What was your first dedicated Bream outfit??

[Dave W]

Mine was a second hand Diawa Tournament SS attached to an Ugly Stick Light - it did the job pretty well until I saw the light and got into Hi-Modulus Graphite rods.

How about you?

[Richo]

Dave they saw me coming from a mile away..... I went in to a shop and asked what I needed to chase Bream on Lures... This was before my intro to the various sites and forums.... I got told to purchase - or in fact I purchased - don`t laugh

A Penn Power Stick,
8 pd smoke fireline (300m)
And the best thing they did was talk me into an Epix 20.

But I have since (within a week) of getting the PowerStick purchased a Daiwa Heartland X (HL - X662 MLFS) and 4pd green fireline (125m).... Seems like a real good outfit now, plenty of grunt.....

Im now looking to add a partner or 2 in Crime, maybe a finesse model of some type... and an Okuma Ispira 15?? when it comes out??

Always looking for bigger and better..... But you can always sufficiently set yourself up on a tight budget... as there are many alternatives....

Im just a sucker

CHeers

Richo:p

[Dave W]

Okuma's are tops:D

I've got 2 Epix 20's , an Avenger 15, a Graphite 60 for beach work and never had a problem with any of them - with a 5 year warranty and that price I think they are one of the best value reel ranges on the market.

I also can't wait to see the new Ispira (inspira??) 15 - if it's the next step up from the Epix it should be magic.

Cheers,

[Craig_S]

Dave, whats your thoughts on that AV15? I saw it for $75 and thought it looked great for the price.

[Dave W]

Craig my Avenger is a ripper - it's stopped some pretty good fish (a 55cm Trevally is one of the most memorable:D )

The drag is nice and smooth and I don't worry about it as much as the Epix, it tends to get a bit of a beating as I'm not known for being gentle on tackle:rolleyes:

Here's one of my favorite pics - all fish were caught on the Avenger.

[Craig_S]

Nice to hear that...I thought for $75 I couldnt go far wrong and I think now that one of these will be in my very near future.

I've had the Epix EB30 off my 8' rod and been using it on the 6' stick and while its a fab reel I'm finally about to give up and call it too big.

[Richo]

Craig - Its taken you this long to work that out.... lol.. I do admit the AV 20 don`t look to bad, throw an Epix handle on it and it`ll look real sweet..... I still think Im up for the Inspira though.... and probably an AV as well..... Im still a sucker

Cheers

Richo:p

[Craig_S]

Yeah Richo, I'm not as stupid as I'm slow looking:confused:

No ones made any mention yet of KMart combos still lurking in a dark corner of the shed. Surely I cant be the only one with a collection of these hanging around?

[troutsmith]

Morning guys, well my first was a ABU Morum braid 2-4 kilo with a Tica 1000 spin reel, 4lb fireline, but i have upgraded to a Breambuster teamed with a Biomaster 1000 great well balanced outfit.:)

[Bream Master]

Hi Gary, welcome onboard. I was hoping a few of our regulars would log on. I'll be back in an hour or two guys.

For the record, I use a Daiwa Heartland IM6 combined with a Daiwa 1500 Regal Z.

Cheers

Warren.

[robgps20]

Hey Warren,
I have that exact same combo, and it does the job well for the price don't ya think? My first combo was the diawa heartland IM6 matched with an abu T2000F loaded with 2kg pre test. Now the IM6 is normally matched to the Regal Z 1500 and 4lb firelone takes precedence over mono. I also have an okuma epix efs 20 which is a decent little reel too. :)

[Lskinner]

hi guys

my first combo was a regal z 1500 and 6'6" daiwa procaster

now i use a tds 2000 and 6'6" daiwa procaster

both with 4lb fireline

ps. good to see the new site up an running

[budge]

hey guys

My first bream combo was a 6' GL2 spin jig rod matched with a daiwa regal Z 1500c with 4lb smoke fireline. I guess the local tackle guys saw me coming... Its a great combo though, I love it.

