Shemaya, or shamaika (from Persian shimaji - king fish), is a ray-finned fish from the carp family, has excellent taste, and is found in the Black, Azov, and Caspian seas. It can reach quite impressive sizes and is very good when dried and salted.
A photo of dried shemaya can excite the taste buds just by looking at the fish.
Until recently, this fish was listed in the Red Book (in different years it had different statuses), and therefore its fishing is significantly limited.
What does shemaya (shemaya) fish look like with photos and descriptions
Shamayka has an elongated body shape, the fish is covered with silvery scales. She has a flat body, which is strongly compressed on the sides. There are silvery-blue tints on the head.
The back has a shiny color and a dark green tint. At the same time, the sides are light in color and shiny. The length of adult individuals is 35 cm, and the weight reaches 650 grams.
A distinctive feature of the fish is the shape of the dorsal fin. He leans back a lot. The front fins of the fish have a beautiful orange color. The Shemaya is characterized by silvery eyes and a large lower jaw.
Interesting fact! The Azov-Black Sea shemaya was removed from the Red Book.
Varieties of king fish
Shemaya has 2 main varieties:
- Caspian shamaika - as the name suggests, it lives in the Caspian Sea. On average, fish weighs 200-250 grams. However, there are individuals whose mass reaches 600 grams. The Caspian Shemaya is characterized by a low body and gray fins. The peritoneum is light in color and covered with dark pigmentation.
- Dnieper Azov-Black Sea shemaya - this fish is considered one of the most valuable representatives of the Azov Sea basin. Its meat has a wonderful taste. It reveals itself especially advantageously when dried.
The Azov-Black Sea variety has a brighter color than the Caspian variety
The difference between shemaya and similar fish - fish and herring
In appearance, the shemaya resembles some representatives of the carp family. It looks like roach, dace, and saberfish. However, most of all, the shemaika resembles a fisherman. However, there are some differences. Thus, the fisherman has a taller and flatter body.
Some fishermen note the similarity of shemaya with Volga herring. But these fish are similar only in appearance. It is worth considering that they belong to different families. The herring has a characteristic forehead and fins of a darker color.
The differences can be seen in more detail in the photo:
Donskaya shamaika
In the photo there is a saberfish
Volga herring
Rybets
Habitats
Shamayka is found and lives in salt water. However, during the spawning period it rises into rivers that flow into the Caspian, Black or Azov seas. At the same time, there is also a rare Aral subspecies of fish that lays eggs near the shores. Between mating seasons, this species of shemai moves to deep-sea areas and almost never enters rivers.
This fish can be found not only in natural conditions. Today there are many farms where shamaika is bred. However, wild fish are considered more valuable because they contain healthy fat. That is why the Black Sea-Azov shemaya is most valued, since it takes a long time to move to the breeding grounds.
Lifestyle
The behavioral features of the shamaika have been poorly studied. However, according to the observations of experts, it is considered a schooling fish that prefers to live in clean water containing a large amount of oxygen. With the onset of darkness, it moves to the upper layers of the reservoir. During the daytime, the fish descend to the depths.
Interesting to know! Schools of this fish mainly live far from the shore. But sometimes they move close.
Spawning features
Shamayka can reproduce literally 2-3 times in its life. At the same time, individual individuals are capable of spawning up to 5 times. Fish go to spawn in small groups that contain more males than females. Immediately after laying the eggs, the eggs move to the sea.
Sexual maturity of females occurs at 3-4 years. At this time, a tubercle forms on their lower jaw. Males can breed as early as 2-3 years. At the same time, their head is covered with thorns.
To lay eggs, the fish chooses shallow areas, the depth of which does not exceed 20-40 cm. There should be no silt or vegetation at the bottom. It is important that it be rocky. Such areas should have clear water and a fairly strong current.
Mating games of shamaikas occur at night. In this case, small eggs move with the current under the stones and stick to them. It takes approximately 5 days for the fry to develop.
The hatched fry are characterized by slow growth. Their yolk bladder resolves only after 1 year. In this case, the body weight does not exceed 1 gram. In this form, the fish move to the sea. It is there that they begin to actively absorb food and gain weight.
The spawning period for different species of shemaya differs significantly. The longest mating season is typical for fish that live in the Kuban River. They begin to spawn in September and finish only in March. Don shamaika spawns in early spring – immediately after the ice melts.
Nutrition
The main food of these fish are the larvae of chironomid mosquitoes. They also feed on aquatic crustaceans, which are found in the middle layer of the reservoir. Schools of king fish actively move around the water area in search of food and eat various aquatic inhabitants, including worms and young fish. Before spawning, the shemaya feeds most actively in order to store more fat.
