Thread: Winter fishing for Japanese anchovy

My good mood came back, got my 1st fishing trip in 2023 on an ice lake (an reservoir, size like lake Taupo) for Japanese anchovy which was introduced. This fish is more active in winter, not like other fishes. Small but very tasty, me and my cats, we all love it. The ice is about 45cm thick, thick enough to drive a Ute with 2 tons loads of trailer on it, I do `t have a SUV here, But those who have one, they all parked on the bank, no snow chain I guess?

Kind of fun...lots people camping there for over night fishing, not just for small fish but bigger ones, they got sonar, under water camera, tools capable to drill any size of hole through 50cm ice... Let`s say 2k dollars. Me and my wife, the old school style.



Happy new year. Next week, during the Chinese new year time, I may go for winter sea fishing, softbaits for grouper and buy some gears from local stores where all the expensive rods and reels are made and export to the world.

That's a good haul of fish....looks like snapper bait to me.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

That's a good haul of fish....looks like snapper bait to me.

Yeah. I got lot of lures and softbait like these, and it was very successful for both NI and SI `s waters.

What are they eating , why are the so active in winter?
What sort of rig …tackle/ set up are you using to target them ..

Looks really cold must have being a work out busting through the ice !

Great photos thank you for posting!

Is that saltwater? I'd be interested in the location (not trying to steal your spot.. haha)

Originally Posted by stingray

What are they eating , why are the so active in winter?
What sort of rig …tackle/ set up are you using to target them ..

Looks really cold must have being a work out busting through the ice !

Great photos thank you for posting!

The Anchovy like worms since it `s small in size only about 8-15cm, the red worm (not earth worm, very tiny worm that lives in water)is the favorite bait. I use softbait and krill powders make the smell stronger, rig and tackle was as same as for jack mackerel. Some professionals use X light tackle to maximize the joy, I only use my stream lure fishing gears but put more weight on the line.
Can `t tell exactly the reason of why it `s so active in cold winter, there are several suggestions, as said it was introduced fish so...Not very cold actually, no wind chill that day, I even did `t use my heavy winter pack. To dig hole use my tool was less than five minutes, nowadays people all using power drill which can drill through 50cm thick ice in seconds.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Is that saltwater? I'd be interested in the location (not trying to steal your spot.. haha)

It `s fresh water, an reservoir. I am still in Beijing right now, will go back after Chinese new year. If you like ice fishing, next year we can travel back to Beijing for holiday on Dec, I can show you around, and maybe you would like to visit some local dairy farm here. Ha ha, it will surprise you too

When I Google "Japanese anchovy" it comes up with a different species that is 100% saltwater. I wonder if something is lost in translation or clever marketing like rig becomes lemon fish, or filthy stinking bottom feeding catfish become basa. I'm interested in all things fishing and fishy!

Originally Posted by MB

When I Google "Japanese anchovy" it comes up with a different species that is 100% saltwater. I wonder if something is lost in translation or clever marketing like rig becomes lemon fish, or filthy stinking bottom feeding catfish become basa. I'm interested in all things fishing and fishy!

Sometime can `t get exact name across language or culture, but it is fresh water fish, like stay in clean water, rocky or sandy area. Translate into English, some say "pond smelt" but do `t live in pond. In Chinese call it 小公鱼。see this video

Anyway...this was my first time too. Old fisherman told me, I need get to head south for bigger one, better tasty one, get into the hill and searching for sandy slow current area. See you next week, maybe go hiking into some hill country ice fishing again, or go for salt water softbait fishing for groupers.

Interesting fishing black rabbit.

Originally Posted by Dundee

Interesting fishing black rabbit.

Thanks. my last ice fishing, not this one as far as I can remember it was like 30 odds years ago with a bamboo rod, and the hook was made from needle. Will do more from next week when wind stops, now the temperature at noon in city is just above zero, if on the ice with wind chill, it feels like -20c.