Night fishing for Bream on the Norfolk Broads
I have enjoyed some amazing nights targeting big bags of river Bream on the Norfolk Broads. As many will be aware the Norfolk Broads is an excellent and very popular venue for boating which makes fishing for the bream during daylight hours almost impossible in most stretches of the rivers, hence the night sessions.
One of my favourite swims is on the River Yare in Brundall, a bit of a hike down church lane over the railway line and through a wooded section but well worth it for an eventful night of Bream bagging.
I will often arrive around 20:00 to setup the swim and lay down a large bed of groundbait, boat movement will be at a a minimum at this time of night and there is still enough daylight to setup and prepare for the darkness to set in.
The large shoals of Bream in this section are ravenous and require a large amount of groundbait to attract them and to keep them interested. My favorite mix is breadcrumb (brown or white), hemp, sweetcorn and a handful of red maggots for good measure, mix the whole lot together with the juice from the sweetcorn and water to a relatively wet consistency, this ensures the groundbait will make it to the bottom instead of being carried away on the tide (which can run very strong as Brundall is still quite tidal). As mentioned earlier after arriving I will lay down a bed of the groundbait (approximately 10 to 15 tennis ball sized) approximately a 1/3 of the way out in to the river. This is where a lot of newcomers to the Broads go wrong and cast way out in to the middle of the river where the tide is at its strongest.
Tackle required due to the strength of the tide is relatively heavy. A feeder rod with a medium to heavy tip depending on the strength of the tide is required along with a good reel loaded with 4 - 6lb mainline. You can fish direct or use a hook length between 2 - 4lb although I often fish direct which doesn’t seem to have any negative impact (depending on bait, hook sizes from 14 to 18).
Productive baits seem to change every session so I take the following as a minimum
One session breadflake was the winner but the next session about 2 weeks later bites were slow until a change to double red maggot which provided a haul just over 100lb.
Keep the groundbait going in throughout the night, every half an hour 2 - 3 tennis ball sized or every fish, which ever comes first to ensure you keep the fish interested. You’ll know when the fish have moved in due to the large amount of line bites that you will experience. Proper bites tend to be a no mess affair, big knocks on the quiver or full on bends.
Using the line clip on the reel is essential to ensure that the groundbait lands in the same place instead of spreading the shoal all over the place. Keep the rod(s) high on a rest to keep as much of the line out of the water to minimise drag and stop the feeder becoming dislodged. A starlight taped to the quiver tip will ensure you don’t miss the bites.
Good luck and enjoy your bream bagging. Feel free to send in pictures.
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