Fish dropping the hook - bream?

[TheMatt123]

Hi All,

Having a fish at sunset last night off sydney northern beaches and I've never had a more frustrating session - every cast something would show interest, a bite / run type interest, eventually I would strike and have the fish, reeling it in for maybe 10 seconds then BAM nothing and would wind in my de-baited hook or head of pilchard remaining. I this likely to be bream, how can I land them next time?

I ended up getting a medium sized bream later that session so for me that confirms it was most likely bream doing this - experience with Tailor / Salmon being they hit and stay hit until landed.

[SquibblyDibbly]

The curse of the tiny bream..

Switching to a smaller hook and using pippi or peeled prawn may help you hook whatever the smaller nibblers are. At least you could find out what they are. I've also found a slow wind in can sometimes help you hook up when there is a lot of competition for your bait.

[TheMatt123]

I'm not sure they were small though, quite a lot of force in the initial hook-up then dropped. Good call on the smaller hook.

[Green Hornet]

I have a spot that's notorious for this and bream are the culprits, good size fish too.

Generally I catch one, then exactly what you describe happens and no matter how long or how much line you give them, they mouth, run and drop the bait. I use cut crab, so won’t come off the hook as easy as your pilchard.

I've has some success dropping to a smaller hook and bait, as well as changing the type of bait I'm using.

A bit of berley definitely helps, as does waiting for it to get totally dark.

Edited November 15, 2020 by Green Hornet

[Rebel]

Small circle hook is the go and try cooked shelled prawn.

Cheers.

[Pafisho08]

Circle hook size 1 or 1/0 Owner is the go and chicken thigh small pieces marinated in garlic & parmesan cheese .Do not set the hook only wind in on rod loaded up .

Bob