[Billfish]

My first "dedicated" bream rod was a GLoomis SJ700 with a Stradic 1000 and 6lb Fireline. Since then I've added an Ian Miller designed Triple "B" and another Stradic 1000 with 4lb Fireline but wait, there's more:D .

I've gone even better and upgraded to a custom built 6'6" Black Diamond Bluestone 1-3kg rod and a Shimano BioMaster 1000 reel, again with4lb Fireline. This outfit is by far the best in the stable, it is brilliant.

[Big Muddie]

HI.

My first dedicated outfit was a Daiwa Procaster X teamed with a Shakespeare Catera 4525. The Shakespeare is now teamed with an Okuma TX601 SPL Carbon Mesh rod and the Procaster has a Daiwa Ondine 1500 hanging off it.

Both outfits are loaded with 4Lb Fireline (Smoke).

I know some are not fams of the Shakespeare reels but properly looked after they perform extremely well. I have 2 of them and both are in excellent order and are a joy to use.

Later this month I will be adding a Squidgy Spin Stick and move the Daiwa to that.

[Newbass]

Hi Guys
My first set up is what i have now.
Daiwa ProcasterX 602lfs with Okuma Avenger 15 with 6lb flame green fireline.
Like Dave said,Havent had a problem with the av15 yet and have also caught a 60cm trevally with it.
Dave did you catch yours at the spot were you always see me ?
Newbass

[chris_lemess]

First setup I used for bream was Ugly Stick Lite Spin, Silstar Tiny 20, 6lb Fireline.

First dedicated bream setup is the one I use now - Daiwa Heartland Z "Finnesse Special" 601LFS-Sti with 4lb Fireline.
Most awesome combo I've ever had the pleasure to use!

Billfish - how's your Biomaster going now?

Chris

[Fisherman Josh]

Hi guys,
My first real set up for bream was and is still a shakespeare synergy 200 with 4 lb fireline matched to a diawa heartland im6 lovely setup although i am thinking of upgrading to a diawa capricorn look lovely and have good al round features. Yeah richo when you showed me that power stick more like stump puller i felt really bad that people in a tackle shop couldnt put you towards the right gear at least something more expensive for you seeing as your a tackle freak;) hehehlol.
Keep it up guys and warren this site is a killer catch you later.
Fisherman Josh

[Dave W]

Originally posted by Newbass
Hi Guys
My first set up is what i have now.
Daiwa ProcasterX 602lfs with Okuma Avenger 15 with 6lb flame green fireline.
Like Dave said,Havent had a problem with the av15 yet and have also caught a 60cm trevally with it.
Dave did you catch yours at the spot were you always see me ?
Newbass

Nah mate, just around a couple of corners at a certain marina starting with 'W' - although I have caught a few where you're talking about, you instantly think you've got the Bream from hell on:D

Cheers,

[Mim]

My first Bream outfit was Madsurfe's hand-me down. The rod is a 5"6 custom ugly stick, a bit too whippy. The reel is a Abu CD4 1000 that has seen better days. I hope to have a new reel at least by the time we hit Walpole for the next comp. I think I would also like the new Bushy and Starling Squidgie rod that is about to hit the shelves. Maybe Santa will visit, cos I have been very good.

[Davo]

Hey people,

First bream setup was a shimano stradic rod and an okuma epix eb30 spooled with 8lb spiderwire.

Since becoming addicted to fishing soft plastics and hardbodies I had to get something a little more suitable so what I have at the moment is a shimano stella rod and a diawa capricorn2000 reel, one spool spooled with 4lb flamegreen fireline, the other spool with 6lb.



Davo

[Bear]

Hi Dave,
When I first got into Breammin', my first outfit was a 6 foot Shakespeare Synergy with an Okuma A30 reel and 6 pound fireline.

Just bought a Mitchell Excellence fitted with a Okums FA30 reel and 8 pound fireline. Works a treat and had no troubles with the 1.44kg Bream I got in the Kalgan.

