Finding And Catching Trophy Bream: Paul Malov

Episode Overview

This episode is the fourth 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.

Paul Malov

Paul is a high profile bream tournament champ, sponsored angler and walking encyclopedia of bream fishing. He won the ABT Grand Final in 2013 with his father. He also won the Victorian Bream Classics Team Series team of the year in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015 and represented Australia in Louisiana for the Hobie Fishing Worlds 6 in 2016.

Summary Of Paul's Interview

Key Locations To Target XL bream

Jetties, docks, pontoons and man made structure around Melbourne.
Locations towards estuary mouths that have good current flow, especially rock walls and snags with moderate flow. If the current flow is too strong the bream will be concentrated in eddies and behind structure where they can hide. Paul believes that having good sources of food such as shell fish and crabs in these locations is part of the reason bream can be found.

Tide Preferences

Paul prefers the last 1-2 hours of the run up to high and the first 1-2 hours of the run out.

Preparation For Fishing Trips & Competitions

Paul is meticulous about his preparation for a competition which typically starts 3 weeks prior to competition day.
He researches long range forecasts, recent rainfall and considers the time of year. He also researches previous competition results, posts and videos. Paul also has his own collection of social media and photos to draw from.
In addition to research Paul likes to buy more tackle but also tries to condense his gear to a manageable amount.
All hooks and rings are checked prior to a competition and are replaced as required. All leaders are re-tied before starting a competition.

Pauls XL Bream Lures

The Muss by Outback Breamer Baits. Paul used this lure to great effect in the Gippsland round of the Vic Bream Classic. He and his father targeted single poles as well as tight to docks and pontoons. They used techniques similar to fishing soft plastics allowing them to sink on a slack line. They paid attention, watching for a ‘tick’ on the line or for the line to stop sinking. If The Muss was not taken on the drop he hopped it slowly back to the boat. During this competition they used 11- 17 lb leaders and up-graded the split rings to 5-8 kg. They also up-grade the hooks to Owner ST 36 size 12 trebles due to the extra pressure they exerted with the heavier leaders.
Cranka Crab - olive and glow. Paul prefers crabs when the fish are closer to the bottom and the water is a little dirtier.
Stick Minnows. Atomic Semi hards, These are used tight to structure when the fish are higher in the water column.
Zman grubs and Paddle tails (slim swims). Paul uses these to target rock walls, tea tree and rocky points, usually on a 1/16 or 1/12 jig head. If fishing structure a hidden weight will allow for a horizontal fall which Paul likes.
Honourable lure mentions included ; Jackall Chubbys, Bassday Range Vibes, Damiki Monster Mikis and Gulp Cam Worms.

Rods and Reels

For Plastics Paul uses a Miller Rods Grub Freak paired with a 2003 Diawa Exist. 10lb braid and 4-5 lb leader. Paul is currently using many brands of braid which include; Toray, Unitika, Gosen and Major Craft.
The Muss set up was Miller Rods Beast Buster Custom rod in 3-6 kg. Diawa 2500 Exists with 20lb braid and 11-17lb leader.

Pauls Electronics

Paul is a Lowrance Pro Staffer and has a 9” setup on his kayak which includes Active Target.
On his boat he has a Lowrance HDS Live 12” unit on the console with a 3 in 1 transducer, plus a Lowrance HDS live 16” on the bow with an Active Target console.
His transducer is mounted on a GFAB Engineering Pole.
In addition to the sounders Paul has a 6” Lowrance Ghost Tolling Motor.
Paul’s sounder tips
- Spend time on the water learning how to use and read your sounder. If possible, spend time on the water with someone who can show you how to use your sounder.
- Check out YouTube and search for someone who has the exact same set up as you, who also produces excellent screen shots.
- To learn how to use side imaging, scan bridges and boat ramps etc. Take a mental note of how far from the structure your boat is and how that looks on your screen. When scanning a bridge or other structure, change the range and see how this affects the image.
- With the Active Target enabled Paul prefers scout mode in areas where there is structure as a point of reference. Forward facing mode is preferred when there is no point of reference.
- Paul has a number of informative videos on his YouTube channel.

Final tips for XL Bream

Spend time on the water to identify spots that constantly hold big fish.
Explore systems that are not your local water way. Fish these areas in good and bad conditions.
Invest your time and learn how to use your electronics. Locate the fish so you can then work out how to get the in the boat.