Skip to content 
A small fish often used as bait, the rotan has several names. Some fishermen call it a "golovushka" (firebrand), others a "grassfish," but the essence remains the same. This fish is unique in that it is the only representative of its genus (golovushka), and that's not all this fish has to offer.
You won't be able to catch this toothy little fish on trophy tours of the Putorana Plateau, as in Siberia it's found only in the Ob and Irtysh rivers. The rotan hasn't yet reached the cold waters of the protected area, although it would likely thrive in the local waters.
Features of the fish
This predator, with three rows of sharp teeth, is somewhat similar to a goby and a perch, but they are not related in any way. In the mid-20th century, fishermen generally believed this specimen to be a simple mutant. But it turned out that the grass fish is actually a distinct species and genus.
Another unique characteristic of the rotan is that it can be frozen alive, and after defrosting, the fish comes back to life. This is a unique find for anglers. In its habitat, strange things happen. Anglers have reported the following:
· You go fishing for crucian carp and can’t catch anything at all, not even a small specimen.
· In other cases, on the contrary, large fish bite like crazy. They come in droves to every cast, attacking any bait presented.
To this day, none of the fishermen can understand why this happens.
What does a rotan (grass rotan, firebrand) look like?
Inhabiting many rivers in Russia, such as the Ural, Amur, Volga, Danube, Ob, and others, this small predator looks like this:
· The body is short, dense, covered with spots or uneven stripes.
The color matches the bottom. It's most often gray-green or brownish. If the pond has a sandy bottom, the fish will be a light, sandy color.
During the mating season, the fish changes color and develops a menacing growth on its head, resembling a pine cone. The individual becomes dark or even black. This is where one of its names comes from (the "burnt wood" fish), as it resembles charred wood.
· The predator's head is large, disproportionate to the body, occupying one third of the entire body.
· The mouth is large, filled with several rows of sharp, small teeth.
· There are spines on the gill covers.
The fish has distinctive fins. The front fin on the back is much smaller than the rear fin. There are small fins on the belly, and larger ones near the head. The anal fin, which projects like a keel, is also short.
These fish are typically small, typically 15-25 cm, but under certain conditions, rotan can reach up to 0.5 meters and weigh up to 1 kg. This depends on the available food in the reservoir. However, landing a giant is very rare.
How to catch rotan?
Sometimes, landing this voracious predator is possible with a piece of fishing line and hooks, but most often, rotans are caught using rods with bite alarms and jigs. The fish greedily attack the bait and swallow it deeply. To avoid cutting their hands, anglers use tweezers or a gape catcher.
When rigging a fishing rod, it's essential to have hooks with long shanks. Predators in the water sometimes bite in snags and coastal thickets, and the depth can vary. You can entice a predator to attack by playing with the rod, just like in ice fishing.
Another effective fishing tackle is spinning. Light or ultra-light rods are ideal. Small silicone lures, wobblers, and vibrotails are used as lures. Light-colored lures are used during the day, while darker ones are used in the evening.
Briefly about the main thing
A unique, one-of-a-kind predator, the rotan possesses many characteristics. Some remain mere hypotheses. For example, the origins of the genus of the rotan, as well as how and where this fish appeared in many bodies of water across the country.
Fishermen enjoy fishing for this predatory species. Its attacks are sharp, and the rotan rarely escapes the hook, swallowing the bait as long as possible. Catching a large grass roach is generally considered a stroke of luck, as they are very rare in nature.
