2025 Daiwa BREAM Series | Tweed River (9/10 August)

Lance Marsh Secures Second Career Non-Boater Victory on the Tweed

Lance Marsh, a seasoned competitor from the Gold Coast, claimed his second career victory in the non-boater division of the Crushcity-sponsored round of the 2025 Daiwa BREAM Series, held on the Tweed River. The win adds another trophy to his collection, joining his first non-boater title from Lake Macquarie a few years earlier. For Marsh, the achievement was a mix of experience, local knowledge, and precise execution over two contrasting days on the water.

Although confident in his ability, Marsh admitted he didn’t expect to secure the win going into the event. He had, however, placed second at the same venue the previous year, and with the Tweed being only about half an hour from his home, it’s effectively part of his regular fishing grounds. He and fishing mate Joel frequently compete in QTS Series events here, giving him valuable familiarity with the river’s tides, structure, and fish behaviour.

Day One – Boyd’s Bay Bridge Bonanza

Marsh’s opening day was built around a single, highly productive location: Boyd’s Bay Bridge. Together with his boater, they anchored in this zone for approximately four hours, he worked the area methodically with a Cranka Crab. The bridge’s structure, tidal flow, and subtle bottom features proved to be an ideal combination, holding a concentration of quality fish.

“Boyd’s Bay Bridge just fired,” Marsh explained. “I reckon I pulled about 20 fish from there in four hours – just one after the other on the Cranka Crab.”

His tackle was a well-matched Daiwa outfit, starting with an Infeet SK Rod paired with a TD Black reel. He fished a UV-coloured Crabe, rigged on Daiwa Expedition Braid, and ran a six-pound leader to balance finesse with enough abrasion resistance for the bridge pylons and rubble. His approach involved casting tight to the structure, letting the lure sink on a slack line, and allowing it to drift naturally with the tide. Strikes often came well back from the bridge, around a subtle rubble pile formed by the current about a cast’s length away.

The method produced not only numbers but quality upgrades. Marsh’s day-one bag of 1.8 kilograms was a standout for the non-boater field and put him firmly in contention for the title.

Day Two – Adapting to the Draw

In the non-boater division, day-two strategy often hinges on the luck of the draw. Marsh was paired with respected angler Peter “Cashy” Cashman, and the day unfolded with a more mobile approach. The duo fished in front of Boyd’s Bay Bridge early, but strong currents, competing boat traffic, and limited space forced them to adapt.

Marsh managed two fish near the bridge before the pair moved to other areas. Progress was steady but incremental, with upgrades coming just a centimetre at a time. Patience and persistence proved critical. “It wasn’t fast fishing, but each small upgrade counted,” he said.

By the end of the session, Marsh’s bag was modest – just over a kilogram – but in a tight non-boater field, every gram mattered. His final day-two weight was 1.17 kilograms, bringing his total to 2.97 kilograms for the event.

The Nervous Wait

Heading into the weigh-in, Marsh knew he had a chance but wasn’t aware of the exact weight needed to take the win. A delay at the boat ramp meant he arrived later than expected, adding to the suspense. “I had no idea what I required,” he admitted. “I hadn’t checked the scoreboard at all. I just knew I had done what I could.”

When the scales settled, his total was enough to secure the top spot, edging out the competition and earning him the coveted non-boater title for the round.

A Win Built on Experience and Local Knowledge

Marsh’s victory showcased the importance of local knowledge, adaptability, and making the most of high-percentage spots. His deep familiarity with Boyd’s Bay Bridge, combined with a proven lure and technique, allowed him to maximise day-one opportunities. Day two required flexibility – fishing around current, boat traffic, and shared water – yet he still found enough quality fish to hold his lead.

The Tweed River’s tidal systems can be complex, with structure, depth changes, and subtle current lines playing critical roles in fish positioning. Marsh’s ability to identify and exploit these factors was central to his success. His crab approach is particularly effective in these conditions, presenting a natural profile and action that pressured bream find hard to resist.

Gear That Got It Done

Marsh’s Daiwa Infeet SK rod offered the perfect combination of sensitivity and control, crucial for detecting subtle takes in current. The TD Black reel, matched with the Daiwa Expedition Braid, provided smooth drag and casting precision. The UV-coloured Crab  proved deadly, especially when fished on six-pound leader that offered a fine balance between stealth and strength.

“I’d cast as close as I could, let a bit of line out, let it sink, and just let it drift back,” Marsh explained. “Most of the time, they’d pick it up well back from the structure.”

Acknowledgements and Support

Marsh was quick to acknowledge the role of sponsors in supporting tournament anglers. He gave special thanks to Lowrance, praising their gear and their presence at events, where they provide briefings, demonstrations, and giveaways. His mix of jig heads on the final morning reflected the flexibility needed in competitive fishing, where conditions and fish behaviour can shift rapidly.

He also credited his fishing mate Joel, with whom he regularly pre-fishes and refines techniques on the Tweed. The camaraderie and shared experience of preparation are as much a part of Marsh’s success as the gear and on-water execution.

Looking Ahead

With two non-boater titles now to his name, Marsh’s focus naturally turns to the possibility of adding a third. While joking about the aesthetic appeal of an odd number of trophies, his competitive drive remains clear. His win on the Tweed reinforces the value of persistence, local understanding, and calm execution under pressure – qualities that every aspiring non-boater can aim to develop.

The Crushcity-sponsored Tweed River round once again highlighted the venue’s ability to produce quality fishing and close competition. For Marsh, it was the perfect setting to convert experience into silverware, proving that in tournament fishing, preparation, patience, and precise execution are the keys to victory.

Click here for 2025 Daiwa BREAM Series event entry form. 
Click here for 2025 ABT Membership form. 

VENUE:
Tweed River, NSW

DATES:
9/10 August 2025

ENTRY FEE:
Boaters ($275 inc. GST), Non Boaters ($150 inc. GST)

PRE FISH BAN:
From Monday 28th July to first light Friday 8th August 2025

PRE FISH:
Friday 8th August 2025

NO GO ZONES:
See arena map on next tab. 

SESSION TIMES:
7am - 2pm

BRIEFING:
4:30pm Registration, 5:30pm Briefing
Tweed Heads South Community Centre
18 Heffron Street, Tweed Heads South

WEIGH IN:
Old Boat Harbour Park, Fingal Head

BOAT RAMPS:  
Fingal Head / Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads 

Last updated 7th August 2025