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

👕 Limited Tournament Shirts Our official Bream Fishing Project tournament shirts are almost sold out — grab one while you still can.

📺 Watch the Full Video on YouTube Check out the full video version of this interview on our YouTube channel — including footage, visuals, and bonus content. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube to stay up to date: The Bream Fishing Project on YouTube

📸 Follow us on Instagram @thebreamfishingproject

💬 If you're enjoying the show, please share it with your mates or leave a quick review — it really helps us grow.

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.

Here’s a polished podcast episode description based on your transcript:

🎣 Vic Bream Classics 2025 – Club Marine East Gippsland Bream Classic Location: Gippsland Lakes Dates: March 22–23, 2025

This week on The Bream Fishing Project, we head to Gippsland Lakes for the Club Marine East Gippsland, Round 1 of the Vic Bream Classics 2025 series — and what a cracking round it was!

With Gippsland Lakes absolutely firing, we break down an epic weekend of bream fishing, from record bags to monster upgrades and wild rides in the straits. Hear from the top three teams:

• 🥇 Team Zero Technique (Josh Jeffery & Connor Jackson): The new kids on the block stormed to victory with an incredible 6.86kg day-one bag and a 410g win margin — despite a late penalty scare!

• 🥈 Team Lowrance/Miller Rods (Paul Malov & Alex Franchuk ): Two second-place finishes in a row for these seasoned anglers, who share their tactics, heartbreak losses, and 21-rod tournament setups.

• 🥉 Team Samurai Rods (Dan Mackrell & Declan Betts): From 25th to 3rd with a huge 6.54kg day two bag — the guys dive deep into the strategy behind their comeback and the moment it all turned.

Along the way, you’ll hear how baby flathead, elephant pants, and mid-comp dance moves all played a part in this action-packed round.

💬 Plus, stay tuned for tide and bite period data, lure selections, structure breakdowns, and an interesting discussion on how rod selection might be the key to landing big bream in gnarly snags.

🎧 Want more like this — and early access to episodes, exclusive content, and monthly live streams?

👉 Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective: https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com

🎁 New subscribers go into the draw for a Force Lures prize pack — odds are great, so sign up today!

👉 https://forcelures.com.au

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to the Glenelg River for the Bream Master South Australia round, held on March 22–23, 2025. This round was a Hobie qualifying event and delivered an incredibly tight finish, with just 50 grams separating second through sixth place. Join Andrew as he interviews the top three anglers — Kobe Rothel, Dylan Pace, and Sean Pearson — for a deep dive into their winning strategies, techniques, and bait choices.

Kobe Rothel shares how he cracked over 5kg using mussel-style presentations, while Dylan Pace reflects on a rollercoaster weekend full of long river runs, lost kilo fish, and a strong Day 2 comeback. Sean Pearson discusses transitioning from surface lures in pre-fish to a deeper bite during competition and explains how subtle rigging and lure changes helped secure his third-place finish.

We also break down the bite periods, tides, and environmental changes that made this event unique — plus a quick mention of the Australian Open wrapping up and the launch of our latest Collective Challenge: Crabs and Mussels.

Brands and lures mentioned in this episode include:

• Outback Breamer Baits – including the highly effective mussel presentations

• Gladiator Tackle

• Force Lures

• Fishin.com.au – source of the popular Baby Vibe

• Hurricane Lures

• Find them on Facebook – Blue Lip Baits

💬 Want to be part of the Collective Challenge and access exclusive member giveaways (like the Force Lures pack)? Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective: 👉 https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com

Thanks for listening — don’t forget to rate, follow, and share if you’re enjoying the show!

🎣 May 2025 Monthly Report with Brett Geddes – Mussel Lures, Micro Vibes & Unique Techniques

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, Andrew Death is joined by regular guest Brett Geddes to discuss the latest in bream fishing across Australia. They touch on upcoming competitions around the country and delve into the effectiveness of various lures, including mussel and crab imitations, baby vibes, and micro blades.

