from Team Zeus Tackle who finished second with 4.01 kg. They break down their precision pontoon approach with crabs and mussels, talk through heartbreaking near misses, and reflect on how Adam’s 1.1 kg fish nearly took Big Bream honours.

🎣 Ahmad Mahfoud and Rabih Itani from Team Smart Fish / Precision Building Maintenance who dominated the field with a 4.74 kg bag. They cover their methodical run from East Hills to Woolooware Bay, landing multiple kilo-class fish using Jackall Chubbies and Atomic Crank 38s in key current zones.

You’ll get lure talk, tactical insight, and some great stories from a tough but rewarding day on one of Sydney’s iconic Bream fisheries.

🔗 Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective Get early access to episodes, bonus content, live streams, and monthly lure-specific challenges: 👉 breamfishingproject.supercast.com

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Daiwa BREAM Series – Blackwood River WA | May 17–18, 2025 – Full Event Recap

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we’re heading back to the picturesque but punishing Blackwood River in Western Australia to break down the Daiwa BREAM Series round held over the weekend of May 17–18, 2025.

With conditions proving difficult across both days—flat conditions, fog delays, speed restrictions, and finicky fish—the event became a real test of patience, presentation, and local knowledge. Despite the challenges, Rob Dawson came out on top in the boating division with a unique stat: matching weights of 1.93 kg on both days of competition. In a field full of experienced competitors, consistency was key.

Joining the show are all six podium finishers—boaters and non-boaters—who walk us through their pre-fish strategies, lure choices, on-the-day decisions, and what they’d do differently next time. You’ll hear from:

• Boating Division: Rob Dawson (1st), Greg Cooper (2nd), and Mark Crompton (3rd)

• Non-Boating Division: Ben Oakes (1st), Ruan Vanderberg (2nd), and Michael Saot (3rd)

From jerkbaits and sprats to mussel vibes, baby vibes, and finesse presentations, the stories highlight how subtle adjustments and sheer persistence made all the difference. Whether it was long casts with stick minnows, twitching Noris laydown minnows across wind-blown flats, or dragging Z-Man craws along the bottom, each angler found a different way to unlock fish.

There are also some great personal reflections—Ruan revisits his early days on the show, Rob discusses guiding on the Blackwood, and Mark shares how one turned belly-up fish possibly cost him the win. It’s a great reminder of how small margins often define tournament results.

🎣 Join the Bream Fishing Project Collective If you want to learn more between comps, consider joining The Bream Fishing Project Collective. Members get early access to episodes, exclusive live streams, and take part in lure-specific challenges aimed at helping you improve your results on the water. 👉 breamfishingproject.supercast.com

🎣 The Monthly Report – June 2025

Welcome back to The Bream Fishing Project! In this packed June edition of the Monthly Report, Andrew is joined once again by Brett Geddes for a wide-ranging and insight-rich conversation. From competition recaps to deep dives into tackle, tactics, and Collective breakthroughs — this episode is full of value for serious bream anglers.

We cover:

• Tournament updates from Foster, Georges River, Lake Macquarie, Nelson, Peel Inlet, and more

• East Coast Bream Series recap

• Lure-specific discussions: crabs, mussels, baby vibes, and prawns

• Big fish stories (including a 91cm flathead on 4lb leader)

• Tech talk: forward-facing sonar, side imaging, sounder insights

• Collective highlights and lessons learned from shared experimentation

• Brett’s milestone: 1,000+ bream caught so far in 2025

• A tribute to Brett’s father and the joy of multi-generational fishing trips

🎁 Subscriber Giveaway Two Force Lures prize packs are up for grabs — one for new subscribers and another exclusively for members of The Bream Fishing Project Collective. Sign up now to be included in the draw!

🧠 Join the Collective Take your fishing to the next level. Be part of our lure-specific challenges, live-streamed mastermind sessions, and early episode access. 👉 Join now at: breamfishingproject.supercast.com

📺 Watch + Subscribe on YouTube Want to see the lures, rigging tips, and on-screen tackle chat? Watch the full Monthly Report episode on YouTube. 📢 Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button on our channel to get all the latest fishing interviews, breakdowns, and gear reviews! 👉 youtube.com/@thebreamfishingproject

🐟 Featured Brands & Gear:

• Outback Breamer Baits – Makers of “The Muss” and “Lil Muss,” tournament-proven mussel imitation lures designed in WA. 🌐 outbackbreamerbaits.com

• Blue Lip Baits – Joey’s handcrafted mussels and chin weights, perfect for finesse fishing and deep presentations.

• Force Lures – Known for the Spider Crab, a standout performer in the Collective’s mussel & crab challenge.

• Chasebaits – The Chasebaits Junior 65mm soft plastic is proving lethal on bream and perch.

• Pro Lure – Featuring Prey Minnows and the new Ultra Gar, plus the 220mm version for offshore action.

• Burley Pro – Kayak accessories to optimize your time on the water.

🙌 Thanks for listening — don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, join The Collective, and subscribe on YouTube for more epic bream fishing content. Tight lines!