Best thing is it only cost me $110. To me it's good value for money. :D

[Craig_S]

Yeah, nice one Bear. I saw that and you give it a real hammering without worrying about the depreciation.

I think its best feature was the short grip. I never really noted how much mine hits me in the forearm until I had a feel of yours.

[Bear]

If you haven't used a short grip rod yet, then give it a try..... quickly. You won't go back.

Makes a huge difference to the way you fish.

[Bankso]

My first bream stick and reel was a Heartland IM6 and a regal -z 1500 with 4pound fireline flame of course:cool: . Seems a very popular first outfit for the dollars I dont think you can go wrong. Now I pick up a glass rod and wonder how did I ever use this. Graphite is the way to go and never look back.

cheers Gaven:)

[Geoff R]

:D Hey Guys this site is cool,
My first bream rod was a G Loomis SB721 matched with a Stradic
(2-4kg high mod. graphite ) I had fished with heavier Loomis's before for Barra etc and I just couldn't use anything else.:rolleyes:

[Craig_S]

Hey Geoff, did that pic not work or is it just me?

Regards

Craig

[Richo]

DaveW - this has been a great post mate.... for everyone about to head out and purchase something new, you can see what others have and and what rods can be used to chase our bream. I`ll be going through this post beofr emy next rod for sure.

Cheers

Richo:p

[Billfish]

Originally posted by chris_lemess


Billfish - how's your Biomaster going now?

Chris

Hi Chris, mate it's fine now.

The nut on the main spindle was loose and just need a litttle tweak :rolleyes:

[mike_mad_fisho]

gday
my first dedicated bream outfit was a diawa heartland im6 rod with a diawa regal x 1500 which i awesom with 6lb smoke fireline.

thanks michael

[mangajack]

My first dedicated bream lure rod was a Daiwa sensor gold kevlar/graphite rod with a shimano aerocast 1010 reel.
my current setup is a Sabre IC603 custom built rod with the 1010 reel. That reel has never failed me and its one of my favs to use.
Some ppl say the IC603 rod might be too brutal for 4lb work but in the case of fishing the mangorves it serves me very well with the sharp fast lockup yet its got the tip for light work and sensitivity.
Tony.

[Matt]

The first outfit I used to good effect on Bream was a Silstar Crystal Tip 6' and an Abu T1000e. Although this was a little short and the reel a little heavy.
I then upgraded to a Redington RFX/Regalz combo which was well balanced although the Redington I felt was a bit gutless. Unfortunately the Redington met with a car door and came out second best:mad: so I have upgraded again to a Strudwick TPS66 1-3kg. I am going to match this with a either a Biomaster or a Twinpower.
I will get the Redington repaired and have the RegalZ back on it to use as a secondary outfit.

Cheers
Matt

[Craig_S]

Matt, whats your feeling on that Strudwick? I had a little play with one recently and I think thats my next. Interested in you view but as I dont know anyone currently using it.

Ta

Craig

[Matt]

Howdy Craig, I have only used it the once so far but managed to pull a PB Bream with it from out under a wharf. My initial impressions are very good, it is light with a moderate action and casts accurately. There appears to be plenty of grunt in the butt, the Bream made some powerful runs and I did not have to use my wrist to add extra muscle (something I had to do a lot with my Redington!!).
One thing I really am impressed with is the quality of the Cork used in the handle, very nice.
Another couple of weeks and I will no doubt have a better idea on the rod and all its 'foibles' but so far it lloks good:D

Cheers
Matt

[Craig_S]

Thanks Matt - interesting stuff because I was looking at a Reddington also.

[Andrew D]

G'day Everybody,
My first outfit was a Stella 66 with a Sahara 1000. Updated this with a Loomis IMX SJ720 and Caldia 2000 and also have bought a Breambuster with a TD-S1500 all spooled with 4lb green fireline.
Havent actually caught a Bream yet but cant be far away as I've caught all the other suspects, flathead, whiting, pike and toadies.

