Lockdown to Freedom: The Fishing Adventure Begins!
Whoop! After 7 LOOOOONG days of being cooped up like a caged bird, yesterday afternoon, the lockdown finally lifted! I swear, I almost cried tears of joy when I saw the “Unlocked” sign—then I did what any self-respecting fishing enthusiast would do: grabbed my rod bag, called my bestie Lao Yu, and we BOLTED to our favorite lake. Let’s just say, the excitement was through the roof!
First off, let’s talk about the lake. Oh man, it was like a postcard come to life! Golden autumn sunlight, fluffy white clouds, willows swaying gently by the water, and lotus flowers dancing in the breeze. The air smelled like fresh grass and sweet water—total paradise! I even thought of that online student I saw complaining about “bad air” in her post… honey, you should’ve been here! The lake was the perfect cure for cabin fever.
Pre-Fishing Prep: Gear, Bait, and a Little Chaos
We hit our “old spot”—you know, the one where we’ve caught so many fish they practically know our names. The routine was the same, but with a twist: we swapped our usual “universal sweet bait” for “universal fishy bait” (since the temp was 16°C to 26°C, we figured fish would go crazy for something smelly!). I also brought my secret weapon: homemade fermented rice wine bait. You know, the stuff that’s been marinating in my garage for weeks? Let’s just say it’s magic for attracting the big ones… or at least, that’s what I tell myself.
My setup? A 5.4m medium-light rod, 1.2 main line, 1.0 sub-line, and size 4 hook. Lao Yu went with a 7.2m beast of a rod, 1.5 main line, 1.0 sub-line, and size 4 hook too (he’s all about overkill, but hey, it works for him). We both used “broken float” rigs—those little split floats that look like a string of tiny bells. Perfect for seeing even the tiniest nibble!
First Cast & The “I Can’t Believe It’s Already Hitting!” Moment
We started casting, chatting about how bored we were in lockdown. Suddenly, Lao Yu froze. “Bro, the float’s moving!” he whispered. I whipped around, heart pounding: “Pull it! Pull it NOW!” I yelled—so loud, the whole lake turned to stare. Lao Yu’s rod went slack for a second, then he laughed: “Dude, your voice is so big, I thought you’d scared the fish away!” The lake erupted in giggles—turns out, we’d been cooped up too long, so even a fish pull felt like a victory cry!
But wait, Lao Yu struck first: he reeled in a double—two little guys: a baby crucian and a whitebait. “First catch of the season! We’re golden!” he cheered. I was jealous, but then… my float started dancing like crazy! Three quick pops, then a slow rise—this was no small fish. I lunged forward, shouting, “IT’S HERE!” I grabbed my rod, and the line went taut. The battle was on—this fish was fighting like a demon, but I held tight, guiding it to shore. When it finally broke the surface, I saw… a tiny crucian. Still, it was a win!
Chaos, Laughter, and the “Double Win” That Made My Day
Then Lao Yu started catching like a pro—one after another. His rod was practically bending nonstop. Meanwhile, my float was doing its “I’m bored” routine. Until… CRACK! My float shot up three times, then darted toward the middle of the lake. I thought, “Is this a carp?!” Lao Yu sprinted over, screaming, “Pull! Pull!” as the line sang. “It’s a WHOLE lot bigger than expected!” he yelped. We fought it for what felt like 5 minutes, and finally—out popped a fat crucian! Not huge, but perfect. And just as we were celebrating, Lao Yu pulled another: a nice-sized crucian and a tiny grass carp! “Double header!” he grinned.
By noon, the lake was full of us—smiling, shouting, and sharing stories. We’d all been locked down, so catching fish felt like therapy. One guy next to us said, “I haven’t felt this alive in weeks!” And honestly? He wasn’t wrong. There’s something about being in nature, reeling in a fish, and laughing with friends that just… heals you.
Key Lessons from My Lockdown Fishing Session
Now, let’s get real about the tips. After this wild day, I learned a few things the hard way (and by “hard way,” I mean “nearly lost my sanity laughing at my own mistakes”):
- Location, Location, Location: We fished near the lotus and weeds, using long rods with short lines. Why? Because fish love hiding spots, and if you’re too deep, they’ll ignore you. Shallow water (1-2 meters) was our sweet spot!
- Bait Matters (Even in Lockdown): Swapping to “fishy” bait (smelly stuff) worked better than sweet. With the warm temps, fish crave protein—so don’t sleep on that!
- Float Choice = Game Changer: My “broken float” rig was perfect for detecting tiny nibbles. If your float is too sensitive, you’ll miss bites; too stiff, same problem. Find what works for YOUR water!
- Lockdown = Extra Excitement: Shouting like a maniac when you catch a fish? Normal. Everyone around you will join in. It’s the post-lockdown energy—embrace it!
Final Thoughts: Why This Fishing Trip Meant More Than Fish
By the time we packed up, the sun was high, and our buckets were full of small fish (which we’d let go except for a couple for dinner). Lao Yu and I sat on the shore, exhausted but grinning like fools, replaying the “shouting incident” and the double crucian. That’s the beauty of these little adventures: they’re not just about catching fish—they’re about freedom, laughter, and remembering how to enjoy the simple things.
So, to anyone stuck in lockdown: don’t wait! Grab your gear, hit the lake, and let the world know you’re back. Whether you catch a carp or a minnow, the real win is feeling alive again. Tight lines, and may your next catch be bigger than your last laugh!
Until next time, stay safe, stay happy, and never underestimate the power of a good fishing trip after a long lockdown. Catch you on the water!