Favorable time for shamaika biting
April is the best month for catching shamai , it is during this period that the fish move to spawn. The most delicious bait is considered to be a worm, bloodworms, maggots, and sandwiches. They fish, as a rule, using a float or spinning rod. Before starting fishing, I advise you to lure the fish and feed the place in order to keep the school of shemai in one fishing point, it is better to use all kinds of porridge, cake, technoplankton, which will dissolve for a long time and remain in the water column. You should cut sharply and quickly. As practice shows, the largest catch awaits you in the water column, approximately 1-1.5 m from the surface of the surface. From my own experience, I can say that shamaika often grabs the bait that has not yet reached the bottom, almost immediately after casting. Another important tip: shamaika is not a fan of cold weather; at low temperatures it moves to riverbed holes over longer distances.
Spawning. Shamaika spawns in fresh water bodies; the water temperature is favorable within 18 degrees, so in different rivers and regions spawning occurs at slightly different times. For example, in the Don, fish love cool weather, so the spawning months are spring and sometimes winter. On the Kuban River it is autumn or hot summer. The shamaika chooses breeding sites with rifts, where there is a fast current, a rocky bottom is a priority, it prefers the dark, night, twilight. Fish reproduce when they reach two years of age. The eggs are very small and mature in 3-4 days. The hatched larvae live at the bottom of the reservoir, then flow downstream into sea waters. On average, a flock of shemai lays 2.5-23.5 thousand eggs. Interesting fact: shamaika fry are distinguished by their slow development, and a year later, after moving to the seas, growth and development accelerate.
Catching shemaya - is it possible to catch this Red Book beauty?
Shamayka is listed in the Red Book as it is endangered. Therefore, it is forbidden to catch her. However, local residents often hunt this fish, despite heavy fines. Mostly fishing begins in mid or late April and ends in the second half of June.
Where to find
Most often, fishermen catch Azov shemaya. In winter, a lot of fish can be caught in Terek.
Tackle
To hunt shemaya, you should use a float rod. It is recommended to use long and light rods that have a rigid action. The cross-section of the fishing line should be no more than 0.2 mm. When choosing hooks, you should give preference to number five. The sinker should be conical and weigh 8-15 grams. It is recommended to use a visible float. He must hold the tackle vertically.
We recommend releasing rare fish
We strongly recommend not to purposefully catch shemaya, but to carefully release any that are accidentally caught. Nature must be protected!
How to catch if you still really want to see Shemaya live
Fry are considered the best bait for shemaya. It can also be caught using chopped mussel meat. In addition, you can use shrimp and sea fleas.
At the same time, the tactics of catching shamaika have certain features. It is best to use a float rod for fishing. It should be borne in mind that only small fish live in the upper layers of reservoirs.
The fish bite is sharp and energetic. In this case, the float does not completely fall under the water. To catch a fish, you need to make a quick hook.
Important! In summer, fresh fish spoils very quickly. Therefore, immediately after catching, the shemai must be released, and, as a last resort, salted, dried or smoked.
Lure
For fishing to be successful, it is important to use bait. The best option would be chopped fish or shellfish meat.
Real fishing on Shemaya:
When is shamaika fishing allowed?
Shemaya is a protected fish: endangered fish fauna (listed in the Red Book) cannot be caught. But the local population fishes with a rod, despite the bans and fairly high penalties. The shamaika bite begins in mid-late April, when the fish enters the rivers to spawn. The end of fishing is around the end of June.
Fines
The Red Book of Fishes of Russia includes rare and protected species. Shemaya's status is assessed there as vulnerable. Such breeds require especially careful treatment, since the number of their wild representatives decreases every year due to human activity.
The use of poaching fishing methods (nets of any design) is punishable in accordance with the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: Red Book fish found in the catch can cost the fisherman a prison sentence. For small batches the punishment may be suspended.
For local residents, the fine for catching shemai can be:
- when catching several specimens - from 2,000 rubles, the maximum fine can be 5,000 rubles;
- female eggs found in the catch increase the amount of the fine by approximately 2 times;
- breaking of shemaya by an official in the amount of 1-5 pieces. entails a fine of 15,000 rubles.
Benefits and harms, calorie content
100 grams of shamaika fillet contains only 88 kcal. That is why fish can safely be classified as a dietary product. Moreover, it includes many proteins that contain important amino acids. For athletes, fish helps build muscle tissue; eating this fish helps burn a lot of calories and maintain normal metabolic processes, which helps get rid of excess weight.
Shemai is recommended for pregnant and lactating women. It is also useful for people who face high physical activity or stress. It is best to give fish to children in the form of cutlets, as it contains many small bones.
Shamayka contains a lot of phosphorus, which helps strengthen bone structures and teeth. In addition, this element has a beneficial effect on brain activity. Thanks to the high fluoride content, it is possible to strengthen bones and avoid dental caries.
The composition also contains zinc, which takes part in the production of hormones. A deficiency of this substance in the body negatively affects the condition of hair, nail plates and skin. In men, a lack of zinc causes a disruption in the production of testosterone, which ultimately provokes problems with potency. In addition, zinc helps improve immunity and makes people more resistant to stress.
