Two Big, One Small: My Fishing Pride Spikes on This Wild Day

Let’s Dive In: A Fishing Day That Started With Chaos (And No Fish)

Hey fellow anglers! Let’s cut to the chase—today’s fishing trip was a rollercoaster. October 18th, right? I had the day off (thank goodness for that “makeup day” at work), so I wrapped up my chores and bolted straight to the river. First stop? Total disaster. The water was rushing so hard, my float would’ve danced away faster than a cat chasing a laser. No way to fish there—total bummer.

So I hopped in my car and hit the second spot. Ugh, what a zoo! The bank was packed—people shoulder to shoulder, like they were at a concert instead of fishing. But here’s the kicker: not a single person had a fish on their line. I stood there for 10 minutes, squinting, thinking, “Is this some kind of prank? Everyone’s acting like they’re catching trophies, but the water’s quieter than a library.” No spots left, so I sighed and moved on. Third time’s the charm, right?

Third River Spot: Finally, A Place Worth Fishing (And Clean, Too!)

Thank the fishing gods—third spot was a win. Not just “okay” but *actually* nice. Clean banks, no trash (shoutout to the hardworking cleanup crew—they even beat me to picking up litter, which made me laugh. I wanted to help, but they were on it like glue!). This was the kind of spot you dream about for wild fishing: peaceful, no crowds, just you and the water.

I set up my gear immediately—no time to waste! Let’s break down what I brought, because this setup might just be your new go-to:

• Rod: Dou Sha 3.6-meter (perfect for tight spots)
• Main Line: 1.2
• Leader Line: 0.8
• Floater: 1.5 grams (great for subtle bites)
• Hook: Size 4 sleeve hook (my trusty sidekick)

Bait Mix That Worked Wonders (Even When Others Struggled)

First step: mix the bait. I’ve been obsessed with this combo lately, and today it proved its worth again. Here’s the recipe:

• Float Fishing 2095 (light, fluffy, perfect for surface/near-surface bites)
• Tong Sha Xing (a “catch-all” scent that drives fish crazy)
• Western Wind Wine Rice (adds that extra kick to attract big ones)

I mixed half for chumming (to draw fish in) and left the other half to use as bait. Pro tip: let the bait rest for 10 minutes after mixing—gives the scents time to meld. Then I tossed the chum into the water, sat back, and waited.

The Bites (Or Lack Thereof) And Then… The Big Surprise!

For the first hour? Nada. Zilch. I switched to earthworms, adjusted my float, even changed the hook size—nothing. I started thinking, “Great, another dud day.” But then… boom! My float shot up three or four inches, and I barely had time to react. I lifted the rod, and there was a fight—this fish wasn’t giving up easy! The Dou Sha rod felt amazing in my hands, flexible enough to let the fish run but strong enough to reel it in. Two minutes later, I had a *huge* crucian carp on the line. Wow.

And here’s the weird part: a guy from the next spot came over, grabbed my bait, smelled it, and then just… took a chunk. No “can I try this?” just “I’ll take some.” Rude, but I guess that’s fishing sometimes—people get desperate when they’re not catching anything.

Small Fish, Big Drama (And Then Two More Wins!)

I went back to fishing, and there were a few “dud” bites—tiny taps that didn’t turn into anything. I figured those were baby fish (like goby or minnow), so I kept casting. Then, my float sank fast—blackout style! I knew it was a small one, but I had to try. Sure enough, a tiny “piss fish” (that’s what I call the little guys) popped up. Cute, but not what I was after.

Thirty minutes later, the wind picked up, and I was freezing. I thought, “One last cast—let’s get a ‘closing fish’ and call it a day.” I cast, waited… and then my float lifted *slowly*—the kind of bite that means a big one. I lifted the rod, and another huge crucian carp came up! Everyone nearby stared—no one else was catching anything, and here I was with two big ones. That’s the fishing pride, right? The “I told you so” without even saying it. I grinned so hard my cheeks hurt.

Wind, Cold, And The Final Fish (Then Release Time!)

After that second big carp, the wind got worse. I sat there for 40 minutes waiting for the “closing fish,” but nothing. My hands were numb, my toes were cold—enough was enough. I packed up, took a photo of my catch (two big crucians and one tiny “piss fish”), and let them go. Catch and release is my rule—no need to keep them; the fun is in the fight.

What I Learned Today (And Why Bait Matters More Than You Think)

Today’s trip taught me two big things: first, resources make all the difference. Everyone says “now’s the time for big crucians,” but if there are no fish in the spot? You’re wasting your time. Second, bait is non-negotiable. My Float Fishing 2095 + Tong Sha Xing + Western Wind Wine Rice combo worked because it’s tailored to the fish in this area. I’ve tried cheaper mixes, and they never perform like this.

Wrap-Up: Fishing Isn’t Just About Catching—It’s About The Pride

So that’s my day: chaos at the first two spots, a win at the third, two big carp, one tiny fish, and a whole lot of pride. If you’re struggling to catch lately, try switching spots (even if it means driving a little farther) and tweak your bait. And hey—don’t let rude anglers ruin your day. Focus on the fun, the fight, and that moment when you reel in a fish no one else can catch.

Until next time, tight lines! May your floats stay up, your bait stay fresh, and your pride stay high. Catch you in the next post—maybe I’ll have even bigger fish to show off!