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The Art Of Fishing Hard Bodies For Big Bream
The morning mist lay thick over the estuary, softening the light as the sun rose slowly over the water. In the quiet of dawn, the art of fishing hard-bodied lures for big bream truly comes alive. For seasoned anglers and those just venturing into the craft, hard-bodied lures offer a challenging but deeply rewarding method for targeting big, wary bream. These elusive, often hard-fighting fish present a unique test of skill, patience, and technique, especially when trying to tempt them with hard-bodied lures.
For those unfamiliar, hard-bodied lures are rigid, typically crafted from plastic or wood, and are designed to imitate the movement and appearance of bream’s natural prey, such as small fish, prawns, and crustaceans. Unlike soft plastics, which are flexible and usually jigged, hard-bodied lures are built with precise detailing and often have intricate designs that make them look and move like real prey in the water. Fishing with these lures is an art, and getting it right requires choosing the right size, color, and type, as well as developing the techniques to make them swim convincingly. Here’s a journey into the nuances of fishing hard-bodied lures for big bream, from selecting the right lure to the techniques that maximize your chances of hooking a trophy fish.
Choosing the Right Lure Size for Bream
Size is one of the most critical factors when selecting a hard-bodied lure for big bream. Bream have relatively small mouths, so choosing a lure that fits their feeding habits is crucial. Most experienced anglers recommend keeping the lure size between **30mm and 60mm**. Lures on the smaller end, around 30-40mm, are ideal for cautious or finicky bream, especially in pressured waters where bream may be more hesitant. Smaller lures are often better for mimicking prawns and small baitfish, which bream naturally feed on.
On the other hand, larger lures, around 50-60mm, can be effective for targeting bigger bream that are often more aggressive and territorial. Larger bream tend to strike at slightly bigger prey and will occasionally target something larger if it enters their space. A 50-60mm lure provides more flash and movement, potentially drawing the attention of a big bream hiding in cover. However, fishing with larger lures does require a certain finesse, as big bream are still wary and won’t always rush at a large lure unless it looks entirely natural.
Types of Hard-Bodied Lures for Bream
Hard-bodied lures come in a range of styles, each with its own unique movement and appeal. Crankbaits, for example, are some of the most popular choices for bream fishing. These lures have a short, wide body and are equipped with a small bib, allowing them to dive quickly and create a wobbling action. **Shallow-diving crankbaits** are excellent for fishing in flats or shallow water, where bream often feed in the early morning. **Deep-diving crankbaits** are better suited to deeper channels, especially during warmer parts of the day when bream retreat to cooler, deeper waters.
Another great option is jerkbaits longer, more slender hard-bodied lures that have a darting action when jerked through the water. These lures are particularly effective in open water or near structure, like fallen trees or rock walls, as their erratic movement can trigger aggressive strikes from bream. While jerkbaits are slightly less common than crankbaits for bream, they can be especially useful for experienced anglers who are comfortable with techniques that require rhythm and timing.
Surface lures, like poppers and walk-the-dog lures, are exciting choices for targeting bream in shallow areas or around structure, particularly at dawn or dusk. Surface fishing is all about thrilling visual strikes, as you get to watch the bream rise to the surface to attack the lure. Though bream can be cautious, well-placed surface lures can sometimes provoke them into a reaction bite, especially in low-light conditions when they’re feeling more adventurous. Using a surface lure requires a lot of patience, as you’re often watching the lure and waiting for any sign of movement below, but the adrenaline rush of a surface strike makes it well worth the effort.
Cost of Hard-Bodied Lures
Quality hard-bodied lures aren’t cheap. For bream fishing, most anglers invest in lures that fall in the $10 to $30 range per lure, though some high-end, handmade lures can reach up to $50 or more. The cost is often reflective of the quality and craftsmanship, with more expensive lures offering better durability, realistic detailing, and reliable movement in the water.
While the price may seem high, it’s important to consider the durability and effectiveness of these lures. A well-crafted lure can last for multiple seasons if taken care of properly. However, due to the nature of bream fishing around structure, it’s not uncommon to lose a lure or two to snags. For this reason, many anglers build their collection gradually, often starting with a few versatile, high-quality lures and expanding as they become more comfortable with the style and techniques of hard-bodied fishing.
The Art of Presenting Hard-Bodied Lures
The presentation is everything when fishing with hard-bodied lures. Big bream are not easily fooled and will carefully observe a lure before deciding to strike. To mimic natural movement, the retrieve needs to match the behavior of the prey you’re imitating. For crankbaits, a slow and steady retrieve is often best, allowing the lure’s natural wobble to do the work. Occasionally pausing or twitching the lure can also trigger bites, as bream often strike when the lure appears vulnerable or stationary.
