The skygazer is a predator from the carp family.

Many of us mistakenly believe that all members of the carp family must be peaceful. In extreme cases, as autumn approaches, some of them develop several blunt teeth, and peaceful individuals begin to devour their own kind.

The appearance of carp confirms this impression. They're not taimen or pike, whose mouths are filled with sharp teeth practically from birth. And their behavior and lifestyle clearly reveal predatory tendencies. But carp have many bloodthirsty relatives. These include the scaly-sided trout.

What does the individual look like?

Named for its appearance, this predator is a close relative of the sabrefish. It shares some similarities with the asp and looks like this:

· The elongated body, flattened on the sides, allows the skygazer to cope well with the fast currents of water bodies.

· The predator's body has a prominent hump.

· The upper part is painted in dark tones, and the sides have a yellowish-silver tint.

· In height, the body is several times shorter than its length, which is sometimes equal to 1 meter.

The maximum weight of individuals can reach 10 kg. However, smaller specimens, weighing up to 3 kg, are usually caught.

· The dorsal fin has a spiny spine that can cause injury to anglers when playing the fish.

· On the belly there are large fins, colored in yellow-gray shades.

· The predator's head is relatively small.

· The eyes are positioned upwards. They seem to constantly look upwards.

· The jaws are massive and powerful, allowing them to grind up large fish.

Habitats

In Russia, skygazers inhabit the waters of the Far East. Large numbers of these predatory fish live in the Amur and Ussuri rivers. They are found in the waters of Sakhalin and throughout the Pacific Ocean basin. Internationally, skygazers are found in Taiwan and Vietnam.

How to catch a predatory fish?

Hunting for these species is a lot of fun. Spinning rods, fly rods, and bottom fishing rods rigged with massive lures allow you to land large skygazers. You can also catch these predators with a match rod.

Sometimes, fishing rods can yield substantial catches because casting bait allows you to cast closer to the surface, where the baitfish are hunting for small fish. Live bait or worms are excellent baits for this purpose.

If you're fishing with a spinning rod, the rig might look like this:

· A medium action rod with a test weight of 20 grams, 2.7 meters long, equipped with a spinning reel, is the most suitable option.

· Lures: spinners or Kastmasters up to 7 cm; wobblers with a diving depth of up to one and a half meters.

To catch a large specimen, cast into holes and pools. Gadgets (echo sounders, underwater video cameras ) can help you find the right fishing spot. These tools will definitely make your fishing trip more successful and productive.