Species Profile: Holland's Carp

Family: Cyprinidae

Scientific names: Spinibarbus hollandi

Common names: Holland’s carpHolland's carp. Photo by Taiwan East-Coast National Scenic Area.

Habitat: Running freshwater rivers and stream, with rocky or gravel bottoms.

Size range: Largest specimens can reach up to 60cm, but most caught are in the 20-30cm range.

Angling tactics: Since their primary food source is small fish and aquatic insects, most Holland’s carp are caught on artificial lures including spoons, spinners, solid plugs and soft baits (minnow imitations). The species is also a favorite among fly anglers who have success with nymphs, wet flies and small streamers.

Sleeker and more attractive than the typical carp, it almost seems a shame to call it a carp. The Holland’s bears a closer resemblance to it’s popular (among European anglers) Cyprinidae cousin, the barbel. Physically similar, the barbel and Holland’s carp belong to two different genus—spinibarbus and barbus. The Holland’s carp is distinguished by is large symmetrical scales that range in color from silver-grey to bright chrome edged by black crescent shapes. The fish’s triangular dorsal fin is also edged in black.

Found in southern China and parts of Southeast Asia, the Holland’s is a favorite among Taiwan anglers. A top predator, it is prized as a hard hitting and tough fighting river fish that fills a niche usually occupied by trout and other salmonids in less-tropical countries. The fish’s range extends to rivers on the southern and eastern sides of the island.

While specimens have been recorded up to 60cm, half that size is more common. Little information on the Holland’s, particularly with regard to angling, is available in English language literature. That included the origin of its curious common name. Rather than being a geographical reference, it most likely it refers to the biologist that first identified the species. Post a comment if you have additional information on the Holland’s carp.

Video of the Day: Japanese Angler Nails Snakehead, Tilapia,...and Shrimp

This clip is entertaining in spite of the fact that the dialog is all in Japanese. Apparently the host is something of a fishing legend in Japan. Again, I'm not sure exactly where he is fishing, but it appears to be on the outskirts of Taipei. He finishes his day out with a visit to an indoor shimp pond.

Ishigaki fishers seek pact with Taiwan, brace for China's advance

I missed this news piece the other day about the disputed Diaoyutai Islands between Japan and Taiwan. These mostly uninhabited islands are a favorite stop not only for commercial fishing boats from Japan, China and Taiwan, but also sport fishing boats looking a variety of big pelagic species like dogtooth tuna and amberjack, to name a few.

ISHIGAKI, Dec. 3, 2010 (Kyodo News International) -- Fishers from Ishigaki island in Okinawa, which has administrative jurisdiction over the disputed Senkaku Islands, have called on the central government to deal with the increasing presence of Taiwanese fishing boats in nearby waters, which they say threatens their safety and livelihood.

Ishigaki islanders have also been largely perplexed by the escalation in tensions between Tokyo and Beijing following the Sept. 7 collisions between a Chinese trawler and Japanese patrol boats near the Japan-controlled Senkakus in the East China Sea, which exacerbated a longstanding spat over the chain of five tiny uninhabited islands claimed by China and Taiwan.

Located some 170 kilometers southeast of the islands, which remain a powder keg for the three Asian economies, fishers of Ishigaki often venture into waters near the Senkakus by navigating for about six hours to reach ''a sea of treasure'' harboring tuna, bonito and snapper. Read more

Diaoyutai Islands are claimed by Taiwan, Japan and China.

Species Profile: Snakehead

Family: ChannidaeBlotched snakehead (Channa maculat)

Scientific names: Channa maculat (blotched snakehead), Channa asiatica (small snakehead), Channa micropeltes (giant snakehead)

Common names: Snakehead, blotched snakehead, giant snakehead, small snakehead, toman, haruana

Habitat: Ponds, lakes, slow streams, swamps, and canals. Can live in stagnant or low-oxygenated water. Prefers cover from which to ambush prey.

Size range: Giant snakeheads can reach sizes of 2 meters. Sizes of 50-90 cm are more common.

Angling tactics: Casting shallow running or top-water lures is the most common approach. Spinnerbaits and soft plastics can be productive. Frog imitators are the most popular snakehead lures. Braid leaders are recommended.

Maligned outside of Asia as an invasive and potentially destructive species, the snakehead has become the boogeyman of exotic fishes in the U.S. and Asia. While media reports painting a picture of an indestructible monster fish border on the ridiculous, the snakehead’s reputation as a voracious and highly adaptable predator is deserved. Specimens have been known to attack and devour largemouth bass roughly their size, and their ability to breath air with primitive lungs means that they can potentially move from one body of water to another, though rumors of specimens actually “walking” may be another bit of “fishzilla” hyperbole.

