Steven Pryke’s Home-Water Masterclass at Gippsland Lakes

Winning on your home water can be one of the hardest tasks in tournament fishing. Expectations are higher, pressure is heavier, and familiarity can sometimes work against an angler rather than in their favour. At the Samaki-sponsored Gippsland Lakes round of the 2026 Daiwa BREAM Series, however, Steven Pryke turned local knowledge into a near-perfect two-day performance, claiming a long-awaited victory on the waterways he knows best.

Living just minutes from the arena, Pryke’s familiarity with the system runs deep. Yet despite multiple strong results over the years, a win on his home waters had eluded him—until now. Over two days of intense competition, Pryke delivered not only consistency, but history, recording the largest five-fish Day 1 limit ever registered in an ABT app event at Gippsland Lakes, before backing it up with another solid bag to secure a convincing overall win.

A Record-Breaking Start

From the outset, Pryke made it clear he was tuned into the bite. Day 1 saw him assemble an extraordinary five-fish limit registering at 7.096 kilograms, surpassing the previous record and instantly setting the benchmark for the event. In a system renowned for producing quality bream, the bag still stood out as exceptional, reflecting both the current health of the fishery and Pryke’s precise execution.

The calibre of fish told the story. His heaviest bream measured 41.5 cm fork length, supported by two 41 cm fish, a 38 cm fork, and a 36.5 cm bream—a bag where even the smallest fish could hardly be described as average. With fish of that size, Pryke had already distanced himself from much of the field, but he was well aware that Gippsland Lakes rewards consistency just as much as big numbers.

In modern Gippsland Lakes tournaments, ten kilograms over two days can place an angler well inside the top five—but winning now typically requires more. Pryke knew he would need to repeat his approach on Day 2 rather than simply defend his lead.

Rinse and Repeat

True to form, Pryke resisted the temptation to overthink his strategy. Rather than chasing new water or reinventing his approach, he focused on refining what had already worked. His tactic was deliberately simple, yet executed with extreme precision.

Both days revolved around ultra-light presentations delivered tight to structure. Pryke fished soft plastics rigged on a 1/22 oz round jighead, paired with bloodworm-style plastics, allowing an incredibly slow and natural sink rate. This setup, fished on six-pound leader connected to 12-pound braid, let him present baits delicately around docks, pylons, sticks, and shaded structure where big bream were holding.

With calm, warm conditions across the event, visibility played a major role. Pryke could often see fish sitting high in the water column, either directly spotting them or identifying subtle movements—shadows, tail flicks, or body shapes hovering beneath structure. His casts were deliberate: pitching past the fish and letting the lure slowly drift back into view, curling naturally into their line of sight.

It was a game of patience and timing. Fish either spooked instantly or committed fully, and Pryke was prepared for both outcomes. When they ate, it was usually decisively.

Gear Built for the Job

Pryke’s tackle choices reflected the demands of the environment. Fishing heavy structure with ultra-light jigheads requires gear that balances finesse with stopping power, and his setup delivered exactly that. His Samurai Infinite rod provided the sensitivity needed to detect subtle bites, while still possessing enough backbone to turn powerful fish away from cover. Matched with a 2500-size Vanford reel, the outfit allowed him to stay light yet in control throughout the fight.

Choosing six-pound leader over lighter options proved critical. Pryke explained that earlier losses on four-pound leader prompted the change, as some fish were pulling free before he could fully steer them away from danger. With the heavier leader, he focused on firm hook-sets, lifting fish quickly to clear their heads from structure before using his electric motor to guide them into open water. Once clear, he could ease off and finish the fight on his terms.

Day Two Pressure and a Late Seal

After Day 1’s heroics, Pryke returned on Day 2 knowing the field would be chasing hard. He managed to fill a limit, but early in the session it included a couple of smaller fish that left the door slightly ajar. In a system capable of dramatic late-session swings, nothing was guaranteed.

The defining moment came late in the day. On his return run, Pryke decided to make one final stop at a wind-blown point—an area that had not featured prominently for him earlier in the tournament. The flats, which had been largely unproductive throughout the event, suddenly came alive.

After boating a couple of smaller fish quickly, Pryke switched gears and picked up a hardbody lure, firing a long cast into the wind. At 1:40pm, the decision paid off. A 38 cm fork-length bream crushed the lure, delivering the upgrade he needed to solidify the win.

It was a classic Gippsland Lakes moment—one cast, one fish, and everything changed.

The Winning Numbers

Pryke closed the event with a Day 2 limit of 5.714 kilograms, bringing his total to 12.810 kilograms for ten fish. That equated to an incredible average of 1.28 kilograms per bream, a statistic that underlined both the size of the fish and the consistency of his performance across the two days.

The margin was decisive but not excessive, with Pryke finishing approximately 700 grams ahead of runner-up Mark Healy—a gap that could easily have disappeared without that final-hour upgrade. In a field stacked with talent, Pryke’s ability to execute under pressure ultimately proved the difference.