With jerkbaits, a twitch-and-pause retrieve is most effective. Cast the lure and let it settle, then use short, sharp jerks to make it dart through the water, followed by a brief pause. This erratic movement resembles a startled baitfish and can provoke bream into striking. The key is to vary the pauses and jerks to keep the movement unpredictable, as bream are quick to recognize unnatural rhythms. This technique requires practice and timing, but it can be highly effective for triggering a reaction bite.
Fishing with surface lures requires a different approach. Surface lures are best retrieved slowly, with subtle twitches to create ripples or splashes. Patience is essential, as surface strikes are often less frequent but incredibly rewarding when they do happen. Watch the water closely as you retrieve, and be prepared for explosive strikes as bream rise to hit the lure. The best times for surface fishing are early in the morning or late in the evening when the water is calm and bream are actively foraging.
Tackle Setup for Hard-Bodied Lures
The right tackle setup can make all the difference when fishing with hard-bodied lures for bream. A light to medium-light spinning rod with a length of around 7 feet is ideal. This length allows for accurate casting and enough sensitivity to detect subtle bites. Bream can be quick to bite and release, so a rod with a responsive tip will help you feel the moment a bream investigates the lure. Look for a rod in the 1-3kg or 2-4kg range, as this provides the right balance of sensitivity and power.
A 1000 to 2500 size spinning reel is generally sufficient for bream fishing, paired with a 6-8lb braided mainline for sensitivity and strength. Braided line has minimal stretch, which is ideal for detecting light bites, especially at a distance. Pair the braid with a 4-8lb fluorocarbon leader around 1 to 1.5 meters long, as this will help reduce visibility and protect against the abrasive environments where bream are often found.
Patience, Practice, and Persistence
The art of fishing hard-bodied lures for big bream requires more than just the right gear; it demands patience, practice, and persistence. Bream fishing with hard-bodied lures is as much about skill as it is about luck. Learning to read the water, understanding bream behavior, and mastering the subtle nuances of lure presentation all take time and dedication. But for those willing to put in the effort, the rewards can be substantial. Big bream are not only challenging to catch but also incredibly satisfying, and each successful hookup is a testament to the angler’s finesse and determination.
Over time, many anglers come to appreciate the artistry of hard-bodied lure fishing as more than just a technique—it becomes a personal style, a rhythm of casting and retrieving that, when perfected, turns an ordinary fishing trip into a memorable pursuit. Whether you’re slowly twitching a jerkbait along a rock wall or watching a surface lure for any hint of movement below, the experience of fishing with hard-bodied lures for big bream offers a deeper, more connected form of angling, where every cast holds the possibility of a truly memorable catch. And, for those who love the challenge, this art is a journey worth every cast, snag, and success along the way.
For those unfamiliar, hard-bodied lures are rigid, typically crafted from plastic or wood, and are designed to imitate the movement and appearance of bream’s natural prey, such as small fish, prawns, and crustaceans. Unlike soft plastics, which are flexible and usually jigged, hard-bodied lures are built with precise detailing and often have intricate designs that make them look and move like real prey in the water. Fishing with these lures is an art, and getting it right requires choosing the right size, color, and type, as well as developing the techniques to make them swim convincingly. Here’s a journey into the nuances of fishing hard-bodied lures for big bream, from selecting the right lure to the techniques that maximize your chances of hooking a trophy fish.
Choosing the Right Lure Size for Bream
Size is one of the most critical factors when selecting a hard-bodied lure for big bream. Bream have relatively small mouths, so choosing a lure that fits their feeding habits is crucial. Most experienced anglers recommend keeping the lure size between **30mm and 60mm**. Lures on the smaller end, around 30-40mm, are ideal for cautious or finicky bream, especially in pressured waters where bream may be more hesitant. Smaller lures are often better for mimicking prawns and small baitfish, which bream naturally feed on.
On the other hand, larger lures, around 50-60mm, can be effective for targeting bigger bream that are often more aggressive and territorial. Larger bream tend to strike at slightly bigger prey and will occasionally target something larger if it enters their space. A 50-60mm lure provides more flash and movement, potentially drawing the attention of a big bream hiding in cover. However, fishing with larger lures does require a certain finesse, as big bream are still wary and won’t always rush at a large lure unless it looks entirely natural.
Types of Hard-Bodied Lures for Bream
Hard-bodied lures come in a range of styles, each with its own unique movement and appeal. Crankbaits, for example, are some of the most popular choices for bream fishing. These lures have a short, wide body and are equipped with a small bib, allowing them to dive quickly and create a wobbling action. **Shallow-diving crankbaits** are excellent for fishing in flats or shallow water, where bream often feed in the early morning. **Deep-diving crankbaits** are better suited to deeper channels, especially during warmer parts of the day when bream retreat to cooler, deeper waters.
