Also known as
- Rapfen DE
- Schied DE
- Esping SE
- Aspius EU
- Esp US
Identification
A streamlined Eurasian river-and-lake pelagic predator — the rare cyprinid built for explosive open-water pursuit of baitfish. Males and females alike; juveniles slimmer than mature adults.
- Greenish back with silver-blue tints, silvery flanks, and a white belly
- Long pointed head with a large upturned mouth — upper jaw extends past the eye
- Sharp scaled keel along the belly between pelvic and anal fins
- Grey-brown pectoral and anal fins with a slightly forked tail
Where it holds
- Rivers
- Lakes
Behaviour
A schooling open-water pelagic predator of large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs — works the upper 1-3m of moderate-current main channels and lake open water chasing bleak, roach, and other schooling baitfish. Hunts by sight in fast surface frenzies that disturb the surface visibly from distance. Most active at dawn and dusk and on cool overcast days; peak feeding in 12-22°C (54-72°F) water. Migrates upriver in spring to spawn over gravel.
Diet: Bleak, Roach, Small Baitfish, Perch Fry
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Spinning
The dominant Polish, German, Czech, Dutch, and Russian river approach — long-cast a 7-12g stickbait, jerkbait, slim spoon, or in-line spinner well past visible surface frenzies and retrieve at maximum speed in the upper 1m of water. Asp pursue and strike on the run; vary speed and lure size if fish refuse. Long 9-10ft fast spinning rod, PE0.6-PE1.0 mainline, 30cm of 12-15lb fluorocarbon leader.
Fly Fishing
Streamer
An emerging Loire, Rhine, and Danube fly target — strip a 5-10cm bleak or smelt streamer fast and just under the surface from an 8-9wt rod with floating line and a long shooting head for distance. Cast to surface frenzies and retrieve with continuous fast strips. Early-season fish prefer 5-7cm patterns; later-season fish take patterns up to 10cm.
