How To Target Big Bream In The Onk

[Fishingmad 306]

Hi guys, thought i should kick off the bream competition with my favourite ways to target big bream in the onkaparinga river. 

 

My three favourite methods (in order) are:

-Baits

-Trolling 

-Flicking lures

 

Over the last month or so i have been fortunate enough to venture to the onk a few times a week targeting the big breeders as they are heading upstream and i have yielded some fantastic results with 4 over 40cm in the last few sessions. Now that most have moved up to breed i thought i would share some tips of how to target the skittish onk bream.

 

Baiting:

 

This is my preferred method for targeting the big bream although allot of the time you seem to be feeding the tiny mullet and salmon trout. My favourite bait would have to be half fillets of the freshest pilchard you can get your hands on. A benefit with this bait is that you also have a strong likelihood of getting a mulloway as by catch. My rig consists of 5lb braid for mainline with a 6 lb flurocarbon leader. I use a size 0 ball sinker, small black magic swivel with around 50cm of trace until i get to the hook. There are 2 hooks i like to use, if i'm using the rod holder ill use a black magic KL 1/0 circle hook, while if i'm holding the rod ill use a mustad size 4 longshank baitholder. I have found that the flurocarbon leader, light sinker weight and a baitrunner reel have increased my catch rate of these big bream ten fold. In the winter ill head more upstream around the pilons/old noarlunga area, while in summer my favourite spot would be the flats around the mouth. For the flats i prefer live beachworms or nippers for bait. I have also found upgrading to a graphite rod with a soft tip has increased my catch rate due to the better sensitivity. The best time to be targeting bream is on dusk on a strong incoming tide.

 

 

 

 

Trolling:

 

Since getting my kayak i have discovered a whole new joy to fishing. Trolling lures through the onk can be an absolute blast and just as effective as bait at times. After trying plenty of hard bodies in this system my absolute number one has to go to the ecogear sx 40 in 351 with the jackall chubby a close second. My personal best bream on this lure is 36cm, not a monster by any means but not bad for a novice lure angler. By catch using this method includes flathead, salmon trout, mullet, mulloway, YFW, KGW and i've even scored a garfish! A benefit of this technique over flicking is that your lure is spending more time in the water and your not battling the current. If you have a kayak id strongly suggest trying your luck at trolling a few lures through the onk.

 

 

Flicking Lures:

 

This technique i have found more efficient toward the mouth personally but plenty of other anglers still have success further upstream.My favourite plastic to use is the Gulp! 2" camo worm. When slowly worked along the borrom it is deadly on big bream and numerous other species such as YFW. From behind the wooden playground right up to the mouth during the summertime is the best time to using this method. Fishing from the slack on low tide through the incoming has provided best results personally. The next plastic i like to use is the Zman 2.5" grubz in motor oil. once again worked slowly but with shrp lifts and a slow pause instead of a shuffle along the bottom. I rig both plastics on TT 1/16 jigheads aand sometimes even up to a 1/8 for the worms if the tide is really rushing. I also like using my hardbodies from the bank and if wearing polarised sunnies you can often see bream and sight cast right in front of their noses and watch them engulf the lures. Once again my favourite lure is the ecogear sx 40 but a selection of blades are also quite effective in the deeper regions. If your really keen you can have a go using surface lures, i myself haven't nailed a bream on one yet, but its great watching the salmon trout launch themselves out of the water to smash your lure! 

 

 

I hope this has helped some of you get onto the big bream lurking in the onk waters. If i have left something out or you need anything don't hesitate to pm me or make a post on my facebook page Onkaparinga River Fishers! 

 

 

 

[bjorn2fish 4,612]

That is a great write up! Very informative and making me wish I wasn't working at my computer today, damn you!!!

[Alexsfishin1 781]

Very informative write up! You definitely deserve to win!  

[HB tragic 743]

Informative read. Thank you for sharing. Regards, HBt.