Advanced Tactics for Lure Fishing Mandarin Fish in Reservoirs (Part 2)

Okay, let’s be real—mandarin fish (those sleek, aggressive freshwater predators) are like the rockstars of the fishing world. They’re spread all over China’s rivers and reservoirs, north to south, and every angler I know has a story (or a dozen) about chasing them with lures. If you read my first post on Reservoir Lure Fishing for Mandarin Fish: Basic Tips, you already know the basics. But today? We’re diving into the real stuff—lure presentation tricks that’ll make those mandarins lose their minds. No more “maybe next time”… we’re talking guaranteed bites if you do this right. Let’s go!

First Rule: Your Lure Must Hit the Bottom (Even If It Scares You)

Let’s cut to the chase—reservoirs are big, deep, and full of hidden spots where mandarins lurk. If you’re casting a lure and it’s just floating mid-water? You’re wasting your time. Those fish are bottom-dwellers, hiding in rocks, sunken trees, or muddy crevices. So here’s the move:

• Cast that lure as far as you can (aim for those dark, murky spots—they’re mandarin hotspots).
• Wait. Wait a second until you feel the lure thud the bottom. Don’t yank it up immediately—let it sit for 2-3 seconds. That’s when the magic happens.
• Now, slowly reel in a few inches, then gently lift your rod tip. Not a huge “jerk”—more like a soft “nudge.” This makes the lure mimic a tiny shrimp or minnow scurrying along the bottom. It’s irresistible.

And yeah, I know—everyone panics about “hanging up” (lure stuck on rocks). But here’s the truth: if you’re not getting snagged sometimes, you’re not fishing where the mandarins are. I’ve lost 10 lures in one day and still come home with a 5-fish limit. It’s part of the game. Deal with it (or buy cheaper lures—your call).

Summer Mandarin Fishing: Obstacles = Bite Zones (Don’t Run Away!)

Summer is when mandarins go crazy—water’s warm, they’re hungry, and they’re hiding in every nook and cranny. But here’s a pro tip: obstacles are your friends. If your lure hits a sunken log, a cluster of weeds, or a rock pile? Stop reeling. Here’s what to do:

• Give the rod a tiny upward twitch (like you’re flicking a crumb off your shirt).
• Slowly drag the lure around the obstacle, not over it. Mandarins love ambushing prey that’s trying to escape a tight spot.
• When the lure finally clears the obstacle? Watch your rod tip. That’s when a big mandarin will explode out of nowhere to strike. I’ve had more than one fish hit my lure right as it came off a log—it’s like they’re waiting for the “escape” moment.

Last summer, I was fishing a reservoir with a buddy, and his lure got stuck on a sunken tree. Instead of yanking it free, he did this twitch-drag move… and boom—18-inch mandarin on the line. We still tease him about “accidentally” catching a monster, but let’s be real: he knew the trick.

Shore Fishing in Summer: Target the “Edge” (50cm Off the Bottom)

Okay, so this one’s for all my shore anglers (no boats, no fancy gear—just you, your rod, and the bank). Mandarins love hanging out in the “edge zone” near shore—where the water drops off from shallow to deep. Here’s how to hit that spot:

• Cast your lure so it lands right at the edge of the drop-off (you can see this by the water color—shallow is light, deep is dark).
• Let it sink until it’s about 50cm (that’s ~20 inches for us Americans) off the bottom. How do you know? Count: 1-Mississippi, 2-Mississippi… until you feel the line go slack a little (that means it’s off the bottom).
• Slowly reel in, keeping the lure at that 50cm depth. Don’t lift it up—keep it steady. Mandarins here are hiding in the shadows, waiting for prey to pass by.

Pro move: If you’re fishing near a small cove or a “corner” of the shore (where two banks meet), double down here. Those are mandarin “hangouts”—they love the cover of the cove and the deep water nearby. I caught my personal best (20-inch mandarin) in a tiny cove last July using this exact method. My hands were shaking so bad I could barely reel it in!

Boat Fishing: The “Jump” Trick for Finicky Fish

Okay, so you’ve got a boat—lucky you! But even on a boat, sometimes mandarins just aren’t biting. They’re staring at your lure like it’s a plastic toy. What do you do? The Jump Trick.

