2024 Fishing Report: Either Fishing or Dreaming About Fishing All Year Long

Time flies like water rising in the east, and years fade away like smoke. 2024 is almost wrapping up, and I can’t help but think about those poets’ words—Wang Guozhen said, “Years can’t come back, and life can’t be rearranged.” Yu Guangzhong wrote, “Only wise people dare to face themselves alone, only wise people can keep company with themselves.” For me? I live by this: spend your limited time being your true self. Cheesy? Maybe. But it’s stuck in my head, and honestly, fishing’s been my way of living that truth all year.

This year, I made it my mission to dump all the stress from work and daily life, and focus on the good stuff: the little waves in the lakes, that heart-dropping moment when the bobber dips under, and the pure joy of hauling a fish out of the water. Let’s dive into my chaotic, wonderful 2024 fishing journey!

My 8-Year Fishing Evolution: It’s Not Just About the Catch Anymore

I’ve been a angler for 8 years now, and let me tell you—my priorities have done a full 180. I used to lose sleep over how many fish I brought home. Now? I’ll stand there staring at the door for 10 minutes, going back and forth: “Should I go fishing? But I’m alone… Wait, no, I should definitely go fishing.” And the second I plop down on the riverbank? All that overthinking melts away. Pure peace.

2024 wasn’t about trophy catches for me—it was about the views. I’ve seen some of the most stunning lake shores this year, and I’m still replaying them in my head.

My Most Memorable Trip: Spring Fishing with a Friend

The trip that’s stuck with me most? Early spring 2024, when I hit the water with my fishing buddy Xiao Min. We showed up at this spot, and first thing we did was snap photos to post on social media—this place was too pretty not to brag about.

And the cherry on top? This spot was loaded with big yellow tail fish—my absolute favorite kind of fish to catch. Fighting those guys? Total adrenaline rush!

New Year, Big Luck: My Best Catch of 2024

Nothing beats starting the year with a win, right? The fifth day of the 2024 Lunar New Year, I decided to hit up a small river just 2 kilometers from my hometown. That river’s full of childhood memories—when I was a kid, I’d spend entire summer days swimming there, with little fish brushing against my feet nonstop.

I brought my 3.6m Longwanghen Jianghu rod, set up with 1.2 main line and 0.4 leader with a size 2 sleeve hook. I was targeting crucian carp, using the Big Blue Crucian X5 winter bait mix. But guess what? The first fish I hooked was a massive common carp! I swear, I almost screamed—what a perfect omen for the year ahead. Big fish, big luck, right?

Micro Fishing: The Joy of Catching Tiny Fish (Yes, Really)

There’s a joke among anglers: “All fishermen will eventually turn to micro fishing.” At first, I thought it was silly—why chase tiny fish when you can go after monsters? But now? I get it. Micro fishing’s about letting go of that obsession with big catches and just enjoying the process. I can sit there all day pulling in small silver minnows, using a super thin line and a flimsy rod, and feel like I’m reeling in a 100-pound monster.

Silver minnows are the best for this, by the way. They’re not picky at all—drop a tiny bit of red bait, and they’ll swarm it like it’s a five-star meal. And get this: they’re total romantics. If one takes the hook, the other will often follow, so you’ll pull two out at once. Hilarious and charming!

My most fun micro fishing trip? Early summer 2024, at a town where I worked right after college—17 kilometers from the county seat. I worked half-days on the weekend, hopped in my car, and spent the afternoon pulling in minnows like crazy. It was so relaxing, I thought, “Who needs to be a god when you can be a happy fisherman?”

My Pro Tips for Catching Silver Minnows

• Skip the short rods! I know it’s tempting to grab a 2.7m or 3.6m rod, but trust me—use a 4.5m rod. The longer reach gets you to bigger, fatter minnows that hang out further out.
• Ditch the tiny hooks! Most people use size 0.5 or 0.8 sleeve hooks, but I swear by size 2. Those minnows are greedy—they’ll swallow tiny hooks whole, which means you’ll waste time unhooking them, and by the time you get home, the fish will be ruined. Size 2 hooks catch the bigger ones, and they’re easier to remove too.
• Keep bait simple! You don’t need fancy, expensive baits. Rice bran—the stuff left over after milling rice—is a minnow killer. They go crazy for it.
• Try red wheat grains! If you’re targeting bigger minnows, use size 2 or 3 Izu hooks with red wheat grains. You just cast and wait—no need to re-bait constantly. It’s a game-changer.
• Skip the basket rigs! Yeah, those string hooks with a metal basket catch fish fast, but where’s the fun in that? Part of the joy is the rhythm of casting, waiting, and feeling that little tug.

The Big Fish Dream: My 2024 Trophy Catch

Okay, let’s be real—even though I love micro fishing, every angler has a secret dream of catching a monster fish. This year, I went all in: I spent over 5k yuan on a boat. Yep, a boat. No more being stuck on the shore—now I can reach spots other fishermen can’t!

