Mandarin fish are widely distributed and are a typical target for lure fishing. Their aggressive bites are often described by anglers as “electriclike bites.” For beginners, choosing the right gear based on fishing environments and budgets is key—and here’s how to do it.
First, understand the mandarin fish’s habits: it is a benthic fish (lives near the water bottom), preferring to hide in rock crevices or cover in clean, flowing water to hunt. Typical fishing spots include power station outflows, rocky piles at depth transitions in reservoirs/streams, and coastal gravel areas that extend underwater.
1. Lures
To reach the mandarin fish’s hiding spots near the bottom, use lures like leadheaded jigs paired with curlytailed or Ttailed soft baits. The lure’s weight depends on water flow speed and depth: for example, in deep (over 5 meters), fastflowing water (e.g., power station outflows), lures under 10 grams will be swept away by currents—so use 10g, 15g, or heavier lures instead.
2. Lure Rods
Hardness (Power)
Rod hardness depends on lure weight and environment:
Deep, fastflowing water: Choose MH (MediumHeavy) or H (Heavy) power rods (to withstand water pressure and prevent fish from escaping into rock crevices after hooking).
Slowflowing shallow water: Opt for M (Medium) or ML (MediumLight) power rods.
Calm streams: Use L (Light) or ML (MediumLight) power rods.
Action (Flexibility)
Rod action depends on lure type:
For soft baits: Pick Fast or ExtraFast action rods. These let you better sense underwater structures, control the lure’s depth, and detect subtle fish bites—critical for mandarin fish fishing.
For hard baits (e.g., longtongued minnow lures, crankbaits, vibration lures): Choose Medium action rods (bends more toward the rod tip, ideal for the exaggerated, natural movement of hard baits). MediumFast action rods work too but are less comfortable.
3. Reels
The key factor is gear ratio:
For soft bait setups: Use high gear ratio reels (7:1 or higher). They enable fast line retrieval—great for flexible lure control and pulling hooked fish out of cover quickly to avoid escapes.
For hard baits (e.g., minnows): Use low gear ratio reels. They help maintain the bait’s natural swimming posture, making it easier to handle.