Jamie McKeown – 3-Time Australian Open Champion

Full Episode Description: In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, I’m joined by Jamie McKeown, who has just made history by becoming a three-time winner of the Daiwa BREAM Australian Open. With 15 fish for 10.405 kg across three days on Sydney Harbour, Jamie delivered one of the most consistent and hard-fought victories we’ve seen in years.

We go deep into: 🎣 His practice day strategy 🚤 How he broke down boat hull zones across the harbour 🦀 The lures that made the difference: Outback Breamer Baits Mini Muss, PML Claw Crab, ZipBaits Khamsin Tiny, and the all-new Samaki Redic 40 💡 Tuning tips, boat positioning, and bite windows 🧠 The mental game of chasing a win — including moments he thought he’d lost it

From Day 1 heartbreak to the winning bite on Day 3, Jamie shares everything: the gear, the thinking, and the hard-earned lessons that helped him come out on top once again.

👥 Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective Become part of the team. Get early access to episodes, exclusive bonus content, and join our lure-specific challenges designed to help you catch more fish. Each challenge focuses on one lure style over 4–6 weeks so we can all improve together. 👉 https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com

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2025 Daiwa BREAM Australian Open – Day 1 & 2 Deep Dive (feat. Tim Vickers & Steve Morgan)

In this first part of our two-episode special, The Bream Fishing Project takes you into the heart of the 2025 Daiwa BREAM Australian Open — one of Australia’s premier lure-only bream tournaments, fished across Sydney Harbour and launching from Drummoyne Sailing Club.

Host Andrew Death sets the tone with a sharp overview of the tournament structure, timing, and bite windows, before shifting gears into two of the most insightful, technical, and honest interviews you’ll hear all season.

We follow Tim Vickers’ incredible run across the first two days of competition. After a tough Day 1 plagued by dropped fish and difficult conditions, Tim rebounds on Day 2 with a huge 3.945 kg bag, rocketing up the leaderboard into third.

He walks us through:

• Fishing tight timber structure with 3lb straight-through and a 7’8” Daiwa Infeet rod

• How he managed fish that should have bricked him, using finesse gear, long rod angles, and clever boat control

• The bite patterns in Watsons Bay, Clifton Gardens, Shark Island, and Double Bay

• How lure colour, sink rate, and slack line presentation with the Pro Lure Hybrid Shrimp were absolutely critical

• Mental game under pressure, leaderboard strategy, and the decisions that shaped his comeback

Tim also gives a brilliant look at his setup, mindset, and a few missteps — including pushing a hot spot too hard on Day 2 that came back to bite him on Day 3.

Next, Steve Morgan jumps on for a full tournament recap, and it’s classic Steve — analytical, honest, and deeply tactical.

Steve dives into:

• His stick minnow-only strategy and why it dominated under calm, sunny, finesse conditions

• How he fished shallow moored boats with forward-facing sonar, presenting stick minnows with slack-line precision

• The specific Daiwa gear, lure modifications, and hook upgrades that turned lookers into biters

• Why he targeted eastern harbour over Parramatta River and how fish condition and location made a 150g per fish difference

• His Day 3 heroics, including landing a 38cm kicker in the final minutes to leapfrog into second place overall, justedging out Mario.

Steve also breaks down his tournament planning, mindset, tackle selection, and how he thinks brim fishing coverage should evolve — making this a must-listen for serious anglers.

This episode is packed with real tournament pressure, decision-making under fire, and gear breakdowns that you can apply straight to your own fishing. Whether you're here for the story or to sharpen your skills, this is one of the most in-depth episodes we’ve done.

🧢 Stay tuned for Part 2 — where we’ll catch up with the 2025 BREAM Australian Open Champion for a full breakdown of the win.

Join the Bream Fishing Project Collective to level up your tournament fishing: breamfishingproject.supercast.com

Big Bream and Big Stories on the Hawkesbury – Daiwa BREAM Series May 2025

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to the Hawkesbury River for the Daiwa BREAM Series, held over the weekend of May 3–4, 2025, with Bait Junkie as the proud round sponsor. It was a huge event with fast boats, heavy fuel bills, and some massive bream hitting the scales.

We catch up with the top three non-boaters: 🎣 Rodney O’Sullivan – 1st place with 4.965kg 🎣 Aaron Bonser – 2nd place with 4.215kg 🎣 Aaron Booby – 3rd place with 4.1kg

And the top three boaters: 🚤 Peter Breukel – 1st place with 8.59kg 🚤 Mark Crompton – 2nd place with 8.51kg 🚤 Mark Healey – 3rd place with 8.37kg

We break down how each angler approached the comp — from chasing bream in deep current with UV crabs, to working rock walls and oyster racks, to high-speed runs up to Spencer and beyond. There's plenty of insight into tackle choices, bite patterns, Active Target use, and the key decisions that led to podium finishes.

🎣 Plus, don’t forget we’re halfway through our Mussel & Crab Lure Challenge inside The Bream Fishing Project Collective. Our mid-session catch-up Zoom is on Wednesday, May 21 at 8 p.m., and if you’re not in the Collective yet, join now at 👉 breamfishingproject.supercast.com

Thanks again to our sponsors: HWS Hobie, fishin.com.au, Podium Marine Wraps, Bait Junkie, and all of our Collective supporters.