My routine? Leave work at 4:30 PM, drive 20 minutes to the lake, then take the boat 10 minutes out to our secret spot. My buddy Lao Hei is my partner in crime for these trips—we once bought 70 jin of hard corn, boiled it for 3-4 hours, and used half a bucket for chum each time. We’re serious about this big fish thing.

Of course, the boat meant I needed more gear. I bought 8.1m and 7.2m rods—because when you’re chasing big fish, you need all the reach you can get.

And then? I caught the biggest fish of my year. It had to be over 6 pounds! I used a 3.9m rock fishing rod with a sliding float, 5.0 main line, and size 12 Iseama hook—with a 7g float, because you need something heavy for the open water. That fish fought me for 20 whole minutes, and Lao Hei was yelling at me the whole time to hurry up. I didn’t care— it was the rush I’d been chasing!

What I Learned from Catching That Big Fish

• Be patient with chum! We dumped a heavy chum and waited three days for the fish to show up. And make sure the weather stays stable—if it drops or rises suddenly, the fish will disappear. We used old altar corn and fresh corn for bait, and found the best spot was 7-8 meters deep. Oh, and keep quiet! No loud talking, no bright lights—big fish are skittish.
• Stay safe at night! Summer night fishing is amazing, but it’s also risky. I once ran into a cobra—thick as my thumb, just two meters away from me. My buddy told me to shoo it away, but when I lifted my net, it reared its head. I almost had a heart attack! Always watch where you step, and keep an eye out for wildlife.

My Favorite Fish of 2024: Green Tail and Yellow Tail

If I had to pick a favorite fish to catch this year? It’s a tie between green tail and yellow tail fish. Fighting them is so much fun—they put up a crazy fight, and that moment when you haul them out of the water? Chef’s kiss.

My go-to spot for these guys? My hometown in the countryside. My mom lives there alone, so every fall, I drive 23 kilometers to stay with her for the weekend—and obviously, bring my fishing gear. The river’s right outside the house, and there’s even a spot where I can still connect to my home’s WiFi. Perfect, right? I can fish and still check my phone if I need to!

My best day there? The last day of the National Day holiday. I fished from 6 AM to 1 PM and caught at least 120 green tail fish. It was insane!

My Tips for Catching Green Tail and Yellow Tail

• Test different baits! I’ve tried a few mixes: single-use Blue Crucian, the classic “three-in-one” mix, Huashi Big Plate Crucian + #4 + #6, and All-Weather Fishy + All-Weather Fragrant. My favorite? The Huashi mix. But for chum? Duck feed is the way to go—it’s cheap, and the fish love it. Sometimes I use red worm pellets or Old G Big Yellow Tail, but duck feed is my ride-or-die.
• Use a light, responsive rod! I swear by my Chuangwei Lingtian 4.5m rod—it’s light, so I can fish all day without getting tired, and it’s great for reeling in and controlling those feisty fish. I set my float to level water and fish for two ticks—works like a charm.
• Warning: This is addictive! Once you start catching green tail and yellow tail, you’ll find yourself making every excuse to go back. I’ve skipped plans just to fish for these guys—no shame.

Fishing and Family: The Best Part of 2024

Here’s the real win of 2024: turning my fishing trips into family time. I’ve always said that a top-tier fisherman is also a great fish cook, and this year, I got to put that to the test. My wife and kids love eating the fish I catch—there’s nothing better than seeing them enjoy a meal I caught and made myself.

My wife goes crazy for braised common carp, my older daughter loves steamed bream, my younger daughter can’t get enough of fried small fish, and I’m all about big head fish soup. You don’t need fancy cooking skills—just cook with care, and it’ll taste amazing.

And hey, here’s a pic that’ll make all my fellow anglers jealous: a dish I made with so many crucian carp, it’s like eating a whole pond in one bite. It’s my pride and joy!

Unlocking a New Species: Stream Stone Bream

2024 brought me a first: I caught stream stone bream, the most expensive fish in my area. Fresh ones go for 100 yuan a pound, and even then, you can’t always find them. I found a small stream in the mountains, hit the water at the end of August—right before school started for the kids.

I kept it simple: single-use Blue Crucian bait and earthworms, my Chuangwei Lingtian 3.6m rod, and size 0.8 sleeve hooks. Catching those guys was a total thrill—they’re rare, and they fight hard for their size. I still brag about it to my fishing buddies!

The Truth About 2024: Air Days Are Part of the Fun

Let’s be honest—I bought more gear than I can count this year, but that didn’t stop me from coming home empty-handed. A lot. Like, a lot a lot. But here’s the thing? I’ve gotten used to it. Some days, you catch a monster. Some days, you catch nothing but sunburn. Both are fun in their own way.

And when I’m not fishing? I’m scrolling through fishing forums and online stores, looking for my next gear upgrade. It’s a cycle, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

2024 was a regular year, with its ups and downs, sunrises and sunsets. But for me, it was anything but ordinary—because I spent it either holding a fishing rod, or daydreaming about holding a fishing rod. Tonight, I’m going to pour myself a shot of baijiu, fry up some small fish, and raise a glass to 2024. Here’s to more fish, more views, and more chaotic, happy fishing days in 2025. Tight lines, everyone!