Here’s how it works:

• Cast your lure out, let it sink to the bottom, then reel it in slowly (like you’re normal).
• When the lure is about 1-2 meters from the boat (so you can see it if the water’s clear), jerk your rod tip up sharply—this makes the lure “jump” 30-40cm out of the water (okay, maybe not out of the water, but close).
• Let it fall back down naturally. Don’t reel—just let it sink. Repeat this 3-4 times.

Why does this work? Because mandarins are curious. If a lure suddenly “jumps” and then falls back, it looks like a fish that’s injured or confused. And confused fish are easy prey. I’ve used this trick when nothing else worked—last month, I was on a boat with three friends, and we couldn’t get a bite for 2 hours. Then I tried the Jump Trick… and within 10 minutes, we had 4 mandarins in the cooler. My friends still ask me to teach them that one!

Why You’re “Feeling Bites” But Not Catching Fish (The 3 Big Reasons)

Let’s be honest—this is the most frustrating thing ever. You feel a tap-tap on your rod, reel in… and nothing. Or worse, you feel a hard hit, reel in, and the lure’s clean. What gives? I’ve been there—so let’s break down the 3 reasons this happens:

1. The “Test Bite” (Mandarins Are Smart)

Mandarins aren’t dumb. If they see a lure that looks “off” (maybe it’s too shiny, or the color’s wrong), they’ll test it first. They’ll swim up, bump it with their nose, or even take a tiny bite to see if it’s real. That’s the “tap-tap” you feel. Here’s what to do:

• Stop reeling immediately. Don’t jerk the rod—don’t do anything. Just let the lure sit there.
• After 2-3 seconds, slowly reel in 1-2 inches, then stop again. This mimics a real fish that’s “shocked” from the bump.
• Most of the time, the mandarin will come back and take a full bite. I’ve had this happen 10+ times—you just have to be patient.

2. The “Missed Strike” (Mandarins Have Bad Aim?)

Sometimes, that hard hit you feel is a real bite—but the mandarin missed. Why? Maybe the water’s murky, or the lure was moving too fast. Or maybe it’s just a young mandarin (more on that next). Here’s the fix:

• When you feel a hit, don’t set the hook right away. Wait 1 second. Let the mandarin get the lure fully in its mouth.
• Then, set the hook with a sharp upward jerk (not a huge one—just enough to bury the hook).

Pro tip: If you’re using a soft plastic lure (like a grub or minnow), this is extra important. Soft plastics are “squishy,” so the mandarin might take a little longer to get it in its mouth. I learned this the hard way—lost 3 fish in one day because I set the hook too fast.

3. Young Mandarins (They’re Still Learning)

Let’s face it—baby mandarins are terrible at fishing. They’re hungry, but they don’t know how to hit a lure correctly. So they’ll swim up, take a half-bite, or even just bump the lure with their tail. That’s the “light tap” you feel. Here’s what to do:

• Use a smaller lure. Young mandarins have small mouths—big lures are too hard for them to bite.
• Slow down your retrieve. Young fish don’t swim fast—so a slow-moving lure is easier for them to target.

Last spring, I was fishing a small reservoir and catching a ton of “light taps.” I switched to a tiny 2-inch grub (instead of my usual 4-inch one)… and boom—5 small mandarins in 20 minutes. They were tiny, but it was still fun!

One Last Rule (That No One Talks About)

Okay, so I’ve given you all the tricks—but there’s one thing I have to mention: summer boat fishing for mandarins is a no-go… if you’re using a “professional fishing boat.” Wait, why? Because those big boats make too much noise, and they scare the mandarins away. Stick to shore fishing in summer—trust me, the fish are closer to the bank anyway.

And hey, if you’re new to this? Don’t get discouraged. I’ve had days where I didn’t catch a single fish. But when you do land that first mandarin? It’s worth every lost lure, every snag, every “almost” bite. There’s nothing like the feeling of a mandarin fighting on your line—they’re strong, fast, and they put up a fight like no other fish.

So go out there, try these tricks, and let me know how it goes. If you catch a monster? Tag me in your photos—I’d love to see it. And remember: the best part of fishing isn’t the catch—it’s the time spent on the water, away from the noise, just you and the fish. Now go get ’em!