Thanks Andrew

[Matt]

Originally posted by Craig_S
Thanks Matt - interesting stuff because I was looking at a Reddington also.

I quite liked my Redington, it was a pretty slow rod which I like and was a joy to cast and use. The only fault I had was that it was a tad gutless.

Cheers
Matt

[bubble]

Interesting thread....
I am currently using a Diawa Procaster-S teamed with an Abu JP2000 with 4kg fireline and Vanish leader. For those of us on a real? budget I cannot go past the combination. You do not need to spend squillions to come up with a combination that will do the job. Some of this more expensive stuff just intimidates me. Anyway this combo pulls fish.....

[Craig H]

I don't know the model numbers of my first Bream outfit as I was too young to care/remember (currently 23 years old), but it was a whippy 6' Shakespeare rod (was cheap as chips, ~$25) and a little $50 Silstar reel. Always used to out-fish the old man whenever we went to our regular haunts.

He left our gear in our 12ft dinghy 4 years ago, and it was swiped from the side of the house. Insurance coughed up some dosh and we bought new gear! (not so new now, being 4 years old).

Anyways, I'm new to the site (looks great guys!), and only just getting back into fishing after a 3-4 year absence from the river. I am currently using a 6' Mitchell 400 series graphite rod, together with a Shimano FX2000 reel containing 4lb Maxima line.

My other rig is more of an 'all-purpose' one, being a 7' Silstar Powertip rod, a Silstar GXF40 Longcast reel with 6lb brown Shcneider line.

Thinking of buying another small 6' outfit of about $80 shortly (student budget! lol) ... just a cheap Shimano rod and a Viva reel. The 7' is getting a little cumbersome.

[Simon]

My first and still current designated bream luring rod is a 7' piece of spagetti made by Angler Rods its a GSP ??? matched to a regal 1500 and 6lb green fire. spare spool of 2lb platpus super for the flats. Am currently trialling a few circle hook jigs to see if they make a difference with my crappy reflexes and occasional day dreaming.

Cheers

Simon.

[bluefin]

My first was a 6 ft Butterworth Blank I made up and a Mitchell 301 threadline, then a Butterworth FMT72L which is still going strong. My Baitcaster is a Shimano Bantum 100 and an Ugly Stick 5 1/2 foot. All quite old but deadly!!!!!! The FMT72L is now joined to an Epix EB30. This outfit accounted for a 23 kg Jew off Umina Beach while bream fishing last July.

[Mim]

I am a happy little vegemite. My wonderful man bought me a new toy for christmas. It came in 2 parts. Part A was last Saturday. A new Daiwa Laguna 1500. Then on Friday morning I got Part B. A brand new Browning IM6 blank 6' 6, customised by JP in the butt. First cast and I hooked one, but after a minute of fighting his teeth went right through my 8lb leader. Wish I had got it in the boat.

Cheers,

Mim

[Brett Finger]

Diawa procast -x and a okuma av20
Hookin,Brett :D

[Cheyne Jones]

My first bream outfit was a Heatland X and Okuma Epix 30.

Snapped the rod within 3 days so know i am using a Procaster X, in hind sight i would have gone for a Epix 20 instead of the 30.

[Simmo]

Heya's

My First dedicated outfit was a Shimano Stella 6'6" and a Shimano Stradic 2000 loaded with 4lb Fireline.
I love this outfit its well balanced and a pleaseure to fish with. Not that I have caught many fish on it yet, but its gettin a pretty solid work out.

