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How to catch Black bream

Acanthopagrus butcheri (Munro, 1949)

About Black bream fishing

The black bream is a deep-bodied member of the porgy family Sparidae, featuring a compressed shape, a gently arched back, and a blunt head with a terminal mouth. Its upper body varies from a rich golden brown to bronze and greenish grey, shading to a paler belly with dusky to greenish black fins. This species inhabits the brackish waters of coastal rivers, estuaries, and sheltered lakes, and it penetrates into freshwater reaches during its annual breeding season. As an opportunistic bottom feeder, it consumes a wide range of crustaceans, molluscs, worms, and small forage fish. It is widely regarded as a premier recreational angling target across its range due to its hard-fighting nature and exceptional table qualities.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    24 cm TL

  • Market value

    Very high

  • Habitat

    Freshwater, Brackish, Saltwater

  • Season

    Spring, Autumn, Winter

  • Also known as

    Blue nose bream, Bream, Gippsland bream, Golden bream, Silver bream, Southern black bream

Black bream

Forked Caudal

Forked caudal fin distinguishes it from rounded-tail species.

Terminal Mouth

Terminal mouth position aids in species identification.

Convex Forehead

Clearly convex forehead profile is typical for adults.

Black bream fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    24 cm TL (max 60 cm TL )

  • Typical weight

    0.5 kg (max 4 kg )

  • Preferred temperature

    14.7–20.6 °C

  • Depth

    1–50 m

  • Longevity

    29 years

  • Body shape

    Fusiform / Normal

  • Commercial?

  • Vulnerability score

    41.4

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Peak

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Active

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Low

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Peak

  • Night

    After dark

    Active

When to fish for Black bream

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Black bream

Tips for catching Black bream

Anglers targeting this wary estuarine species find the best results by presenting natural baits or light lures near submerged structure such as fallen timber, rock ledges, and pylons. Light tackle is essential, as these fish possess keen eyesight and can be extremely cautious in clear, shallow waters. Bottom fishing with running sinker rigs using fresh local prawns, sandworms, or small crabs yields consistent results, especially around tidal movements. Alternatively, casting small soft plastics or surface lures during dawn and dusk periods offers an engaging challenge when fish move into the shallows to forage over weed beds.

Other names for Black bream

Local and alternate names anglers use for Black bream.

  • Southern yellowfin bream
  • Southern black bream
  • Southern bream
  • Golden bream
  • Silver bream
  • Gippsland bream
  • Bream
  • Blue nose bream
  • Black bream

Best equipment to catch Black bream

Compare fishing methods for Black bream — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 0.5 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Black bream

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

How Black bream migrates — Anadromous

Grows at sea and swims into rivers to spawn. Target the run as fish leave the ocean and push upstream.

How Black bream migrates — Anadromous 1. Eggs: Laid in fresh water, usually well up the river. 2. Juveniles: Grow in the river, then head downstream to the sea. 3. Adults: Feed and grow at sea. 4. Spawners: Run back up the river to spawn.
Fresh water Estuary Sea

1 Eggs

Fresh water

Laid in fresh water, usually well up the river.

2 Juveniles

→ Sea

Grow in the river, then head downstream to the sea.

3 Adults

Sea

Feed and grow at sea.

4 Spawners

→ Fresh water

Run back up the river to spawn.

Some populations never go to sea and complete the cycle in rivers and lakes.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Black bream

  • Diet

    Carnivore

  • Feeds by

    Hunts animals

  • Hunts

    Dawn · Dusk

  • Feeds over

    Soft bottom · Hard bottom · Intertidal · Seagrass

Where Black bream lives

Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.

Habitats
Freshwater, Brackish, Saltwater
Depth zone
Sublittoral
Continental shelf · 1–50 m
Water column
Demersal
On or near the bed

Where this species lives