Royal fish is a storehouse of useful components
Shemaya is considered a completely safe fish. However, it is important for people who are intolerant to fish protein and seafood to eat it with caution. Also, you should not eat fish that has not undergone full heat treatment. The fact is that it may contain parasites.
To improve your health, it is best to eat fish stewed or baked. Smoked and dried shamaika should not be consumed if you have arterial hypertension, kidney or liver pathologies. It contains a lot of salt.
Taste and chemical composition
Shamayka is a fairly filling fish that contains many vitamins, microelements, and healthy fatty acids. Per 100 grams of king fish there are 112 kcal, 16 grams of protein, 5.3 fat, and 1.4 grams of carbohydrates.
Royal fish has excellent taste. Residents of the seas and southern shores, despite all the laws, sanctions, and fines, continue to catch and serve it to the table. This fish is pleasant to eat both fried and boiled. The meat is quite tender and soft, as if it melts in your mouth. Do not forget that shamaika is a fatty fish, which is why it is so highly valued, since fish oil has a positive effect on our health.
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How to cook fish
Shemaya has excellent taste. It belongs to the elite representatives of the carp family. Dried and smoked shamaika is considered especially valuable. At the same time, fish that was caught during the spawning period has the best taste.
The only disadvantage of king fish is the abundance of small bones in the meat. To get rid of them, you can marinate the fish in a weak vinegar solution. It is recommended to do this within 6-8 hours.
Finding fresh or frozen fish for sale can be quite difficult. Most often it is sold dried or smoked. If you manage to buy a fresh product, you should bake it in foil or a sleeve. This will help you get the most juicy dish possible.
How to pickle shamaya - dried shamaya, video recipe:
Shemaya is a tasty and healthy fish that belongs to the carp family. Today, the shamaika is endangered, which is why it is rarely caught in natural conditions. At the same time, many farms are engaged in growing this fish.
Fishing methods
To catch biryuk, bottom and float gear are used in the summer; in winter, it can be caught with a jig and a float rod. More often, nosefish are purposefully caught in winter, when it forms dense aggregations.
The bite can continue throughout the day, unlike summer fishing, when the fish are active mainly in the morning and evening dawn, as well as at night. Where there is a lot of biryuk and it is of a good size, fishing is quite dynamic and exciting.
Bottom gear
If this fish is present in the fishing area, bites occur frequently, and you have to constantly re-throw the tackle and change baits. Therefore, using heavy feeder gear is very inconvenient, especially since feeders are not used for such fishing.
with weights of 20-40 g is well suited for catching biryuk. The equipment can be used with one or two leashes; often the fish is caught on both hooks at once. Although the biryuk fights quite actively after hooking, its low weight allows the use of a leader line with a diameter of 0.1-0.15 mm.
It is even more convenient to use a rubber donk, then the tackle does not have to be reeled out every time, and it itself is securely fixed with a heavy load at a promising fishing spot.
Float tackle
Biryuk can be successfully caught using a float fishing rod. Flying gear and a Bolognese fishing rod are suitable for this. The fish is not critical of rough gear, and the biryuk bite is sharp and clear, so you can use fairly large floats that are convenient for visual contact.
The load must be sufficient to ensure that the bait is kept close to the bottom throughout the entire fishing distance when swimming. The thickness of the leashes is similar to that on bottom gear; you can fish with a fishing line without a leash.
Hooks are used No. 4-5 according to the Russian classification or 10-13 according to the international one. Since the fish swallows the bait deeply, it is convenient to use hooks with a long shank.
Winter jig
Biryuk is very undemanding when it comes to the color and shape of the jig. The main condition is the weight of the jig for reliable contact with the bottom at depth. One or two bloodworms or maggots are placed on the hook. Aggressive and high wiring is not needed.
Often it is enough to shake the jig a little above the bottom or move it on the ground, and a bite immediately follows. Biryuk also bite well on a jig lying on the bottom. In winter, when specifically fishing for nosefish, you can use a fishing line with a thickness of 0.08 - 0.1 mm.
Winter float rod
Classic float tackle includes an informative float, main line, weight and hook with a leash. As a rule, only one sinker is used, capable of fixing the tackle at the bottom.
It is better to use a short leash 10-20 centimeters long, since the bait on a long leash can be heavily swallowed by the nose, and removing the hook in the cold is not very comfortable.
Just like in the summer, hooks with a long shank No. 3-4 according to the domestic classification are used. Usually, when biting, the float first twitches several times when the fish swallows the bait, and then suddenly goes under the water. The float on a winter fishing rod can be replaced with a nod, then you get a winter bottom tackle.
Biryuk fishing is accessible to anglers of any age, with or without experience, and with the most affordable gear. That is why, and also because of its high gastronomic qualities, it remains one of the most popular objects of fishing where it lives.
