Freshwater Β· Spring and autumn best in stocked reservoirs; early morning in summer
Yellowtail Dace
Xenocypris davidi
The yellowtail dace is a bottom-scraping ε°ι favourite of lakes and reservoirs south of the Yangtze β a silvery xenocypris with a yellow tail that feeds nose-down over baited spots.
Seasons Β· Peak
Identifying features
- Silvery, moderately deep body with a distinctly yellow tail fin
- Small, low, transverse mouth with a hard scraping lower lip for grazing the bottom
- Back grey-green, flanks bright silver in clean reservoir fish
- Dorsal fin short-based; anal fin also often yellow-tinted
- No barbels β the scraping mouth and yellow tail separate it from most look-alikes
Habits
- Lives in lakes and reservoirs south of the Yangtze River
- Feeds on algae, organic detritus and small invertebrates scraped from mud and rock
- Moves in schools over flats, visiting baited spots in waves
- Natural waters of the Yangtze system are under a fishing ban, so angling centres on stocked reservoirs and managed waters
- Bites best in spring and autumn; in summer it feeds early and late
Distribution
Regional coverage expanding
Where to find them
- Baited ε°ι spots over mud flats in stocked reservoirs
- Reservoir arms where inflowing streams drop silt
- Points and gentle slopes with algae-covered bottom
Where they live
How to catch them
ε°ι bottom fishing over a baited spot Lake
Rig: ε°ι rod, fine float rig with tiny hooks, bait just touching bottom over a groundbaited mud flat
Bait/lure: Fine dough baits, commercial xenocypris baits
Key tip: Build the spot with scraping-type groundbait and wait for the school to arrive in waves; bites are small lifts and dips of the float.
Traditional float fishing with scraping baits Lake
Rig: Light float rod fished over algae and mud with algae-rich paste baits
Bait/lure: Algae paste, dough
Key tip: Fish early morning over a pre-baited slope; keep feed going little and often to hold the school.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: ε°ι rod 12-15 ft or light float rod
- Line: 3-6 lb mono
- Terminal: Tiny hooks, fine floats, light shot
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 6-10 in; large fish to about 14 in
On the table
Good β a tasty small food fish in the south, though fine-boned like other dace.
Similar species
Mud CarpMud carp is deeper-bodied with a rounder snout, fleshy lips and no yellow tail; yellowtail dace is slimmer, brighter silver and always shows the yellow tail and scraping lower lip
Silver DaceSilver dace (Xenocypris argentea) is a paler, more silvery congener without the strong yellow tail colour; yellowtail dace shows clear yellow in the tail and anal finRegulations 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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