The Sunny March Fishing Trip That Left Me Scratching My Head
Let me set the scene: March 21, 2024, was one of those perfect fishing days—bright sun, zero wind, and that crisp air that makes you feel like the fish are practically begging to bite. I’d been craving a showdown with big redeye fish and chunky carp in Foshan’s Dongping River, so I packed my gear, chugged a can of energy drink, and hit the road. Little did I know, this trip would turn into a “what the heck did I catch?” mystery that had me texting fish experts at 10 PM like a madman.
My Gear: Overkill for Carp? Maybe. But I’m a Prepared (Okay, Paranoid) Angler
First off, let’s talk gear—because no fishing story is complete without geeking out over rods and lines, right? I grabbed my 3.6-meter long rod (yes, I know, “long rod” is redundant, but it’s my baby) and spooled it with a 3+2 line setup. Why so heavy? Because I was chasing big redeye and carp—those guys fight like they’re trying to win an Olympic medal. I wasn’t messing around with flimsy lines today.
I mixed up my go-to bait recipe (secret blend, but let’s just say it involves a lot of trial and error and a dash of luck) and got to work. My strategy? A relentless 20 casts per minute—yes, you read that right. I was basically spamming the water, hoping to draw in the big guns. After a solid 45 minutes of casting until my arm felt like it was going to fall off, I finally felt a tiny tug. Then another. Turns out, they were just small carp “runts” (my polite term for tiny fish that aren’t worth keeping). I tossed them back without a second thought—focus, focus, focus on the big ones.
The “I Need to Pee” Moment That Changed Everything
Here’s where the chaos starts: I’d been holding in a pee for 20 minutes (note to self: don’t drink two energy drinks before fishing) and was just about to book it to the bushes when my float did a massive “top drift”—you know, that sudden pop-up that screams “BIG FISH!” I swear, my bladder forgot it existed. I lunged for the rod, set the hook, and immediately felt that electric buzz in my hands. The line was singing—wiiiiirrrrrr—and I knew this wasn’t a small fry.
I channeled every trick I learned from Zeng Dapen’s fishing videos (shoutout to his “99-step fish taming method”—okay, it’s not 99 steps, but it feels like it when you’re panicking). For 10 whole minutes, I played tug-of-war with this beast. It darted left, I reeled right; it dove deep, I let the line slack. By the end, I was sweating through my shirt, my heart was pounding, and I was pretty sure my arm was going to cramp up permanently. Then, finally, it surfaced—and I froze.
Wait… That’s Not a Mud Carp. What the Heck Is It?
I’d been convinced it was a big mud carp—those are common in Dongping River, right? But this fish? Its tail was bright yellow, like a tiny sunflower, and its head looked exactly like a grey mullet. I stared at it for a solid 30 seconds, brain short-circuiting. “Is this a grey mullet? A yellow tail? A mutant hybrid?” I had no clue. But here’s the thing: I always release unknown species immediately—no take-backs, no “let’s keep it to figure it out.” So I fumbled with my phone, snapped a bunch of blurry photos (thanks, shaky hands), and tossed it back into the river. It darted away like it was laughing at my confusion.
The 10 PM Panic: Texting Fish Experts Like a Desperate Person
By the time I got home, I couldn’t stop thinking about that weird fish. I pulled up the photos, squinted at them, and realized I had no idea what I was looking at. So I did what any modern angler does: I dug up my contact list of local fish experts (yes, I have that—don’t judge) and fired off a text with the blurry pics. 20 minutes later, the reply came: “That’s a yellow butter bream (Butter Bream). Rare catch in Dongping River!”
I slapped my thigh so hard I left a red mark. A yellow butter bream? I’d heard of them, but I thought they were more common in coastal areas, not inland rivers like Dongping. And here I was, releasing it like it was a random minnow. Ugh. The regret was real. But hey—rules are rules: unknown species get released. Safety first, even if it means missing out on a bragging rights-worthy catch.
Aftermath: More Carp Runts (But I’ll Take It)
After the mystery fish fiasco, I tried to get back into the zone. Sure enough, I hooked two more carp runts—this time, they were a bit bigger, around 2-3 pounds each. I tossed them back too (still chasing the big one), but honestly, my mind was still stuck on that yellow butter bream. I kept replaying the fight in my head: the buzz of the line, the way it darted under the rocks, the shock when I saw its yellow tail. That’s the thing about fishing—you never know what’s going to bite. One day you’re catching tiny carp, the next you’re reeling in a rare fish that makes experts raise their eyebrows.
Why This Mystery Matters (And a Plea to My Fellow Anglers)
Let’s get real for a second: releasing unknown fish isn’t just about following rules—it’s about protecting our waterways. Dongping River is home to so many species, and some of them (like the yellow butter bream) are pretty rare. If I’d kept that fish, I might have accidentally harmed a species that’s not supposed to be harvested. So my tip for you: if you don’t know what you caught, take a photo, release it, and ask an expert later. Better safe than sorry.
Also, can we talk about how cool it is that a river like Dongping has such hidden gems? I’ve fished here a dozen times, and I’ve never seen a yellow butter bream before. It makes me wonder what else is swimming around down there—maybe a giant redeye? A record-breaking carp? Who knows? That’s the magic of fishing, right? Every trip is a surprise.
Final Thoughts (And a Promise to Do Better Next Time)
So, to answer the burning question: no, it wasn’t a grey mullet. It was a yellow butter bream—a rare catch that had me kicking myself for not knowing what it was. But hey, live and learn. Next time, I’m bringing a field guide (or at least downloading a fish ID app) so I don’t make the same mistake. And if I catch another yellow butter bream? You bet I’ll take a better photo before releasing it.
To all my fellow anglers out there: have you ever caught a mystery fish? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your “what the heck is that?” stories. And if you’re fishing in Dongping River, keep an eye out for that yellow tail—you might just get a surprise of your own.
