Species & Conditions
Largemouth Bass
Native to North America, it was brought to China for aquaculture in the 1980s and is now widespread in reservoirs, lakes and ponds across the south. The most studied lure fish in the world, it can be caught on almost any lure and is considered the “textbook” species of lure fishing.
Habitat
- Relates to structure and cover: weeds, fallen trees, rock piles, docks, bridge pilings
- Still or slow water, clear to moderately stained
- Farm ponds, reservoirs, lakes, park ponds
Behavior
- An ambush predator that often hides in the shade of cover, waiting for prey to swim by.
- In spring, when the water warms to about 15–20 °C, it moves shallow to build nests and spawn; males guard the nest.
- In summer it retreats deep or into shade by day and feeds shallow early and late; in fall it chases baitfish and is very active; in winter it schools up deep and turns sluggish.
Monthly activity
Depth zone
Surface · Upper · Mid · Bottom
Recommended Tackle
- Rod
- Casting M–MH 6'6"–7'2" (hard baits, Texas rigs, jigs); spinning ML–M 6'6"–7'0" (finesse plastics)
- Reel
- Baitcaster size 70–100; spinning 2500
- Line
- Straight fluoro 10–16 lb, or PE #0.8–1.2 + fluoro leader
Go-to lures
- Cover water fast with hard baits to find fish, then slow down with soft plastics on the structure where they are.
- Its mouth is rough with no sharp teeth, so you can lip it with your thumb (with big fish, don't hold them straight up by the jaw, which can injure it).
Topmouth Culter
A native Chinese predator of the upper water column, with a sharply upturned mouth and a long, silvery body. It hunts small baitfish in schools, often causing surface blow-ups. One of the most popular freshwater lure fish in China.
Habitat
- Open water in large reservoirs, lakes and rivers
- Places where baitfish gather: inflows, backwater bays, points
- Often chases bait in the shallows near shore at dawn and dusk
Behavior
- Lives mostly in the mid to upper water column; with its upward-facing mouth it attacks small fish near the surface from below.
- It travels in schools, so once you find them you can catch fish after fish.
- Most active at dawn, dusk and on overcast days; at midday in summer it usually holds deeper.
Monthly activity
Depth zone
Surface · Upper · Mid
Recommended Tackle
- Rod
- Spinning ML–M 7'6"–9'0", fast action, built for distance
- Reel
- Spinning 2500–3000
- Line
- PE #0.8–1.2 + fluoro leader 12–16 lb
Go-to lures
- When you see a blow-up, cast ahead of the school right away and retrieve fast.
- Culter have thin mouths and throw hooks easily: don't set the drag too tight, and keep constant tension during the fight.
Key waters of the Yangtze basin have been under a ten-year fishing ban since January 1, 2021, and many areas have specific rules for recreational angling. Always check local fisheries regulations before you go.
Mandarin Fish
A native Chinese bottom-dwelling ambush predator with irregular blotches on its sides, a big mouth and sharp teeth; it eats almost nothing but live fish and shrimp. Prized as table fare, it is mostly caught on soft plastics fished on the bottom.
Habitat
- Rocky banks, rock piles, crevices and steep drop-offs
- Rivers, reservoirs and lakes with some current and good water quality
- Areas with cover on the bottom
Behavior
- By day it lurks in rock crevices, weeds and other cover; it is active at dawn, dusk and night.
- Stays on the bottom and ambushes passing small fish and shrimp.
- Moves to deep water for winter and becomes more active as the water warms in spring.
Monthly activity
Depth zone
Bottom
Recommended Tackle
- Rod
- Spinning ML–M 6'6"–7'0", fast action, sensitive tip
- Reel
- Spinning 2000–2500
- Line
- PE #0.6–1.0 + fluoro leader 8–12 lb
Go-to lures
- A paddle tail on a jig head, slow-rolled or hopped along the bottom, is the classic mandarin fish technique.
- Rocky areas snag a lot; switch to a Texas rig or free rig.
Its dorsal spines are sharp and a stab really hurts. Use a fish grip or a wet cloth when unhooking, and don't grab its back bare-handed.
Northern Snakehead
A long, cylindrical and ferocious predator that can breathe air through an organ above its gills, so it survives even in shallow, low-oxygen weedy ponds. Fishing hollow-body frogs over matted vegetation in summer is the signature technique.
