Hawkesbury River Bream Fishing
Catching Bream Based on Tide – Never Fail Techniques!
Fishing The Hawkesbury & It’s Incredible Tributaries
The Hawkesbury River in New South Wales is a renowned and diverse fishery, celebrated for its stunning natural beauty and rich aquatic life. Stretching over 120 kilometers from the mountain ranges to the ocean, the river boasts a unique mix of estuarine habitats, including lush mangroves, mudflats, rocky outcrops, and deep, fast-flowing channels. The river’s diverse ecosystems, fed by freshwater tributaries and tidal saltwater, create an environment teeming with life, supporting an abundant food chain that attracts a wide variety of fish species. From the quiet backwaters of Berowra Waters to the expansive river mouth at Broken Bay, the Hawkesbury is a sanctuary for both freshwater and saltwater species.
For anglers, the Hawkesbury River offers an exceptional range of fishing opportunities. Iconic species like yellowfin bream, flathead, jewfish, and estuary perch are abundant, with the river’s many tributaries and deep channels providing ideal habitats. Whether casting soft plastics along rocky shores, chasing surface feeders in the estuaries, or targeting larger species in the river’s deeper pools, there’s something for every angler. Seasonal runs of fish, such as mulloway and tailor, keep the fishing exciting year-round. The river’s blend of diverse fishing conditions, combined with its natural beauty, makes every outing on the Hawkesbury a truly unforgettable experience.
To take advantage of the great river fishing, we have teamed up with Kevin Savvas, a local expert on this river system. Our target species for the day is the crafty and fun to catch Yellowfin Bream.
Quick Facts
- The Hawkesbury River has 15 major tributaries that feed into it.
- The Nepean River is the largest of its tributaries.
- Berowra Waters is a vital breeding and nursey ground for many species, including fish, crabs and prawns.
- Not known to many, bream use their strong jaws to crush oysters and barnacles for food.
- The Australian record for the largest bream ever caught is 57cm and 4.45kg.
Our Guide:
Kevin Savvas from Sydney
Kevin is a seasoned angler with over two decades of experience, specialising in the rich waters of the Hawkesbury River System and Sydney Harbour. His journey in fishing began with a focus on flathead, and over the years became captivated by the challenge of catching jewfish and bream on lures with light gear. More recently, Kevin has extended his expertise to the competitive bream fishing circuit, regularly competing in the prestigious ABT tournament. When he’s not out on the water, Kevin is an avid writer, sharing his insights and experience with the fishing community through his contributions to Fishing World magazine.
Picking Our Location
Launch: We started our day from the Berowra Waters Marina. Locations were picked based on the tide.
Spot 1: We collected a few crabs at the marina and started fishing around the corner floating crabs under pontoons and boats.
Spot 2: From there we moved on with the rising tide towards Cascade Gully (The Vines) to flick hard bodies at the oyster covered rock walls.
Spot 3: As the tide peaked, we moved to the Railroad Bridge to cast at the oyster covered support piers.
Spot 4: With the run out tide, we moved to Eleanor Bluffs to fish amongst the sandy areas between kelp beds.
Yellowfin Bream
Acanthopagrus Australis
Top Target Species
The Yellowfin Bream (Acanthopagrus australis) is a popular estuarine species found along Australia’s eastern coastline, known for its silvery body and distinctive yellow fins. For anglers, they offer an exciting challenge with their cautious nature and strong fight on light tackle. Found around mangroves, oyster leases, and rocky outcrops, they can be targeted using various techniques, including bait and lures, making them a rewarding catch for fishers of all skill levels.
Common Species In The Hawkesbury
Mulloway
Argyrosomus Japonicus
Dusky Flathead
Platycephalus Fuscus
Tailor
Pomatomus Saltatrix
Tackle we used for the day
When fishing the harbour its ideal to have 3 to even 4 different setups to be prepared for different types of opportunities.
Setup for catching bait yakkas, squid
Targeting larger fish kingfish, jewfish, etc
Targeting smaller fish like bream, trevally, etc
Midsized all rounder for smaller kings and jewfish to etc
Our techniques for the day
Low tide: During a low tide, bream like to hold up under pontoons and boats. Our first technique was to float live, unweighted crabs under these structures. We caught or lost a fish with each crab.
