A stocky, silver body with 4-5 horizontal rows of scales above lateral line. An olive brown upper body and brown to black fins. Black bream have a mouth adapted to crushing shellfish and include upper and lower peg-like incisor teeth and a series of upper and lower molars.

Black bream are distinctly similar to yellowfin bream however they are not the same species and are usually darker in colour. Larger specimens often develop a blue tinge to the nose area hence the nickname ‘blue-nose’.

Other names

Bream, Southern Black Bream, Blue Nose Bream, Gippsland bream, Golden Bream, Southern Bream

Common size

15-35cm

Related species

Yellowfin bream, Tarwhine (Silver bream), Snapper

Lifespan

Around 29 years

Habitat

Black bream prefer to reside around structure such as fallen trees (snags), rock bars, mangroves, pylons, oyster leases, seagrass, boat ramps and deep holes.

Reproduction

Reaches maturity at approximately 15-20cm and 2-5 years.

Diet

Mussels, barnacles, tubeworms, crabs, bloodworms, squirtworms, nippers (ghost shrimp), cockles, prawns, small fish and vegetation.

Pound for pound

Bream provide fantastic sport fishing on light tackle and are capable of big bust-offs around structure such as snags, rocks and oyster leases. Don’t be fooled, these little guys can bring a grown man to his knees in comps or when another expensive lure gets towed home.

Catch care

Dispatch your fish humanely and immediately after capture. Keep out of sunlight in a wet hessian bag (or similar), ice esky or an ice slurry for up to a few hours and refrigerates as soon as practicably possible. Most legal-sized fish are >10yrs old so consciously limit your catch not catch your limit.

Information courtesy of Danny Weaver, Gold Coast QLD and Department of Fisheries WA.

Share this...

Where to fish

Black bream are endemic to coastal rivers and estuaries from Myall Lake NSW and South around to the Murchison River in WA, including Tasmania and Flinders and Kangaroo Islands. They spend their entire life within the estuary and prefer to reside in and around structure so when targeting them focus on areas such as fallen trees (snags), rock bars, mangroves, pylons, oyster leases, breakwalls, boat ramps and deep holes.

How to target

Black bream can be targeted from the shore or by boat, either way for better results it pays to fish close to structure. A reliable approach is to flick lures or lightly weighted baits in amongst fallen trees in the upper parts of estuaries, or around any other structure for that matter. They are a tough contender so in this scenario a firm drag setting and abrasion resistant leader will see you land better quality fish. Black bream also respond well to berley so if you prefer a passive approach throw a berley bag in the water and bring the fish to you.

Rod & Reel

A light to medium outfit consisting of a 6′-7′ carbon fibre or graphite rod in the 2-6kg range paired with a light threadline reel in the 1000-3000 size range.

Line & Leader

Braided (preferred) or monofilament mainline in the 2-6lb range with a 4-10lb fluorocarbon leader. Fish heavier leader in the snags if bust-offs are frequent.

Terminal Tackle

• Hook: Size 2 to 3/0. Anything will work. Mustad Viking 540 or Gamakatsu Octopus style will suit most applications

• Sinker: Limit weight as much as possible or fish unweighted if conditions allow.

• Trebles: Decoy YS 25’s, Owner ST-11’s, or VMC.

• Jighead: 1/32 – 1/4 oz to suit depth.

Best Lures

Popular bream lures include Jackall chubbies, Berkley gulp plastics, Squidgie plastics, Ecogear blades, vibes, small diving minnows, etc.

Best Bait

Good baits include nippers (ghost shrimp), prawns, pilchards, small strip/fillet baits, crabs, bread, pippies, beach worms & blood worms.

Hints and tips

Black bream are generally caught in estuarine habitats in the southern half of the country. They can be taken on a wide range of bait offerings and make great sport when targeted on lure with light outfits, especially in amongst the snags.

• Bream can be finicky and like a slow-sinking bait or lure. When lure fishing allow 3-5 seconds between twitching, hopping or slow rolling.

• When using fleshy baits try tweaking/bending the point of your hook outwards with pliers for a better strike rate.

• When using bait or plastics use minimum weight to keep you in the strike zone longer.

• Berleying is a good way to bring Black bream to you and keep them interested for longer. A good mix of chook pellets, bread, tuna oil, old pilchards/fish baits or crustacean shells will do the trick.

Rigging for luring

The trend amongst anglers targeting Black bream on lure would have to be braided line but monofilament also has it’s advantages. Attach the mainline to a 1-2m fluorocarbon or monofilament (for surface luring) leader with a joining knot such as an Albright or Double Uni. Attach the leader to the lure with a loop knot such as a Lefty’s Loop, Perfection Loop or Rapala Knot. This will optimise its action and allow the lure to swim freely in the water.

Rigging for bait fishing

When fishing with bait use as little weight as possible. In some situations no lead is possible which is a great way to present ‘drift’ baits down the burley trail. Hook to mainline as follows: Tie hook to fluorocarbon leader with a double-blood knot or other standard knot. If using weight insert a running sinker onto the leader now. Connect leader to mainline using a Double uni or other joining knot, or alternatively use a swivel to reduce line twist particularly when fishing with monofilament line.

Information courtesy of Danny Weaver, Gold Coast QLD

Share this...

Black bream are endemic to coastal rivers and estuaries throughout the southern half of Australia from Myall Lake NSW to the Murchison River WA, including Tasmania and Flinders and Kangaroo Islands. While Black bream populations are closely related they actually vary genetically between river systems and spend almost their entire life cycle within the confines of their estuary environment.

Share this...

3 stars. Black Bream are a great table fish that can be caught all months of the year. Fish <30cm provide a low yield and are better released back into the environment. The flesh is firm and white and for this reason they are a commercially sought after species. Leave a night in the fridge to allow flesh to firm before filleting. Bream are fantastic baked whole in the oven or on the BBQ, battered, crumbed, grilled, steamed or roasted.

Share this...