Habitat
- Shallow ponds, ditches and lake edges thick with weeds
- Areas covered by water lilies, lotus pads and duckweed
- Warm, still water
Behavior
- It surfaces regularly to breathe, so watch for breathing bubbles to locate it.
- Very territorial and aggressive; in summer the parents guard balls of fry.
- Loves warm water: most active in summer, and nearly stops feeding in winter.
Monthly activity
Depth zone
Surface · Upper
Recommended Tackle
- Rod
- Casting H–XH 7'0"–7'6", fast action, strong backbone
- Reel
- Heavy-duty high-speed baitcaster
- Line
- Straight PE #4–8
Go-to lures
- After a strike, wait until you feel weight on the rod, then set hard and drag the fish out of the weeds immediately.
- Snakehead have sharp teeth; use long-nose pliers to unhook them.
If a guarding parent is caught, its fry often don't survive, so many anglers avoid targeting snakehead that are guarding fry.
Hook Snout Carp · Stream Fish
Chinese Hook Snout CarpA small predator of clear streams; breeding males are brightly colored, and it has a large, curved mouth. Often found mixed with other stream fish such as the pale chub (Zacco platypus), it is the main target of micro lure fishing: light tackle, lots of fun.
Habitat
- Clear, flowing mountain streams and small rivers
- Seams between fast and slow water, eddies behind rocks
- Where riffles meet deep pools
Behavior
- Feeds in the mid to upper water column, chasing aquatic insects and small fish.
- Easily spooked: approach quietly and keep your shadow off the water.
Monthly activity
Depth zone
Upper · Mid
Recommended Tackle
- Rod
- UL 5'0"–6'0", fast action or solid tip
- Reel
- Spinning 500–1000, or a BFS baitcaster
- Line
- PE #0.2–0.4 + fluoro leader 2–4 lb, or mono 2–4 lb
Go-to lures
- Small 0.5–3 g spoons, spinners and minnows are the standard.
- Use barbless hooks for quick, harmless release.
Yellowcheek
A large, torpedo-shaped and extremely fast freshwater predator that can exceed 1 m, nicknamed the “bully of fresh water.” It mostly hunts schools of baitfish in the upper water column of big reservoirs and rivers.
Habitat
- Open water in large reservoirs, lakes and rivers
- Points, eddies and inflows where baitfish school
Behavior
- It hunts with high-speed runs and hits hard, with explosive power once hooked.
- It follows schools of baitfish and roams widely.
Monthly activity
Depth zone
Upper · Mid
Recommended Tackle
- Rod
- Spinning or casting MH–H 7'6"–8'6", fast action
- Reel
- Spinning 3000–4000, or a large baitcaster
- Line
- PE #1.5–2.5 + fluoro leader 20–30 lb
Go-to lures
- The strike hits with a huge jolt, so set your drag beforehand.
- A fast retrieve draws more strikes than a slow one.
Amur Catfish
A nocturnal bottom predator with a wide mouth, a pair of barbels on each jaw and no scales. It hides in holes or cover by day and comes out to feed at night.
Habitat
- Mud bottoms or cover in rivers, lakes and reservoirs
- Under bridge pilings, docks, rock holes and fallen trees
Behavior
- Finds prey mainly by smell and lateral line, and is sensitive to vibration and sound.
- Most active at night and on dark, rainy days.
Monthly activity
Depth zone
Bottom · Mid
Recommended Tackle
- Rod
- M–MH, around 7'0"
- Reel
- Baitcaster or spinning 3000
- Line
- PE #1.5–2 + fluoro leader 16–20 lb
Go-to lures
- Loud, high-vibration lures (spinnerbaits, rattling baits) work better at night and in muddy water.
- Its mouth has bands of fine teeth; use a tool to unhook it.
Rainbow Trout (Stocked Ponds)
Rainbow TroutA cold-water salmonid. In China it is mostly fished in managed pay ponds (“area trout”): you pay by the session and use micro spoons, small minnows and barbless single hooks, with an emphasis on skill and catch & release.
Habitat
- Man-made ponds or streams at managed fisheries (main season fall through spring)
- Some stocked cold-water streams
Behavior
- Prefers cold water (about 10–18 °C) and becomes much less active when it warms up.
- Very sensitive to color and retrieve speed, and its mood changes quickly through the day.
Monthly activity
Depth zone
Upper · Mid · Bottom
Recommended Tackle
- Rod
- UL–L 5'6"–6'2", soft-action rod made for pay ponds
- Reel
- Spinning 1000–2000
- Line
- Mono or fluoro 2–4 lb, or PE / ester #0.2–0.4 + leader
Go-to lures
- Almost all managed fisheries require barbless single hooks.
