Freshwater Β· Late spring through fall; best in warm water from May to October
Black Amur Bream
Megalobrama terminalis
The black Amur bream β the Guangdong bream β is the deep-bodied bream of the Pearl River system. It forms a north-south pair with the Wuchang bream of the Yangtze: the Wuchang bream is a Yangtze fish with a slightly shorter, deeper body, while this Pearl River fish ranges only in the south and carries a somewhat longer, less extremely deep frame. A classic herbivorous target of Cantonese float anglers.
Seasons Β· Peak
Identifying features
- Deep, strongly compressed diamond-shaped body β but a touch longer and less deep than the Wuchang bream
- Small terminal mouth with a slightly upturned lower jaw, no barbels
- Dark grey-green back, silvery flanks; fins dusky, tail fork often edged dark
- High hump rising steeply behind the head to the dorsal fin
- Scales medium-sized with dark edges forming a faint net pattern
Habits
- A plant eater: grazes algae, soft weeds and fallen vegetable matter
- Holds over deep edges and slow bends by day, moving shallow to feed at dusk
- Forms modest schools in big rivers and reservoirs
- Bites delicately β famous for light, suspicious takes on float tackle
- Spawns in flowing water in early summer over gravel
Distribution
Regional coverage expanding
Where to find them
- Deep edges and drop-offs of big river bends
- Slow water below dam outflows and bridge piers
- Weed-fringed bays of South China reservoirs
Where they live
How to catch them
Taiwan-style float fishing on the bottom Lake
Rig: ε°ι float rig with fine line and small hooks, grass/herb dough pinched on the hook, fished hard on the bottom over a baited area
Bait/lure: Grass/herb dough, fermented grain, corn
Key tip: Build the swim with grain chum and strike at the slightest lift of the float β breams test the bait before eating.
Traditional float fishing over deep edges River
Rig: Long rod with a traditional float rig fished over deep edges and slow bends, bait just on the bottom
Bait/lure: Soft dough, corn, weed baits
Key tip: Fish the last two hours of light, when schools slide up the edge to feed.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Light to medium float rod (ε°ι rod)
- Line: 4-8 lb mono
- Terminal: Fine floats, small hooks, dough-bait accessories
Recommended gear for this species
Rod Β· Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
β US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies Β· Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
β US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library β never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 10-16 in and 1-3 lb; large fish to about 20 in
On the table
Excellent β fine, sweet flesh with the bream family's many fine bones; steamed whole in Cantonese style.
Similar species
Wuchang BreamWuchang bream is the Yangtze species with a shorter, even deeper diamond body; black Amur bream is a Pearl River fish, slightly longer-bodied and less deep, and the two do not overlap in the wild
Common CarpCommon carp is long and cylindrical with barbels and a fully serrated dorsal spine; the bream is a deep, thin diamond with no barbels and a small mouthRegulations vary by area and can change in-season β always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide β
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