Highlights from the episode include:

• Outback Breamer Baits' Mussel Vibe: A standout performer this season, these lures have proven effective in various conditions. Explore their range here

• Gladiator Tackle: Known for their quality and innovation, their range of lures and accessories are tailored for Australian conditions. Check out their products

• Force Lures: Offering a variety of lures designed to appeal to a wide array of fish species, these are versatile tools for any angler. Discover more

• Fishin.com.au: Your one-stop online shop for a vast selection of fishing gear, from lures to rods, catering to all your angling needs. Browse their extensive catalog

• Hurricane Lures: Specializing in bream lures, their products are designed for Australian conditions. View their offerings

• Blue Lip Baits: Find them on Facebook – Blue Lip Baits.

The episode also features shoutouts to impressive efforts by listeners: Mike from Tasmania and his creative blade technique, Nev's rapid rise on YouTube, and a look at how Collective members are embracing the current mussel lure challenge.

Special thanks to Outback Breamer Baits, Blue Lip Baits, Gladiator Tackle, Force Lures, Fishin.com.au, and Hurricane Lures for backing this month’s challenge and supporting The Bream Fishing Project Collective.

🎧 Join the Collective and get access to bonus episodes, live streams, and all past content at: https://breamfishingproject.supercast.com

This week on The Bream Fishing Project, we’re heading back to one of my favorite battlegrounds — the mighty Georges River — for Round 2 of the 2025 Action Fishing Tournaments!

The Georges threw plenty of challenges our way, but it also delivered some absolute magic for the anglers who cracked the code. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the day's conditions, a few insights from my own session, and then we dive into interviews with the top three anglers who lit it up when it mattered most.

Joshua Richards kicks things off with a gritty performance fishing out of a no-frills Hobie Outback — no sounder, no 180 drive, not even a paddle! He shares how simplicity and good decision-making carried him onto the podium.

Next up, Jamie Dempsey talks us through his climb to second place, revealing how he tuned his crankbaits to perfection, pulled crucial upgrades from boat hulls, and leaned on a perfectly balanced finesse setup to make it all happen.

And finally, Jason Reid caps off the episode with a wild story of landing a monster 45.5cm bream on 4lb leader after a heart-stopping battle around the pontoons — a fish that not only secured him first place but also Big Bream honors for the day.

You’ll hear about tackle choices, lure selections, tuning tricks, and some crazy moments that made all the difference. If you’re chasing your next PB or just love hearing how tournaments are won, you’ll love this one!

Plus, don’t miss the updates on the next Action Fishing Tournament rounds — including Redcliffe and Tuggerah Lakes — and a reminder that The Bream Fishing Project Collective is gearing up for our next live session on Wednesday, 30 April. Jump in now at breamfishingproject.supercast.com to be part of it!

Massive thanks to Joshua, Jamie, and Jason for sharing their stories — and congrats again on some seriously impressive fishing. Let’s dive into it!

In this episode of The Bream Fishing Project, we head to the mighty Bemm River for Round 2 of the 2025 Hobie Kayak Fishing Series, held on March 1st and 2nd. The fishing was fierce, the bite periods were tight, and the final results came down to just grams between podium places.

Join host Andrew Death as he recaps the weekend’s conditions, breaks down the tides and bite periods, and dives deep into full interviews with the top three finishers:

• 🥇 Joel Crosby – claiming his first win since 2015 with a razor-thin 60-gram margin

• 🥈 Joseph Gardner – the reigning Australian Champion, charging hard into second

• 🥉 Brad Clark – Big Brim winner and a standout performance at a tough venue

Hear how each angler approached the system, their lure choices, how the bite changed across the weekend, and the critical adjustments that made the difference.

🎣 Want to improve your fishing? Join The Bream Fishing Project Collective for early access to episodes, bonus content, and exclusive live streams. Our next members-only session is on Wednesday, 1st May — make sure you sign up by Monday night, 29th April to be part of it: 👉 breamfishingproject.supercast.com

🧢 Tournament shirts are still available – $50 plus postage. Message Andrew to grab yours while stocks last!

Thanks for listening, and see you on the water.