John Cox, a Florida-based angler, has openly shared his deep-rooted fascination with bream in a recent discussion, stating, "I’ll admit it – I am a bream freak." This passion for bream, which includes bluegills, redbreasts, and shellcrackers, significantly influences his approach to bass fishing, where he often emulates these species as a prime forage.
Growing up in the bream-rich waters of Florida, Cox explains why he leans toward this fish over others commonly found in other regions. He notes, "Florida lakes are not really shad-based lakes – it’s more about bream and shiners. As a result, I’m way more of a bream guy than a shad guy." This fondness is reflected in his tackle selections, where he rarely stocks shad imitators but favors a palette of mottled colors such as orange, purple, blue, and olive green.
The regional differences in fishing strategies strike Cox as notable, comparing the habits of anglers from different areas. "Guys who are from the TVA region of the country are more about shad. Guys from the Midwest like to talk about crawfish. The guys in the Carolinas are blueback herring experts. So being from Florida, I’m all about that bream," he remarked.
Cox elaborated on the genetic similarities between bass and bream, explaining their behaviors and reproductive practices. "A bream is from the same sunfish family as bass. Genetically speaking, bass and bream are not that far apart when compared to bass and shad, crawfish or blueback herring." Both species exhibit aggressive tendencies, a trait not shared with their more passive counterparts. He recalled an instance when shellcrackers have shown territorial dominance, stating, "Shellcrackers have been known to team up and literally push bass out of their beds, taking over their territory."
Their interactions in the water captivate Cox, comparing their dynamic to natural predator-prey relationships. He noted, "A bass is always casually watching bream, thinking, ‘I better keep an eye on those bream, a couple of them are eventually going to be my dinner.’ And the bream is like, ‘I’d better keep an eye on that bass and make sure it doesn’t get any closer.’" This ebb and flow is reminiscent of wildlife documentaries, where predators and prey maintain constant vigilance around each other.
Discussing how these observations shaped his fishing strategies, Cox disclosed, "If you wonder how I became so intrigued by bream, it’s because I used to have a pond in Florida where I would catch bream and then feed them to the bass." This practice provided him with hours of observation on the relationship between the species.
He has meticulously studied the behaviors of bream, noting their unique swimming style. "I find them to be somewhat clumsy, and I’m okay with that. Their tail wag for sudden propulsion is wider and more inconsistent than the tight, slimline streak of a shad," he explained, illustrating the subtle distinctions that support his fishing tactics.
Cox emphasizes the importance of bream patterns in his bass fishing success, revealing that many of his achievements stem from this approach. "I’ve made seven Bassmaster Classics and eight Pro Circuit Title events fishing that way. I’ve won national tournaments on Chickamauga, Smith Lake, Red River, Rayburn, Hartwell and even a Forrest Wood Cup on Wheeler with bream-oriented patterns." The connection to bream runs deep, as he often relies on them, especially during the warmer months.
While transitioning into the colder months can present challenges, he’s noticed surprising longevity in the bream spawn. "I used to think bedding bream only happened in April and May, but I’ve found them as late as August and even September," he said, hinting at the adaptability of his strategies.
Cox also appreciates how his focus on bream simplifies his approach, keeping his tackle minimal. "The great thing about my bream problem is it keeps my tackle pretty simple in a time when some guys have 25 rods on the deck." Typically, his most trusted lures include a 5-inch Berkley MaxScent General, swim jigs, a Cane Walker, a Choppo, and various Swamp Lord frogs, tailored exclusively for targeting bream.
As John Cox continues to explore and focus on bream in his bass fishing endeavors, it becomes clear that these fish are not just forage but a profound inspiration guiding his techniques and strategies in the sport.