A Long-Awaited Home-Water Win

For Pryke, the victory carried extra meaning. While he has enjoyed success elsewhere—including previous wins away from Victoria—claiming a Daiwa BREAM Series round on Gippsland Lakes was something he had been chasing for years. With family and friends close by and a lifetime of experience on the system, the win felt overdue, yet deeply satisfying.

In addition to the trophy, Pryke collected $4,200 for first place, plus a $250 Mercury bonus, taking home a total of $4,450—a welcome reward after a near-flawless weekend on the water.

In his post-event reflections, Pryke was quick to acknowledge the support behind the scenes, thanking Australian Bass Tournaments for running the event, as well as his family, friends, and sponsors who had backed him throughout the season.

Simon Krause Makes It Back-to-Back at Gippsland Lakes

In tournament fishing, winning once can sometimes be written off as timing, conditions, or a favourable draw. Winning twice, at the same venue, under different circumstances, against a full field, is something else entirely. At the Samaki-sponsored Gippsland Lakes round of the 2026 Daiwa BREAM Series, Simon Krause proved exactly that, claiming the Non-Boater Division title for the second consecutive year on one of ABT’s favourite arenas.

Facing a field of 50 non-boaters, Krause delivered two near-identical daily bags built on consistency, discipline, and smart decisions from the back deck—showcasing the exact skillset required to win at the highest level as a non-boater. With calm execution across two different rivers, two different boaters, and two very different fishing styles, Krause once again stood tallest at Gippsland Lakes.

Déjà Vu on Big Bream Water

Twelve months earlier, Krause won his very first ABT event as a non-boater—also at Gippsland Lakes. At the time, few would have predicted a repeat performance, particularly at a venue known for wild swings, big fish, and punishing margins.

This year’s result made it undeniable: Krause has a genuine feel for the system.

Based in Melbourne’s western suburbs, Krause doesn’t fish Gippsland Lakes casually or regularly. But what draws him back is the same reason the venue has become legendary on the Daiwa BREAM Series circuit—size, diversity, and opportunity. The lake system rewards anglers who can adapt quickly and fish cleanly, and that combination suits Krause perfectly.

While he didn’t encounter the giant fish that dominated the Boater Division headlines, Krause compiled rock-solid limits across two days, steadily adding weight when it mattered most.

Built on Consistency

Krause’s path to victory wasn’t flashy - it was methodical. His two-day total of 5.413 kilograms edged out second place by just 95 grams, highlighting just how tight the Non-Boater Division was. His daily bags - 2.778 kg on Day 1 and 2.635 kg on Day 2 - were remarkably similar, a testament to his ability to repeat a process rather than chase moments.

Those weights equated to an average fork length in the mid-30 cm range, the kind of fish that win non-boater events not by chance, but by minimising mistakes. Importantly, Krause never struggled to fill a limit. Across both days, it was all about upgrading - sometimes by only a single centimetre - but enough to keep him moving upward on the leaderboard.

The Confidence Bait

At the core of Krause’s approach was a lure that has become synonymous with Australian bream fishing: the Z-Man Slim SwimZ.

Motor oil proved to be the standout colour, accounting for the vast majority of his fish across both days. When conditions required something different, Krause rotated through other proven options, including a Dunk and a handful of fish on Chubbies, but time and again he returned to the Slim SwimZ when it mattered.

Rigged on a 1/16 oz Atomic Seekers jighead, Krause opted for a weedless presentation, a deliberate choice shaped by his role as a non-boater. Fishing weedless allowed him to cast confidently into cover without constantly snagging or interrupting his boater’s rhythm—an often-overlooked element of non-boater success.

Equally important, weedless rigging let him keep his lure in the water longer, maximising fishing time during critical windows. Fewer re-ties meant more casts, and more casts meant more opportunities to upgrade.

Old Faithful Gear

Krause’s gear selection mirrored his overall philosophy: proven, comfortable, and trusted.

His rod of choice was a Duff Rods stick he has owned and fished with for six or seven years, a piece of equipment he knows intimately. Paired with a 2025 Daiwa Certate reel, the outfit balanced finesse and reliability—essential for fighting quality bream on light line from the back of the boat.

Line choice was similarly deliberate. Krause fished four-pound Harris Fighter leader, connected to X-Braid he had received as prize line the previous season. Light enough for finesse, strong enough for pressure—especially when upgrades could come down to a single fish.

It was a setup built for subtlety, precision, and efficiency rather than brute force.

Two Rivers, Two Styles

One of the defining aspects of Krause’s win was his ability to adapt seamlessly across two different rivers and two very different boaters.

Day 1 – Mitchell River

Krause’s first day was spent on the Mitchell River with Peter Brukel. Fishing midway up the system, they found that the bream weren’t tight to the banks as expected. Instead, the fish were holding slightly wider, sitting in deeper water zones where the first or second hop of a soft plastic triggered aggressive strikes.