That’s all academic since we are talking about Taiwan, where the snakehead is a native species increasingly sought after by anglers, particularly with the growing popularity of lure fishing on the island. Today, anglers from Japan and other Asian countries come to Taiwan to do battle with this hard hitting game fish.

Snakeheads can be found in almost any body of still or slow-moving fresh water: ponds, lakes, even drainage canals that seem far too small to support a large predatory fish. Snakeheads will sit and wait under mats of weeds and other debris, ready to pounce on anything that moves into striking range. Other fish, amphibians, small aquatic birds, even unlucky rodents can end up on the menu.

Anglers usually throw lures near cover and try to coax a strike. Top-water lures such as poppers or anything that makes enough of a commotion to attract attention appear to work best. Frog imitators are a favorite lure among diehard local snakeheaders. Just such a lure was pushed into my hands when I inquired at a local tackle shop about the species. Most of the thrill of snakehead fishing comes from the initial strike when the greedy fish attempts to incapacitate the bait swallow it whole. What follows is usually a tug-o-war with the snakehead trying to make it back to the safety its lair and to potentially wrap your line around a submerged log or some other aquatic obstacle.

The clerk at the tackle shop recommended a braid leader because the fish’s toothy maw can easily saw through most monofilament, so also watch those fingers when unhooking!



Video of the Day: Giant Snakehead on Spinnerbaits

A crew of Japanese anglers take on a pair of monster snakeheads on a large lake Taiwan. They are apparently from Snakehead Magazine, which struck me as odd that there would be a publication devoted to this species. Strangly, all the graphics are in English. And then there is the always annoying fact that Taiwan is refered to as Chinese Taipei. This is an angling video, no need to pander to mainland China.

Species Profile: Barramundi

Family: LatidaeBarramundi

Scientific names: Lates calcarifer

Common names: Barramundi, Asian sea bass, giant sea perch

Habitat: Inshore reefs, bays, harbors, estuaries, and lagoons. Can tolerate  salt, brackish and fresh water.

Size range: Up to 200 cm.

Angling tactics: Casting solid and soft body lures is the most common tactic. Barramundi are most active inshore and in river systems in the warmer months, but can be caught year  round.

The barramundi takes its name from the Australian aboriginal word for “large-scaled river fish.” How’s that for a to-the-point description? Found from the Arabian Peninsula to East Asia, the barramundi is prized throughout the region both as an important commercial fish and a favorite of recreational anglers.  Equally at home in salt and fresh water, Australians stock many of lakes and reservoirs  with this hearty and hard-fighting fish.  The barramundi is a centerpiece of Thai cuisine and farmed extensively there and in several other Asian countries, including Taiwan.

In Taiwan barramundi can be found both in commercial fish farms, as well as coastal rivers, lagoons and harbors all along the west coast and southern tip of the island (see map). It  shares this habitat with the Japanese sea bass (Suzuki fish) and it is easy to confuse to two because of their similar coloration and general appearance. The barramundi can be distinguished from the bass by its rounded tail fin and concave back that give the fish’s head a more pointed and protruding appearance.

Barramundi are aggressive predators whose diet is comprised mainly of smaller baitfish, crustaceans and squid. Lures and saltwater flies (streamers) that imitate these seem to work best. Live and dead bait can also be productive, but live is the preferred choice.  Fish will often hold around structure and ambush passing baitfish. Dawn and dusk are considered good times for barramundi, particularly in the summer months. The peak of the tide is also optimal when fishing bays and estuaries.Japanese sea bass (suzuki) for comparison

Video of the Day: Sea Bass and Barramundi on Estuary

This is another YouTube find shot back in September by chihwei0117, a prolific Taiwan fishing video poster on the site. Unfortunately, I can’t read Chinese so I have no idea where exactly it was filmed. Most likely, it is near a river mouth on the west coast of the island. The guy and his buddies are nailing small to medium sized Japanese sea bass (Suzuki) and barramundi. Because the two species look a lot alike at first glace, you have to pause the video to tell them apart. The bass have a more or less forked tail and symmetrical head, while the barramundi have a rounded tail fin and pointed head. The anglers look to be using lightweight spinning and bait casting rods and soft plastics. Chihwei0117’s YouTube channel is full of fantastic amateur fishing videos shot around the island, including several snakehead fishing videos.



Video of the Day: Catching Barramundi and Grouper at Taiwan Fish Farm

Not sure where the coastal hotspots are for trophy fish? Don't own a boat? No worries! Taiwan supports one of the region's biggest aquaculture industries and many local fish farms will let you wet a line for a nominal fee--and you can keep and eat your catch guilt-free if you like.

I came across the video below on YouTube of a gent nailing a nice grouper and barramundi at a commercial pond. Where it is on the island I don't know, but I would love to find out if anyone does know.