Journal
Calm lake with two ducks swimming, a swan in the distance, trees and small village buildings along the shoreline under a blue sky

Practical how-to guides, rigs, baits and tackle advice from an angler sharing what he's learned on rivers, lakes and canals across the UK.

Start With Beginner Tips

New to coarse fishing? Browse guides on rigs, baits, floats and pole techniques written from hands-on experience.

See Recommended Gear

Feeder fishing for bream in slow summer rivers

Summer in Australia brings long evenings and warm water, perfect for targeting bream in the gentler stretches of rivers. Whether you're fishing a tidal flat in the Hawkesbury or a quiet bend in the Murray, bream respond well to a steady stream of bait and a well-presented feeder rig. The method has crossed over from UK coarse fishing circles, where anglers have long used it for tench and bream, and it suits our local species just as well.

Many Aussie anglers associate bream with lures and soft plastics, but a small method feeder loaded with berley and a hookbait can be deadly when fish are sulking in deeper holes. In summer heat, bream often drop back from the shallows and hold near structure, waiting for a meal to drift past. A feeder rig keeps your bait on the bottom where they want it.

This piece covers reading the water, choosing gear that suits local conditions, mixing bait bream can't resist, building a reliable rig, and working the swim through the session. Whether you're new to feeder fishing or adapting your approach for native bream, there's something here to help you catch.

Reading the river and finding bream in summer

Summer bream are rarely far from cover. Look for overhanging trees, submerged timber, or rocky outcrops where the current slows. In a gentle river, the inside of bends often holds slightly deeper water with a soft bottom, ideal for feeder work. Clams or mussels on the bottom indicate a natural food source.

On tidal systems like the Shoalhaven or the upper reaches of coastal rivers, bream move with the tide. Plan your session around the last two hours of the rising tide or the first of the falling tide, when fish move onto the feed. If you're fishing a landlocked impoundment, target the windward bank where warmer surface water pushes plankton and insects toward shore.

Choosing the right feeder gear for Aussie waters

A small method feeder or pellet feeder weighing 20g to 30g is plenty for most gentle rivers. Avoid going too heavy; you want the feeder to hold bottom but not snag every cast. A 9ft or 10ft feeder rod with a soft quiver tip is ideal for detecting the tentative bites bream give.

For mainline, 6lb braid or mono works well. Bream have thick lips and rarely snap you off, but a short hooklength of 4lb fluorocarbon helps present the bait naturally and avoids line-shy fish in clear summer water. Many Aussie tackle shops stock specific feeder rods from brands like Daiwa or Shimano, or you can grab a budget setup from BCF or Tackle World to get started.

Baits and groundbait mixes that work down under

Bream are opportunistic feeders. While not a traditional coarse bait, maggots and small earthworms work well, and most tackle shops sell them by the pint. For a more local approach, try peeled yabby tails or small strips of chicken breast cooked in the microwave until firm.

For the feeder, use a sticky groundbait mix. Brown breadcrumb-based mixes bind well and break down slowly in the current. Add crushed hempseeds or a handful of micro pellets for scent. In Australian conditions, a pinch of curry powder or a splash of fish oil can give the berley an edge, as bream love strong-smelling, protein-rich food.

Rig construction and hooklength choices

The simplest set-up is a bait-on-the-hook tied to a short hooklength. Bream have small mouths compared to carp, so use size 10 to 14 hooks. Keep the hooklength around 10cm so the bait sits close to the feeder where bream feed.

For the main rig, use a running ledger with a bead to protect the knot from the feeder weight. A quick-change bead allows you to swap feeders without re-tying. If you're new to tying feeder rigs, this feeder rig setup guide walks through the steps clearly with diagrams to help you get it right first time.

Casting, feeding, and working the swim

Accuracy matters more than distance. Cast to the same spot each time, just beyond the area you want to fish, and let the feeder settle. Bream are shoal fish, so once you've drawn one, others follow.

Re-cast every five to ten minutes to keep a steady trail of feed going. If bites dry up after 20 minutes, try moving a few metres downstream or upstream. In summer, bream can move high in the water on warm afternoons, but for feeder fishing keep the bait on or near the bottom where the feeder sits.

Playing and landing summer bream

Once you hook a bream, keep the rod tip up and let the drag do the work. Don't rush them; bream use their broad flanks to fight the current. Use a landing net with soft mesh to avoid damaging their slime coat if you plan to release them.

In warmer months, handle fish quickly and get them back in the water. Wet your hands before lifting them and avoid squeezing. A quick photo with the fish in the water is best for the fish.

Essential tackle and bait checklist

Pick up a couple of pints of maggots from your local tackle shop on the way to the river. If you haven't fished a particular stretch before, spend ten minutes watching the water before casting; the time spent reading the river pays off in more bites.