All my fly rods are loomis, and I love them to death and will probably upgrade my rod to a loomis later on, once I get the hang of this breamin :)

Cheers
Simmo

[Bustlinbarry]

G'Day ppl!, Only just got my first bream rod bout a month b4 xmas. Couldnt justify buying top of the range stuff so I ended up getting a 6' Silstar Crystal power tip(pc-602spm) matched with a Surecatch 9bb White Horse (WHF930) came with 2 spools, the first I loaded with 6lb Fireline the other 4lb. Not the most recognised brands around but...... I like it it! so thats all that matters. Got 2 blackies on first two casts on Atomic grubs then didnt get another bite. Also used it recently near Nannup and picked up five redfin and a very small brown trout. ... Great site and congrats on the million hits keep up the good work.
L8tr
Barry:cool:

[DaiwaFreak]

My first outfit was purchased 3 years ago since i started fishing seriously. I got a Shimano Steve Starling Squidgy 7 foot spin with a Shimano Slade 100FB. I am still using this combo today as it is a good match.

Cheers

DaiwaFreak

[Stu_000]

Man you've dragged up a seriously old thread. Some of those heads are older and wiser now :D

[breambuster7]

shimano stella and berkley pro tactic haha i wish umm my first was a shimano catana and shimano 1500 sonora

[Hotrods]

ya not wrong ! this must have ben one of the first posts when the site was opened...

worth a read though as to the change in gear that has taken place over the past few years...

to answer i had to think pretty darn hard but im pretty sure it was a rebuilt Silstar 2pc 6' UL rod and small graphite reel of some unknown $30 price range...back in the mid to late 90's...lol

my first DEDICATED bream outfit was a S/H Daiwa Triforce-X baitcaster on a custom Samurai 002, and later upgraded to a Daiwa CV-X 103. and that was circa 2000/01 ish ?!?!

[Dror]

Wow a six year old thread, was before I had even joined the forum.
It is funny though to read about some of the outifts that guys like Dave Welfare, Bear and Richo were using back then. I wonder if they realised how much money they were going to end up spending on chasing bream.

Cheers, Dror

[SLAZMO]

Hi all i think back to the 2004 era and it was a more general polastics and HB rod a Shakespere Graphite Uglystick and a Daiwa Laguna 2000 Hardbodiez.

Now a Pfleuger Trion 2pc and a Shimano Saros 1000... not the best like me mates but it'll do, and it does... :D

[MeePee_99]

My first bream outfit was a pflueger president 1-3kg (nice stick) and a shimano symetre (within a week or two got a twin power)

Now its a loomis drs 820 and a shimano stella

[Shortlite]

Well, seeing as we're on bream, and my RLF stuff is exactly the same, I will say that when I got here to Australia, and finding you bream boys, is when it took off for me.

My 1st outfit that truly saw me embrace insane light line spinning was my custom Batson RX6 SB720-4, matched to my Abu Cardinal C100UL. Then the Loomis, then the All Star, and now searching for the new weapon. I have also used a Pflueger President 6025, and a Shimano Biomaster 1000.

And now I have a Daiwa Luvias 1003 in my grubby mitts, ready for a tuneup and a pimping rod. So i guess i'll just have to build 2!!!!!!

[Dave W]

Wow a six year old thread, was before I had even joined the forum.
It is funny though to read about some of the outifts that guys like Dave Welfare, Bear and Richo were using back then. I wonder if they realised how much money they were going to end up spending on chasing bream.

Cheers, Dror

lol I reckon if I worked it out (without the boat costs) I'd get sweet FA change from around $10000 a year................ but you gotta have a hobby :D

[crusty]

My first serious bream outfit was a 7ft sic stick 1-3kg rod and a excellor 2000 with 4lb fireline.
I then purchased a shimano catana reel and a $50 tackle warehouse special 2-4kg as a second outfit. Using this outfit caused me to dislike the Sic Stick. It felt too floppy (thats a technical term).
Found the Berkley dropshots in the series 2 with the shaped grips which while a little softer than the shimano rod still had better recovery so 1 of these quickly became 2, the grips felt heaps better than the plain ones. Had to get another excellor to fit this. Then I found Shimano T-curve 7ft xl 2 piece and it made its way home and a 2nd hand capricorn 1500 needed a good home. Added a ABU cardinal 802.
My wife thinks its an obsession, but I'm pretty sure it runs deeper than that.
Then came the pfleuger trion tournament (glorious blank but prefer cork to EVA on the grip) and a Team Daiwa Advantage 2000.
Was taking a trip to NZ to basically fly fish for trout but thought should take some plastics along so quick stop at Mo's on the way to Gold Coast airport saw an extra piece of luggage, a 3 piece raider.

