Big Bream

Join Phil Spinks on an expansive, low-stocked, big fish water, targeting a small number of very large bream. Even to the most die-hard specimen hunter, this nocturnal challenge can be daunting task, made harder by the struggles to find open water spots at range and the local sailing club criss-crossing your swim!

We hope you enjoyed Phil Spinks’ latest video in his Specimen Series where he targets big bream on an expansive, low-stocked, big fish water. To help you follow Phil’s tips on fishing for specimen bream, we have broken down a quick list of the angling gear that Phil used on the trip.

Fishing Rod: Advanta Discovery RVS Twin Tip Rods

Phil chose the Advanta RVS rods in 1.75lb test curve as these are perfect for targeting big bream. With a 1.25lb Avon top section, these rods are ideal for medium-range Stillwater specimen fishing.

“It is a joy to play the big bream on these rods, but they have plenty of power if a rogue carp is hooked.” – Phil Spinks

Fishing Reel: Shimano Baitrunner X-Aero RA Reel

The perfect partner for the Advanta RVS rods, the Baitrunner X-Aero RA reel suits bream fishing on the very large pits as you are often placing your baits at range with a bait boat. These reels have sufficient line capacity for the job. Being Shimano's flagship baitrunner the gearing and clutch system is one of the best reels available.

Fishing Shelter: Advanta Discovery CX One Night Stand Bivvy V2

Weather conditions on the big bream pit can be very harsh at times, and fishing into the teeth of big winds is often the key to success. The one-night stand is incredibly solid and will cope with the harsh conditions with ease. Phil chose this compact bivvy as it suits his style of fishing. The version 2 of the one-night stand bivvy from the Advanta Discovery range is just small enough to fit in the tightest of swims, but enough room to fit inside all that specimen bream anglers like Phil need during the session. If that was not enough, the shelter is quick and easy to set up and pack away making moving swims much easier.

Fishing Chair: Advanta Endurance Memory Foam Low Chair

This compact little chair offers anglers some extra comfort. Unfortunately, even for Phil, there can be long periods of inactivity between bite times on the big pit, so this is certainly a luxury item worth taking with you.

Fishing Bedchair: Advanta Discovery CCX Straight Superlite

Phil favours this bedchair as it only weighs 6.7kg, helping him keep his fishing gear as minimalistic as possible for angling on the big pit.

Fishing Sleeping Bag:  Advanta CCX5 5 Season Sleeping Bag

This 5-season sleeping bag keeps anglers warm on the colder nights at the bankside and is great for sessions early in the spring, just when the big bream fishing starts. It only weighs 3.5kg and combined with the Superlite Bedchair offers comfort and warmth without being too heavy.

Fishing Net: Advanta Protector Landing Net 42''

A double-figure bream is a big fish, so a 42" net makes netting them much easier. There is also a chance of a big carp at these types of venues so having a net big enough to deal with them is very important.

Fishing Line: Drennan Supplex Fluorocarbon

Phil is a huge fan of fluorocarbon hook lengths for bream fishing as they are slightly stiff and have great anti-tangle qualities. The water on the big pit is incredibly clear so the fluorocarbon provides the perfect presentation. Phil suggests using either 8lb or 10lb breaking strain.

Terminal Tackle: Fox Camotex Kling On Swivel Lead

The Fox Kling on leads is the perfect shape to ensure that your rigs stay on the side of the bars where you place them.

Terminal Tackle: Advanta Endurance PVA Mesh System 7m

Phil recommends adding a small PVA mesh bag to the rig to ensure a hand full of bait is sitting on top of the hook bait for even more attraction. The mesh system from Advanta makes tying small bags very quick and easy.

Fishing Bait: CC Moore Pacific Tuna Shelf Life Boilies

Big bream are without a doubt the result of them feeding on carp angler's baits, so, a good quality fishmeal boilie is a must. Phil suggests using either a 10mm or a trimmed down 15mm tipped with a piece of plastic corn or your choice of hookbait.  Phil also uses some of these boilies whole and crumbled as loose feed for added attraction.

Artificial Bait: Korda Pop Up Corn

Phil tips his hook bait with a piece of yellow plastic corn as it gives it extra attraction whilst matching his loose feed that consists of pellets, boilies and corn.

Bait Mix: Bait-tech Spod & PVA Pellet Mix

This mixture of different size pellets keeps the big bream feeding on the spot for longer. Phil often requires a large number of pellets when bream fishing, so a couple of these buckets are perfect.

Bait Boat: Angling Technics Technicat MkII with Graphic Sounder

Phil uses this top of the range bait boat for pike fishing on the huge reservoirs during the wintertime, but he also swears by it for giving him a massive edge for this style of bream fishing.  Combined with the graphic sounder the Technicat MkII bait boat makes finding the shallow gravel spots at extreme range much easier.

For those opposed to using bait boats, the only way anglers could cast to these spots would be to use a heavy test curve carp rod and a big pit reel. As Phil chose 1.75 test curve rods so he could enjoy playing the bream on balanced tackle, a bait boat is a better option for placing bait accurately with next to no disturbance.

Of course, this video also features Phil’s scales, unhooking mats, weigh sling, rod support and more terminal tackle which can all be found across the AD website.

If you are still yet to watch Phil's Big Bream episode, you can watch it in the video below.