2025 Samaki BREAM Queensland Open

Luke Rogan Claims His First Queensland Open Title with Record-Class Bag

The 2025 Samaki BREAM Queensland Open delivered another chapter in elite bream tournament fishing, with Brisbane angler Luke Rogan etching his name onto the iconic bronze trophy, “Geoff,” for the first time. After years of consistent top-five finishes, Rogan finally secured the win with a two-day total of 6.79kg, bolstered by one of the heaviest single-day bags ever weighed at an ABT event on the Gold Coast.

While his second-day performance was modest by his standards, it was the remarkable 4.676kg bag he landed on Day 1 in the Gold Coast canals that set the tournament on fire and proved too much for the rest of the field to overcome. Rogan’s strategic execution, precise lure selection, and years of experience in Southeast Queensland waters all came together to deliver the victory.

A Monumental Day One at Sovereign

The foundation of Rogan’s win was laid at Sovereign Islands, a location long known to bream anglers for its structure-rich environment and big-fish potential. With no pre-fishing under his belt—he chose to work the official pre-fish day—Rogan relied on his knowledge and a well-developed milk run that has served him in past events.

He began his day on the outside edges, prospecting structure without much success. Then came the switch—moving into one of his milk run spots where he quickly found fish stacked. What followed was an incredible morning session where the quality and aggression of the fish shocked even the seasoned tournament angler.

“If it wasn’t a big one, it was a little one—and it was just spewing everywhere,” Rogan recalled.

Rogan’s first hook-up was an aggressive strike that immediately dusted him. Rather than risk losing more gear, he re-tied his rig from scratch every time. It paid off: within a few casts, he landed a 35cm forker—a near-kilo fish and a Gold Coast kicker by any standard. But the real highlight was still to come.

After pulling a GT from the same area and assuming another hit was a second trevally, Rogan cranked the fish in, only to see the flash of a massive white bream beneath the surface. The fish had completely crushed all but one treble on his crankbait, and Rogan was holding his breath as he brought it boatside.

That fish—a 40.5cm forker—was one of the largest ever weighed in an ABT Gold Coast event. Registering in the app at approximately 1.48kg, it fell just short of the long-standing 1.54kg Gold Coast record. Nonetheless, it was a defining fish in what turned out to be a historic bag.

The Gear That Got It Done

Rogan’s tackle choices were deliberate and tested. He ran Edge Rods paired with Toray braid and leader combinations. While he started the day on lighter setups, it became clear that a bit of extra strength was necessary to keep the hooks in while wrenching big fish from tight cover.

“I think I was running 12lb Toray braid with 8lb leader,” Rogan said. “By the end of the day, I was up to 14lb leader. I’ve been using the extra-hard Toray leader—it's stiff and tough, and it does the job.”

The rod choice was just as important as the terminal tackle. He emphasized that the rod’s softer action was critical in keeping treble hooks pinned during aggressive fights with big fish.

Lure-wise, the standout was the heavy olive Cranka Crab, which accounted for both his two biggest fish in the canals. Rogan estimates he went through about 20 of them on Day 1—a significant investment, but worth every cent with $5,000 on the line. He also worked bent minnows and the Duo Realis MR-52 crankbait to mix things up across pontoons and canal walls.

“Crabs on the outside, cranks and minnows on the inside,” Rogan said, describing the varied but targeted approach that helped him milk every location for opportunities.

Day Two: Holding on in Moreton Bay

With a 600-gram lead going into Day 2, many assumed Rogan could coast to victory. But as is often the case in Moreton Bay, nothing came easy. The tides didn’t align as hoped, and key locations didn’t fire.

“I thought I’d go out and do another four kilos and it’d be all over,” he said. “But the Bay didn’t deliver.”

He started at the Brisbane River rock wall—normally a reliable bite—but found it lifeless. No bait, no activity, and few signs of fish. He made a quick decision to change plans and relocate to the infamous “poo chute” at Luggage Point, officially known as the treated water outlet.

There, a timely switch to a small plastic—the Pro Lure Jerk Shad—delivered immediate results. His first cast didn’t even reach the bottom before being intercepted. That fish, a 28cm model, was his biggest of the day.

Rogan built a full bag in the area but couldn’t find the upgrades he needed. And just as he was entering fish details into the ABT Live App, a nearby cast netter set up next to him, disrupting the water and ending his hopes of extracting more from the spot.

“I thought, well, that’s the sign. Time to move on,” Rogan said.

He returned to the rock wall to no avail, then made a last-ditch run to Mud Island. There, he fished some familiar edges and made minor upgrades, but heartbreak followed as he hooked and lost what felt like a proper kicker just before it was time to head back to the ramp. His final cast of the day produced a solid hit and flash, but it turned out to be a swallowtail dart—not the bream he needed.

Despite the lacklustre 2.114kg bag on Day 2, it was enough. Rogan’s day 1 heroics had built a buffer that no other angler could overcome.

The Road to the Win

What makes Rogan’s win even more impressive is that he did it with minimal preparation. Having not fished for bream in the three to four weeks prior, and choosing work over the official pre-fish, he relied entirely on experience, intuition, and instinct.

“I just enjoy it more that way,” Rogan said.

While he’s no stranger to the podium, this win completes the set. He’s had just about every finish in the top five over the years—except first. Now, with Jeff in hand, Rogan joins the elite club of Queensland Open champions.

Lessons for the Field

Rogan’s approach to this tournament offered several takeaways for competitive bream anglers:

• Fish Memory and History Matter: His performance proved that deep knowledge of specific areas—like Sovereign and the Brisbane rock wall—can outperform even intensive pre-fishing if paired with smart tactical adjustments.
• Adapt and Improvise: The quick pivot to plastics on Day 2 and the willingness to jump locations under pressure demonstrated a calm, competitive mindset crucial for multi-day formats.
• Gear Up When Needed: Running 12–14lb leader and sticking with robust rods gave Rogan the edge needed to land critical fish in structure-heavy environments. It’s a reminder that finesse isn't always the answer, especially when fish are aggressive and holding tight.
• Read the Tides: Rogan’s tide-dependent strategy showed both its power and its limitations. When it aligns, it delivers results. When it doesn’t, backup plans and quick thinking become essential.

Thanks and Looking Forward

Rogan acknowledged the support from sponsors, including Shorty and the team at Fish-Tec, as well as his wife, who he joked would be negotiating her share of the $5,000 prize.

He confirmed he’ll be back to defend his title in 2026—and maybe even get some pre-fish in next time.

Whether or not he preps for the next one, Rogan’s 2025 win will go down as one of the most memorable performances in Queensland Open history. A blistering Day 1 bag, tactical diversity, and a cool head under pressure proved the winning combination.