Species
Black Bream
Acanthopagrus butcheri
Also known as southern bream and blue-nosed bream
Tier 1Eating8/10ultralight tackleNSWVICSAWATAS
27 waypoints22–35 cm (max 60 cm) typical
Regulations
VIC28 cm min · bag 5SA30 cm min · bag 10WA25 cm min · bag 4TAS25 cm min · bag 5
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| VIC | 28 cm min | 5 |
| SA | 30 cm min | 10 |
| WA | 25 cm min | 4 |
| TAS | 25 cm min | 5 |
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about black bream
Estuary specialist of southern Australia — from VIC through TAS, SA and the lower WA coast. Targeted with small soft plastics, hardbodies and bait around snags, jetties and oyster racks. Famously fussy and rewarding on light line; bigger fish push 40cm+ in productive systems.
Biology: Black Bream size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Estuary, River
- Typical size
- 22–35 cm (max 60 cm)
- Weight
- 0.4–1.2 kg (max 4 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–10 m
- Diet
- prawns, crabs, worms, molluscs, small fish
- Most active
- crepuscular
- Global range
- Southern Australia
How to target: Black Bream angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- small soft plastics and crank baits flicked tight to snags and pontoons
- live yabbies or saltwater nippers on a running ball sinker rig
- blade vibes hopped along channel edges and oyster racks
- surface lures over shallow flats early morning
Best season: when to catch black bream in Australia
- VIC
- Sep-May (Gippsland Lakes)
- WA
- Apr-Sep (Swan/Canning)
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught black bream
No black bream catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: black bream fishing spots in Australia
South Australia10
- Antechamber BayBeach · SA-35.77°
- Currency CreekRiver · SA-35.43°
- Donovans LandingRiver Mouth · SA-38.05°
- Finniss River MouthRiver Mouth · SA-35.40°
- Goolwa ChannelEstuary · SA-35.52°
- Hindmarsh Island ChannelsEstuary · SA-35.54°
- Inman River MouthRiver Mouth · SA-35.56°
- Mark PointShoreline · SA-35.73°
- Mundoo ChannelEstuary · SA-35.55°
- Mundoora MangrovesShoal · SA-33.58°
Western Australia9
- Augusta / Blackwood River MouthRiver Mouth · WA-34.31°
- Bunbury Cut (The Plug)Estuary · WA-33.33°
- Faure SillShoal · WA-25.83°
- Harvey EstuaryEstuary · WA-32.72°
- Leschenault EstuaryEstuary · WA-33.27°
- Murray River (Yunderup)River Mouth · WA-32.58°
- Oyster HarbourEstuary · WA-34.98°
- Peel InletEstuary · WA-32.58°
- Thomas RiverRiver Mouth · WA-33.85°
Tasmania6
More information: black bream references & sources
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