Rising tide: As the tide rises the fish move out towards the rocky shoreline to hunt for crustaceans and small fish. Our second technique was to flick hard bodies and soft plastics to the shoreline and work them back to the boat. We caught or lost a fish with every 6 or 7 casts.
High tide: At peak tide, we then tried our luck with casting hard bodies at oyster covered bridge pylons. The closer you get to the pylons the more productive. You get around 3 to 4 fish per pylon before you spook them and have to move on to the next.
Run out tide: As the tide started to drop, we then moved back to the shoreline along kelp beds. Here we flicked Gulp Crabbys and Prawns towards sandy breaks within the kelp. This was our least productive technique but also produced the 2 largest fish of the day!
What’s on offer throughout the year
Year Round
Bream, Estuary Perch, Flathead, Eels, Trevally, Luderick, Tailor, Jewfish, Leatherjackets
Spring
Kingfish, Whiting, Bream, Blue Swimmer Crabs, Flathead
Summer
Mangrove Jack, Tailor, Whiting, Mud Crab, Bream, Kingfish, Flathead, Blue Swimmer Crabs, Bonito
Autumn
Jewfish, Flathead, Luderick, Bream, Flathead, Whiting, Tailor, Bonito
Winter
Salmon, Trevally, Squid, Bream, Luderick, Jewfish, Tailor, Hairtail, Snapper (Pinkies)
Top tips from Kevin on fishing the Hawkesbury
What type of fishing gear should I use for ocean rock fishing?
It’s recommended to use a sturdy fishing rod with a fast action tip and a strong reel to handle the powerful pulls of fish such as snapper or kingfish. Use heavy line with a breaking strain of at least 20lb, and attach a strong leader to prevent your line from breaking on rocks or sharp edges. Lures or baits such as soft plastics, metal jigs, or fresh bait can be effective, but make sure to match your gear and technique to the species you’re targeting.
How do I stay safe while ocean rock fishing?
Always check the weather and ocean conditions before heading out, and never fish alone. Wear appropriate footwear with good grip, such as rock boots or sturdy sneakers, and consider wearing a life jacket or buoyancy vest. Be aware of the tide, waves, and potential hazards such as slippery or unstable rocks, and avoid fishing in areas with rough or high surf. Also, always keep an eye on your surroundings and be prepared to move to higher ground if necessary.
How can I find good fishing spots on the ocean rocks?
Look for areas with deep water close to shore, such as channels or gutters, as these can be prime spots for fish. Also, keep an eye out for underwater structure such as rock ledges or drop-offs, as these can attract a variety of species. Pay attention to the movement of the tide and the direction of the current, as this can help you predict where fish are likely to be feeding.
What should I do if I catch a fish while ocean rock fishing?
When you catch a fish, carefully reel it in and use a landing net to bring it up onto the rocks. Avoid lifting fish up by their gills or placing them on hot, dry rocks. If you plan on releasing the fish, handle it gently and quickly, and release it back into the water as soon as possible. If you plan on keeping the fish, bleed it and store it on ice as soon as possible to ensure the best quality meat.
The use of berley (chum) can be very effective if the bite is slow.
A trail of berley (chum) can attract fish to your area. This can be particularly effective for species like snapper or trevally.
However, to much berley can attract smaller unwanted fish like sweeps, kelpies and toadfish which will create challenges in keeping your bait on the hook.
Photo gallery of our day on the water with Kevin
Get out and fish the Hawkesbury River system!
Get out and fish the Hawkesbury, a fishing haven perfect for both individuals and families. With its stunning scenery, calm waters, and year-round fishing opportunities, it offers a peaceful escape for anglers of all skill levels. The river’s easy access points, including boat ramps and shoreline spots, make it simple to find a productive spot to cast a line.
The river’s diverse fish species, including bream, flathead, whiting, tailor, and mulloway, ensure excitement for everyone, from beginners to experienced anglers. Whether fishing from the shore, a kayak, or a boat, the Hawkesbury’s calm waters and beautiful surroundings provide the ideal setting for a memorable day on the water.
Kevin and I had an incredible day and would have landed 40+ fish between us. The majority of the bream went around 600 – 700 grams with a few that went over the kilo mark. There was also a bit of bycatch which included, Tailor, Flathead and Jewfish. Review Kevin’s tips on landing bream based on tide and give it a go!
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