- Start bright and fast, then switch to darker colors and slower speeds as the fish wise up.
Several wild salmonids (such as taimen and lenok) are nationally protected wildlife in China; catching them is strictly prohibited.
Spotted Sea Bass
Saltwater / estuaryA common predator of coasts and estuaries that can move into brackish and even fresh water. The most popular saltwater lure fish, caught on minnows, sinking pencils, VIBs and soft plastics, timed around the tides.
Habitat
- Estuaries, harbors, breakwaters, rocky reefs
- Channels with strong tidal flow and current seams
- Lit piers at night
Behavior
- It moves with the tide to feed; the turn of the tide is often the bite window.
- At night it gathers under lights to feed on small fish.
Monthly activity
Depth zone
Surface · Upper · Mid · Bottom
Recommended Tackle
- Rod
- Spinning ML–M 8'6"–10'0"
- Reel
- Spinning 3000–4000
- Line
- PE #0.8–1.5 + fluoro leader 16–25 lb
Go-to lures
- Check the tide table and fish when the tide is moving.
- Rinse saltwater gear with fresh water after use to prevent corrosion.
Seasons & Water Temperature
| Season | Fish mood | Where to look | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early spring (water < 12 °C) | Slow metabolism, unwilling to chase | Sunny, sheltered shallow bays next to deep water | Slow jerk-and-pause with suspending jerkbaits, hopping VIBs, drop shot, Ned rig |
| Spring (pre- and post-spawn) | Feeding actively, gradually moving shallow, then nesting and spawning | Shallow bays, hard bottom, sunny banks | Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, weightless, Texas rigs; release fish during the spawn |
| Summer | Avoid the heat by day, active early and late | Shallows early and late; by day shade, under weeds, deep water, inflows | Topwaters early and late; Texas rigs, jigs and drop shot by day |
| Fall | Feeding heavily, chasing schools of baitfish | Follow the bait: bay mouths, points, open flats | Minnows, VIBs, spinnerbaits, pencil baits; cover water fast |
| Winter | Schooled up deep, moving little | Deep holes, steep drop-offs, deep structure | Go slow: drop shot, jigs, jigging spoons, lift-and-fall VIBs |
Water Clarity & Color
| Water clarity | How fish mainly find prey | Color | Lure traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear (visibility > 1.5 m) | Sight | Natural, translucent, baitfish colors (silver, gray, green back) | Light line, downsized lures, natural action |
| Stained | Sight + lateral line | Natural with some flash, or gold and red | Most lures work |
| Muddy (visibility < 0.5 m) | Lateral line (vibration, sound) | High contrast: chartreuse, solid white, or dark silhouettes like black | Strong vibration and noise: spinnerbaits (Colorado blades), rattling baits, wide-wobbling crankbaits |
Color rules are a starting point, not laws. Match the hatch with local baitfish colors first; if nothing happens, switch to high-contrast colors.
Weather, Light & Wind
| Conditions | Fish tendency | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny, calm, bright | Tuck into shade and cover, or go deep | Precise presentations to cover and shade; finesse plastics; light line |
| Overcast, low light | Leave cover and roam to feed | Cover water fast with moving baits: crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters |
| Dawn and dusk | Peak activity for most predators | Topwaters and hard baits |
| Windy | Wind pushes plankton and baitfish onto the windward bank, and surface chop makes fish less wary | Fish the windward bank first; spinnerbaits, crankbaits, VIBs |
| Rain, inflows | Inflows bring food and oxygen | Inflows and mud lines between stained and clear water |
Structure & Cover
| Environment | Recommended lures |
|---|---|
| Open water, flat shallows | VIBs, minnows, metal jigs, pencil baits, swimming jig heads |
| Over submerged weeds | VIBs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, weightless soft jerkbaits |
| Weed mats, water lilies, lotus pads | Frogs, punching Texas rigs |
| Fallen trees, branches | Square-bill crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Texas rigs, jigs |
| Rocky banks, gravel slopes | Crankbaits, football jigs, Ned rigs, jig-head plastics |
| Bridge pilings, dock posts, steep walls | Drop shot, weightless wacky, jigs on the fall |
| Seams between fast and slow water in rivers | Inline spinners, minnows, jig-head plastics (drifted with the current) |
If unsure, filter by conditions with the Lure Finder.