And now love the look of Hot Rods Swizzle sticks so had a play with some blanks at Mo's and acquired a hastings pioneer PUR70UL and all the associated bits. Its mostly put together although I screwed up on the binding, one of the guides is a new mobile variety and getting an epoxy mix right is harder than it looks so its a little tacky. Stuck at work now so fixing it is on hold until after a family holiday. Awesome Rod though, very light and responsive and the handle which I copied from Hot Rods (shhhh) feels great. The lightest taps get transmitted. I can see my other rods be slowly phased out, (although I might just modify the handle on pfleuger cause its still pretty good).

[breambasher]

Hmm first bream outfit was.... only about 6 years ago and was a shimano raider and daiwa caprice 2000. Since then have gone through 3 raiders 6'6", a wilson live-fibre texalium 2-4kg spin and a daiwa tierra 2000, but know am using a hotrods swizzlestick 701ULF 1-2kg and a stella 1000 and am absolutely loving it and dont think I could ever use anything else!

[Richo]

I just thought to myself, geez I cant remember what I was using, then I looked and seen Id already replied in 2002..... and gee how times fly, that old combo would feel like a broomstick now with a brick for a reel. God how 6 years flies..

:)

[kevvy7]

My first was a symetre and a shimano sss rod

[BARRAkid]

my first bream rod was a penn accord 2000 and a berkley dropshot :p

[kevin19870316]

my 1st was a daiwa procyon-z 6'6 2-6lb paired with a symeter 1500.

[Snorticle]

mine is a berkely dropshot and a pelagic vision 850

[Coza]

my 1st bream/flathead set up was:
jarvis walker rod, DohDohDohDohest rod ever
2500 shimano seiena
6lb fireline

[ste]

berkley dropshot/ pfluger trion and peen applause 2000

[Try Hard]

Shimano Sienna 1000 and 6'8' raider, 4lb green fireline

[Brad Y]

To be perfectly honest and im not kidding it would have been a 20lb handline and some suicide hooks and running sinker with river prawns. This was way back before i had pubes.

After that (getting pubes) i kind of touched base up to luvias 2004 and custom built rods, back down to my own rolled sticks and what ever reel i can find spare to throw on it.

[shano]

culdve done by leaving out the pubes mate hahaha young kid wouldve been fine :o

few years bak got myself a penn pinn point 2 -4 kilo rod and a penn 3000 affinity haha bit on the heavy side but wat was i to know being knew to the sport....mind u caught me a heap of bream and quality saltwater fish....81 cm golden trevally i wont be forgettin in a while :D

[dezza1994]

My first dedicated rod/reel was a berkley dropshot with a daiwa cy spooled with 4lb fireline crystal.:D

[CARRAGANT]

Berkkley Dropshot and a Daiwa Procaster 2000 with 4lb bass hard, nice little unit for $220

Just moved to a DSR820imx and a Team Daiwa Tierra 2000 with 4lb Tead Daiwa braid, which is also a nice rig...

Brad Y, funny about the pubes.... lol :)

[n-fish]

I use to use a surf rod I think by memory it was about 10ft 2 piece straped it to the side of my bike and head down to mt henry bridge or shelly and try and cast to the other side of the river

Bait was what ever could buy from the local deli for the little change I had or try and dig up some blood worms

I would of been about 9 - 10 years old

[PMac]

Black Diamond Bream Reaper and a Stradic 1000 for me.
Now free to anyone who wants them.
All you have to do is provide goggles etc and take a dip in Waroona Dam.
:o:o:o