These fish hit hard and decisively - clear, confident bites that rewarded clean presentations. The pair stayed just off the bank, allowing Krause room to work his weedless rig where the fish were suspended and feeding.

The result was a highly productive day, with approximately 20 fish landed, providing Krause with plenty of upgrading options en route to his opening 2.778 kg limit.

Day 2 – Tambo River

Day 2 could hardly have been more different. Krause moved to the Tambo River, sharing the boat with Cam Whittam, a long-time Gippsland Lakes competitor with over 20 years of tournament experience on the system.

This time, Whittam positioned the boat tight to the bank while Krause fished outward. Using side-scan sonar, Krause could clearly see fish sitting off the edge, targeting them with precise casts from the back deck.

The teamwork was crucial. Whittam maintained boat positioning that allowed Krause uninterrupted access to productive water—a move Krause later credited as instrumental in his win. While the overall fish count dropped to around eight to ten fish for the day, the quality remained high enough to stay competitive.

The Final-Minute Margin

Despite catching fewer fish on Day 2, Krause stayed calm. His first three fish formed the backbone of his limit, and upgrades proved hard to come by. It wasn’t until the final two minutes of the session that the moment arrived.

One precise cast produced a fish measuring 215 mm, barely a centimetre upgrade—but in an event decided by grams, it was everything. One cast, one bite, one fish—and suddenly the lead swung his way.

At weigh-in, the margins were razor thin, but Krause’s discipline over two days ensured he stayed on the right side of them.

A True Non-Boater Performance

What sets Krause’s win apart is how cleanly it was executed. Across two days, two different rivers, and two separate boaters, he adapted without friction—never interrupting boat flow, never forcing the issue, and never wasting time.

Both boaters played a role, but Krause maximised every opportunity given. On Day 2 in particular, Whittam was actively invested in helping Krause succeed, recognising early that while his own chances were slim, Krause’s were very real.

That kind of cooperation reflects the spirit of the Non-Boater Division—and Krause capitalised on it perfectly.

Back-to-Back and Looking Ahead

With his second consecutive Non-Boater Division victory at Gippsland Lakes, Krause instantly qualified for the Grand Final at Foster, adding another major milestone to his rapidly growing ABT résumé.

Now firmly established as one of the most consistent non-boaters on the circuit, Krause hinted that a move into the Boater Division could be on the cards in the future—a natural next step for a competitor who has already shown he belongs at the top level.

For now, though, his record speaks for itself. Two years. Two wins. Same venue. Same result.

At Australia’s home of giant bream, Simon Krause once again proved that consistency, confidence, and smart fishing from the back deck are a winning formula.

Click here for 2026 Daiwa BREAM Series event entry form. 
Click here for 2026 ABT Membership form. 

VENUE:

Gippsland Lakes, VIC.  
The event will be based out of Metung. 

DATES:

3/4 February 2026

ENTRY FEE:

Boater $275 / Non Boater $150. ABT Membership Required.

EVENT TYPE:

This event is being run 100% on the ABT Tournament Series App.   Here is the link to the instruction video for the app, which can be downloaded for free at the Apple App Store or from Google Play:

Click here to download the ABT Tournament Series App for iPhone. 
Click here to download the ABT Tournament Series App for Android. 

The App gives us real, live scoreboards throughout the event and is an important part of marketing this event to spectators, so it’s important to become familiar with it.  

PRE FISH BAN:

No fishing from Wednesday 21st January first light Monday the 2nd of February 2026.

PRE FISH:

From first light, Monday 2nd February 2026.

EVENT START LOCATION:

If less than 45 boats all anglers will start at Metung public boat ramp.  If over 45 boats trailering to various public ramps in the Gippsland Lakes system to start will be allowed. 
ROUGH WEATHER ONLY:  Regardless of field size, boats will be checked out at the Metung public boat ramp (ABT Staff will be there from 5:30am). Boats may then trailer to various public ramps in the Gippsland Lakes system and launch. Boats not to fish or leave ramp area until 7am each morning. Boats must be back at Metung ramp with their key tags on the board by the nominated finish time. ABT will advise at the briefing if the trailering option will need to be implemented. 

NO GO ZONES:

Competitors must obey the Lakes Entrance Transit Only Zone (TOZ). No boating or fishing in the described area.

https://www.gippslandports.vic.gov.au/news/transit-zone-entrance-port-gippsland-lakes/ 

SESSION TIMES:

Tuesday and Wednesday: 7am to 2pm. Flights will be allocated if the field is of sufficient size.

BRIEFING:

Metung Hotel, Monday 2nd February 2026. 
Back lawn outside area. Sign-in from 4pm, briefing starts at 5pm. 

PRESENTATION:

Metung Hotel back lawn ASAP after final catch card is verified and angler catches are cross checked on Wednesday 4th February. 

Entry list current as at 1st February 2026