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Fishing Diary: A Sunny Afternoon Chasing Crucian Carps & Navigating Loach Troubles by the River

Fishing Diary: A Sunny Afternoon Chasing Crucian Carps & Navigating Loach Troubles by the River Fishing Diary: A Sunny Afternoon Chasing Crucian Carps & Navigating Loach Troubles by the River

Fishing on a Rare Sunny Day: A Memorable Afternoon with 18 Crucian Carps

Let me start by saying this: sunny days like today are as rare as hen’s teeth in late November! After spending the morning feeding fish in the old “Laocaidi” spot, a brutal northeast wind forced me home by 10 AM. But when I checked the sky after lunch? It was bright, calm, and calling my name. No way was I letting this golden opportunity slip through my fingers—especially since I knew such perfect weather won’t last forever. So I grabbed my tackle box, mixed up some bait, and headed back to the river for an afternoon of fishing.

Morning Struggles: When the Wind Stole My Fish Time

Ugh, the northeast wind in the morning was no joke! I’d only been there for an hour, tossing breadcrumbs and feeding the fish, when the wind picked up like a mischievous kid. It blew straight into my face, making casting impossible and my line whip uncontrollably. By 10 AM, I was soaked through and shivering—definitely not fun. I grumbled as I pedaled home, thinking, “At least I fed the fish, right? Maybe they’ll still be hungry when the wind calms down?” Little did I know, that calm would come faster than expected.

Afternoon Breakthrough: A Sunny Window for Fishing

After a quick lunch and a nap, I peeked outside and almost wept with joy—sunshine, no wind, and the river looking like a mirror! Perfect. I checked the weather app: 4-10°C, northeast wind 3-level, 60% fish activity, and a fishing index of 65. All signs pointed to “go!” I grabbed my gear: a 7-star float (easy to see in bright light), size 3 hook, and my secret weapon—three bait mixes. “Big Fish King” (scented), “Universal Fragrant,” and “Field Warfare Blue Crucian” (all 1:1 ratio). Why? Because I wanted to target bigger crucian carp, and these baits were a proven combo for cold days.

Sunny afternoon fishing setup by the river

First image: My tackle box and rod ready, set up for the sunny afternoon. The river’s calm water glints in the sun—this was the perfect backdrop!

I pedaled hard to the old dam spot, heart racing with excitement. The river’s current had softened dramatically (thank goodness!), and the water was glassy. I sprinkled rice wine bait to “renew” the spot—after all, the fish from the morning might still be lingering, and I needed to give them a reason to bite. My hands trembled slightly as I attached the 7-star float, adjusted the line, and cast out. This was it—time to chase those crucian carp!

Bait, Tackle, and the Loach Interruption

Wait, what’s that? A loach! The little scoundrel popped up on my hook before I could even blink. I’d seen these before—they’re like the “pests” of the river, always trying to steal bait and mess up your catch. I gently plucked it off, mumbled a curse, and tossed it back. No way was I letting those slimy little devils ruin my fish net! But I kept casting, determined to land a big crucian carp.

Mixing baits and setting up near the river

Second image: Mixing the rice wine bait and float rig—prep time never felt so satisfying!

I switched to my new bait mix: Big Fish King (smells like fresh seafood), Universal Fragrant (balanced earthy-sweet), and Field Warfare Blue Crucian (specifically for crucian). Let me tell you, this combo is magic in cool weather. I started casting in short intervals, reeling fast, and the float bobbed like crazy—no, wait, it’s just the current. Wait, no—that’s a fish! I set the hook, and out came a fat crucian carp, flapping and thrashing. I landed it, beamed, and kept going. But then—another loach!

First catch of the afternoon: a small crucian carp

Third image: The first bite! This little crucian carp was eager to bite—just the start of the fun.

They came in waves—loaches and crucian carps, one after another. I thought, “Okay, maybe the morning’s fish didn’t leave after all!” The crucian carps were bigger than I expected, too—fat bellies, shiny scales. I was hooked (literally) on this action! The loaches were relentless, though. Every third cast, one would sneak onto my hook. I’d remove it, sigh, and keep reeling. The key? Stay patient and keep the float moving—no way I was letting them win.

Catching 18 Crucian Carps: A Rush of Adrenaline

Time flew by! From 3 PM to 5 PM, I was locked in a battle with fish and loaches. The float danced, I set the hook, and—fish! The loaches were there to stay, but I’d learned to ignore them. Instead, I focused on the crucian carps, which kept biting. I lost count of how many I caught, but by 5 PM, I had a full net of 18 fish. Each one was a trophy, and I swear, they were all bigger than the last. My arms burned from reeling, but my heart was on fire with excitement.

Multiple crucian carps caught and released (except the ones shared)

Fourth image: A few of the 18 crucian carps I caught—look at those sizes!

Just as I was packing up, a friendly elderly lady sitting by the river called out, “Excuse me, son! I saw you catch those fish and release most. Do you have any extra? My husband and I haven’t had fresh fish in ages.” I felt my face light up. I walked over, dumped the net into her bucket, and she gasped, “Oh my! These are huge! Thank you, kind sir!” Her smile was worth every blister on my hands. Sharing the catch made the day even better—fishing isn’t just about winning; it’s about connecting with others.

Reeling in a big crucian carp with the loach still attached

Fifth image: A big crucian carp mid-reel—loach still trying to sneak in!

Lessons Learned: Why This Day Was Perfect

So, what did I take away from this epic fishing day? First, never underestimate the power of a good weather forecast—65 fishing index and 60 fish activity aren’t just numbers; they’re a green light to cast your line! Second, loaches are inevitable, so keep a calm mind and a quick hand to remove them. Third, never let a sunny day go to waste—even if you’ve fished in the morning, the afternoon might bring better luck. Finally, sharing your catch with others turns a personal win into a community joy.

Sharing the fish with the elderly lady by the river

Sixth image: The elderly lady with her bucket of crucian carps—she was so happy!

As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky orange, I headed home with a smile. My hands were tired, my clothes smelled like river mud, but my soul felt full. This is why I fish: for the rare sunny days, the unexpected catches, and the little moments that remind you to live in the present. What’s your most memorable fishing day? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear about your adventures!

Until next time, happy fishing, and may your lines always be tight and your nets always full! 🎣

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