Thread: need help from the bream experts

Lots of good tips in this forum. Read, read, read!

Originally Posted by Rambo

I remember catching big bream as a child but now it seems like they are harder to catch. Can you guys give me some tips on how to look for them and what to fish with. I live in Western Arkansas and want to get on some big bream. Thanks for any tips

If you don't fly Fish this is a great opportunity to learn. Get your self a fly fishing out fit and buy Floating Line. Buy a 7 1/2ft. Tapered leader in 3X strengh. Buy or make a floating spider pattern. Practice at home with your new fly pole. Them go fishing at one of your favorite ponds. If not interested in a fly pole, I would suggest a clear bobber to fish with your spinning outfit. Place bobber above fly around to foot. Your spider will be floating. Throw in and twitch your bobber with a little movement. The fly should make a little movement which will attract the fish. Size 14 is a good spider size for Brim. Good luck. post a pic of your catch. Me over 50 years of experience.

We fish with nightcrawler under a bobber, but it is a mixed bag of big`uns and little ones
Spring spawn is the best time to catch the big bream, we caught some 11" shellcrackers last weekend , couple of 10 " bluegills..........

This week during the spawn I use worms all the time. Tie hook 18 " above end of line and then put split shot on end of line. Experiment on what size shot to use. I put multiple sizes on end until I get the weight like I want it. This drop shot rig keeps the bait off the bottom and out of moss. Do not use a float, just keep slack out of line and you can feel the bite. If you get hung up, many times the slip shot will pull off, then you just put new one on. I hope this helps. The majority of fish caught are large, not as many dinks. My wife uses a bobber and does not catch near as many redear as I do.

Originally Posted by Pat

We fish with nightcrawler under a bobber, but it is a mixed bag of big`uns and little ones
Spring spawn is the best time to catch the big bream, we caught some 11" shellcrackers last weekend , couple of 10 " bluegills..........

Pat, how much do you estimate a 10" bluegill would weigh? I caught one the other day, had a ruler, but no scales, I released it. I don't think I'd caught a 10" bluegill but maybe 3 or 4 times in my life, but have caught shellcrackers 10" or more a few times.

Rambo, I've caught bream on just about anything except for bass spinnerbaits. They'll hit roostertails, small spoons, small rattletraps, crankbaits, worms, crawlers, grasshoppers, minnows (bream are bad for stealing minnows or killing them}, I've even caught them on 5" Rapalas on 6" plastic worms fishing for bass. I like to use tiny leadheads, about 1/32 oz and put a 1" or 1-1/2" plastic twistertails, they're cheap. Two of my favorite baits if bream are surface feeding is the Rebel crankbaits in the smallest size, two in particular-the 1-1/2" Rebel crawfish and the 1-1/2" Rebel grasshoper. I don't think I've ever used crickets as bait in my life, but as the economy being so unstable, they're probably about the cheapest live bait available, I may start.

You first must locate waters which grow big Bream. Not all lakes have large pan fish. The Arkansas Game & Fish lakes usually are a good bet. Ouachita Lake has some dandies. Ask around on the Arkansas threads.

use light line-6lb or so -a small long shank hook-a slim wieghted bobber that you can get a walmart and the best bait for me is definetly a cricket or a grub.
u can usually dig up grubs or find them near sawdust. they are a bluegills delight.
and try to find some type of structure near the shore-a fallen tree or weedline.
the key is to start out fishing further out from the bank then work your way into the shoreline'until you find them. the biggest mistake that people makke is they seem to fish to far out from the shoreline when the bream are right under their eyes near a weedline or fallen tree and look for spawning beds using a good pair of sunglasses, best of luck-always tryto cast past your intended target and reel into the strike zone also as to not scare the fish.

Yes, a grubworm will catch bluegill, so will catalpa worms.