Sorry! Identification crisis again

[Barry C]

Mark

Just to recap, a Bronze Bream is the same species as a Common Bream and a skimmer is a term used for the younger of this species.

The Silver Bream is a different species and is not very widespread.

Bronze bream are commonly caught up to 3pounds still in their juvenile livery ie. very silver. All of your fish appear to fit in this group.

[chavender]

its also very hard to give a definite on bream ,because they jump into bed with any tom ,dick ,harry ,roach ,rudd etc

and hybridise faster than you can say "hows your father" ,tricky buggers are bream.

[Captain Pelvis]

the silver bream record is well over 15 oz. There is a fishery called mill farm were 1lb silvers are common and in the anlgers mail you see them quite regulary, the biggest is 2lb 1oz i think.

[Will Wilkinson]

the silver bream record is well over 15 oz. There is a fishery called mill farm were 1lb silvers are common and in the anlgers mail you see them quite regulary, the biggest is 2lb 1oz i think.

 

As far as I can see the record stands at 1lb 13oz, with a 2lb 2oz fish currently under consideration (both from mill farm). It would help if the BRFC actually published the current list - according to http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/News/record_fish_march_2007.html the list should be published on the SAA website, but there doesn't seem to be a full list there, just lists for the most commonly targeted species.

 

Will

[Chubstar]

I'm virtually certain they're Bronzies (Common Bream) another identification that's used on a water I fish is the size of the eye, being much bigger on Silver Bream, the Hybrids there also are not that snotty and are quite rough to touch too, and they actually fight quite well too!

[Will Wilkinson]

I'm virtually certain they're Bronzies (Common Bream) another identification that's used on a water I fish is the size of the eye, being much bigger on Silver Bream, the Hybrids there also are not that snotty and are quite rough to touch too, and they actually fight quite well too!

 

I'd certainly agree with hybrids giving a good account of themselves compared to pure bred bream. I fish a lake with a lot of good sized hybrids (up to around 5lb, averaging 2-3) and a 3lb hybrid goes better than an 8lb slab IMO. They're a bit less snotty, but not enough for that to be a reliable indicator of species. The best identification marks for the hybrids I've caught are fin colour and overall shape (the hybrids are distinctly fatter and slightly less deep).

 

Will

Edited January 14, 2008 by Will Wilkinson

[Mark Crame]

Thanks for all the replies everybody, really appreciated. It's good to know what I've actually caught!! I'm species hunting this year you see (specimens are alright but having caught big fish here and abroad size doesn't bother me anymore) and am aiming to get as many different species as I can from the kayak. Having so far this year had my first chub from the Waveney, First ruffe in 15 years (PB) and second (up to ninth!) Bream (inc PB) i've started well.