2024 First New Year Wild Fishing Trip: Two Crucian Carp Come to Say Hello
January 6th of the lunar calendar is truly a lucky day! On my way to go fishing, I passed by several wedding convoys. Bright red cars lined up on the road, and the festive atmosphere was so strong that I couldn’t help but think: “With such good vibes, today’s fishing trip must be a big success—definitely a full bucket!” I was so excited that I almost stepped on the gas pedal harder to get to the fishing spot faster. Little did I know, the day would be full of twists and turns that I never expected.
The Morning: Windy, Cold, and Zero Bites
I arrived at my usual fishing spot at around 8 a.m. The sun was just peeking through the clouds, but there was a 4-level wind blowing nonstop. At first, I thought the wind might stir up the water and bring more fish, so I quickly set up my gear: a 3.6-meter rod, 1.0 main line, 0.6 sub-line, and small hooks (I can’t remember the exact size now, but they were tiny). I mixed some commercial bait—sweet corn flavor, which crucian carp usually love—and started casting.
Thirty minutes passed… No movement on the float. An hour passed… Still nothing. The wind kept blowing, making my hands numb even with gloves on. I had to keep adjusting my position to avoid the wind, but every time I moved, the float would drift away. By 11 a.m., I hadn’t had a single bite. I was so cold that I was sniffling, and my excitement from the morning was completely gone. “Is this the ‘lucky day’ I thought earlier?” I mumbled to myself. Maybe I picked the wrong spot?
Afternoon Switch: A Glimmer of Hope
At noon, I decided to pack up and try another spot nearby. I was almost ready to give up, but as I walked past a small bay, I saw a few other anglers there. One of them was reeling in a fish every few minutes—3 in a row! That caught my attention. I walked over to chat with him. “This spot’s pretty good,” he said. “The water’s shallow (less than a meter), and it’s sheltered from the wind. Try here!”
Encouraged, I found a sheltered corner in the bay. First, I tested the water depth: sure enough, less than a meter. I decided to “chou wo” (pump the nest)—casting small amounts of bait repeatedly to attract fish. I did this for an hour, casting every 2 minutes. My arm was sore, but I kept going. Finally, around 2 p.m., I saw the float rise slowly (a “ding piao” or top float bite)! I lifted the rod quickly—there was a pull! But wait… The fish slipped away. Oh no! The hook was too small. I kicked the ground in frustration.
I immediately changed to size 4 sleeve hooks (a common hook size for crucian carp). But after changing hooks, the float stayed still for a long time. I stared at it, willing it to move. Ten minutes… Twenty minutes… An hour… Nothing. I started to doubt again: Did I scare the fish away when I lost the first one? Or did the bait not work?
Then, suddenly—another bite! This time, the float went down a little, then up again. I lifted the rod firmly. This time, I felt the fish struggling. I reeled it in slowly… A small crucian carp! It was only about 10 centimeters long, but I was so happy. I took a photo of it right away:
Waiting for the Big One (Almost Gave Up)
After catching the small crucian carp, I thought the fish would start biting more, but no. The sun was getting lower, and the sky was turning orange. I checked my bait: I had brought a box of earthworms (which crucian carp love) and only used a few. Since I had to go to work the next day, I didn’t need the rest. I left the box of earthworms on a rock nearby, hoping another angler without bait would find it the next day. “Good luck to whoever gets these,” I said to myself.
By 4:30 p.m., the sun was almost setting. I was packing up my gear again when—wait! The float moved! This time, it was a strong pull. I lifted the rod with all my strength. The fish fought back, pulling the line a little. I kept the rod steady, reeling in slowly. Finally, I saw it: a decent-sized crucian carp! It was about 15 centimeters long, with bright scales. I was over the moon.
Saying Goodbye and Wishing Luck to All Anglers
By the time I caught the second crucian carp, the sun was setting. I looked at the two fish in my bucket—they were small, but they meant a lot. “You guys saved my New Year fishing trip from being a blank (kong jun),” I said to them. Instead of taking them home, I gently released them back into the water. “Go find your mom,” I smiled.
As I walked back to my car, the wind had died down a little. I felt tired but happy. Even though I didn’t catch a lot of fish, this trip taught me something: patience pays off. And sometimes, the best moments come when you least expect them.
To all my fellow anglers out there: New Year’s first fishing trip might not always be perfect, but every bite is a victory. I hope you all catch big crucian carp and carp (“da ji da li”) this year and never go home empty-handed! Happy fishing!