Another great option is jerkbaits longer, more slender hard-bodied lures that have a darting action when jerked through the water. These lures are particularly effective in open water or near structure, like fallen trees or rock walls, as their erratic movement can trigger aggressive strikes from bream. While jerkbaits are slightly less common than crankbaits for bream, they can be especially useful for experienced anglers who are comfortable with techniques that require rhythm and timing.
Surface lures, like poppers and walk-the-dog lures, are exciting choices for targeting bream in shallow areas or around structure, particularly at dawn or dusk. Surface fishing is all about thrilling visual strikes, as you get to watch the bream rise to the surface to attack the lure. Though bream can be cautious, well-placed surface lures can sometimes provoke them into a reaction bite, especially in low-light conditions when they’re feeling more adventurous. Using a surface lure requires a lot of patience, as you’re often watching the lure and waiting for any sign of movement below, but the adrenaline rush of a surface strike makes it well worth the effort.
Cost of Hard-Bodied Lures
Quality hard-bodied lures aren’t cheap. For bream fishing, most anglers invest in lures that fall in the $10 to $30 range per lure, though some high-end, handmade lures can reach up to $50 or more. The cost is often reflective of the quality and craftsmanship, with more expensive lures offering better durability, realistic detailing, and reliable movement in the water.
While the price may seem high, it’s important to consider the durability and effectiveness of these lures. A well-crafted lure can last for multiple seasons if taken care of properly. However, due to the nature of bream fishing around structure, it’s not uncommon to lose a lure or two to snags. For this reason, many anglers build their collection gradually, often starting with a few versatile, high-quality lures and expanding as they become more comfortable with the style and techniques of hard-bodied fishing.
The Art of Presenting Hard-Bodied Lures
The presentation is everything when fishing with hard-bodied lures. Big bream are not easily fooled and will carefully observe a lure before deciding to strike. To mimic natural movement, the retrieve needs to match the behavior of the prey you’re imitating. For crankbaits, a slow and steady retrieve is often best, allowing the lure’s natural wobble to do the work. Occasionally pausing or twitching the lure can also trigger bites, as bream often strike when the lure appears vulnerable or stationary.
With jerkbaits, a twitch-and-pause retrieve is most effective. Cast the lure and let it settle, then use short, sharp jerks to make it dart through the water, followed by a brief pause. This erratic movement resembles a startled baitfish and can provoke bream into striking. The key is to vary the pauses and jerks to keep the movement unpredictable, as bream are quick to recognize unnatural rhythms. This technique requires practice and timing, but it can be highly effective for triggering a reaction bite.
Fishing with surface lures requires a different approach. Surface lures are best retrieved slowly, with subtle twitches to create ripples or splashes. Patience is essential, as surface strikes are often less frequent but incredibly rewarding when they do happen. Watch the water closely as you retrieve, and be prepared for explosive strikes as bream rise to hit the lure. The best times for surface fishing are early in the morning or late in the evening when the water is calm and bream are actively foraging.
Tackle Setup for Hard-Bodied Lures
The right tackle setup can make all the difference when fishing with hard-bodied lures for bream. A light to medium-light spinning rod with a length of around 7 feet is ideal. This length allows for accurate casting and enough sensitivity to detect subtle bites. Bream can be quick to bite and release, so a rod with a responsive tip will help you feel the moment a bream investigates the lure. Look for a rod in the 1-3kg or 2-4kg range, as this provides the right balance of sensitivity and power.
A 1000 to 2500 size spinning reel is generally sufficient for bream fishing, paired with a 6-8lb braided mainline for sensitivity and strength. Braided line has minimal stretch, which is ideal for detecting light bites, especially at a distance. Pair the braid with a 4-8lb fluorocarbon leader around 1 to 1.5 meters long, as this will help reduce visibility and protect against the abrasive environments where bream are often found.
Patience, Practice, and Persistence
The art of fishing hard-bodied lures for big bream requires more than just the right gear; it demands patience, practice, and persistence. Bream fishing with hard-bodied lures is as much about skill as it is about luck. Learning to read the water, understanding bream behavior, and mastering the subtle nuances of lure presentation all take time and dedication. But for those willing to put in the effort, the rewards can be substantial. Big bream are not only challenging to catch but also incredibly satisfying, and each successful hookup is a testament to the angler’s finesse and determination.
Over time, many anglers come to appreciate the artistry of hard-bodied lure fishing as more than just a technique—it becomes a personal style, a rhythm of casting and retrieving that, when perfected, turns an ordinary fishing trip into a memorable pursuit. Whether you’re slowly twitching a jerkbait along a rock wall or watching a surface lure for any hint of movement below, the experience of fishing with hard-bodied lures for big bream offers a deeper, more connected form of angling, where every cast holds the possibility of a truly memorable catch. And, for those who love the challenge, this art is a journey worth every cast, snag, and success along the way.
