Episode Overview
This episode is the third in a six-part series put together by well-known kayak tournament champ Andrew Death in which he explores strategies for finding and catching XL bream with five gun tournament bream fishos and one passionate fisheries scientist.
Jason Meech
Jason is an accomplished kayak tournament bream specialist with a long string of podium placings since he began fishing the Hobie series in 2007, including a couple of shots at world titles in Australia and Texas. When he's not bream fishing he loves nothing more than chasing some trout or even luderick on fly.
Summary Of Jason's Interview
Jason's Preferred Locations For Catching XL Bream
- Jason prefers to fish shallow weedy and rocky edges.He is fishing from the waters edge up to 1m of water.
- If there has been or is no wind Jason is targeting darker weeds and bottoms. Jason believes that these areas can be warmer which is an advantage.
- During glassed out conditions he turns off all electronics.
- While the shallows are his preferred location, he will also fish oyster racks and in the areas behind the racks.
Jason's XL Bream Fishing Tackle
- Jason uses a braid to leader combination. His braid is usually a 6-10lb braid with a 4lb FC Rock fluorocarbon leader.
- Rods include: Messiah Custom Fishing Rod 8’6”, Smith Bayliner, Smith Trout and Spin, Samaki 7’6” flats rod Zing Extreme
- Jason is uses Shimano reels for their drag systems and slower line pick up.
Jason's XL Bream Lures
- Pro Lure S 36 shallow matt black with the red eye
- Smith Camion Shallow in black
- Aus Tackle Ranger in black
- Atomic Crank 38 deep
Jason's XL Bream Techniques
- Cast a Pro Lure s 36 shallow to the edges and allow the lure to sit for up to one minute. Jason will then draw the lure with his rod tip around 2’. Jason likes it when the lure catches weed. He will then use the rod to shake the lure off which can prod use a strike.
- Jason always tries to cast at 90 deg to the wind. He has observed that when the bait swims in this direction it can also produce a strike.
- When fishing deeper structure Jason will cast an Atomic crank 38 deep and wind it as slow as possible past various types of structure.
- It is a common theme through out this interview to wind slower.
Jason's Mindset
- Jason only focuses on things he can control. The things include casting, lure choice, where/ location and how fast he fishes.
- Jason recommends being well prepared and to not overcomplicate things.
- While he is fishing he is thinking it has happened before and it can happen again. He has caught many many XL bream in his time and he uses this thought pattern to keep focused and concentrate.
- He also says that with consistent practice and time on the water a good angler will sense when he or she is about to catch a fish.
Final Tips
- If you think you are going slow…. Go slower
- Apply some scent such as Guzzle goup which is a form of S-Factor
Brilliant podcast with so many great tips I also live on the Central Coast so look forward to practicing each week with the new tips.