Rain God Played Me: Catching Dozens of Small Carps on My 10/1 Fishing Trip in the Rain!

My National Day Fishing Misadventure: When Rain & Carp Stole the Show

Weather Ruined My Plans… But Fish Had Other Ideas

National Day in China means golden weeks, family gatherings, and *supposedly* perfect autumn weather—right? Well, this year, the “Rain God” had other plans. After a week of scorching 30°C+ heatwaves (even in late autumn!), I was stoked for some crisp, cool fishing. But nope—the forecast flipped, and rain arrived *early*, turning my golden week into a soggy adventure.

Here’s the tea: I’d been counting down to October 1st for months. I’d even planned a “pre-rain” session the night before, mixing up a special bait blend. But the weather app lied—big time. Instead of sunny skies, we got a sudden downpour starting at 8 AM. Normally, I’d bail, but as a die-hard angler, I thought, *”Rain? Pfft, the fish love this stuff!”* (Spoiler: I was right… but more on that later.)

Preparing for a Rainy Day Battle

At 4 AM sharp, I dragged myself out of bed. My alarm was set for 4:00, but honestly, I was already too excited to sleep. I grabbed my bike, packed a waterproof jacket, and pedaled like a man possessed toward the nearby small drainage ditch. Why? Because if I couldn’t fish for long, at least I could scratch the itch!

By 5:30 AM, I hit the spot—and the parking lot was *empty*. Like, totally deserted. The usual crew of early-bird anglers? Gone. Just me, my bike, and the sound of distant bird calls. I later found out they’d all chickened out, fearing the rain. But hey, I’m the “I’ll brave a hurricane for a bite” type. Rain? Child’s play.

Wait, no. Let’s be real—I was just desperate to fish. But hey, silver lining: the best spots were free! The two prime spots by the old guys from the neighborhood? Vacant! I practically skipped to the deep, flat area where the water was calm. Normally, they’d be there at 4:30 AM, but today? I got first pick. Score!

The Best Spot I’ve Ever Gotten (Literally Empty!)

I wasted no time. I spread my mat, tested the water depth (50 cm—perfect for small carps!), and set up my gear: a 4.5m rod, size 1 double hooks, and my trusty Big Fish King float. Pro tip: Always check the water current before choosing a spot—today, the drainage was slow, so the fish would be sitting tight.

Wait, but let’s talk about the bait. I’d mixed a 2:1 ratio of “Big Fish King” (smelly, great for attracting carp) and “Wuliangyou” (fragrant, sweet scent) with river water. I also packed live earthworms as a backup—just in case the rain turned the fish off. Let’s be honest: I overprepared, but when you’re fishing in the rain, you gotta cover all bases!

After setting up, I cast a few casts with my leftover bait from the day before. No bites. Hmm, did the rain mess with their feeding? Or was it the current? I adjusted my float, went deeper, and… *nothing*. Then, around 6:30 AM, the drizzle started. Just a light mist, but enough to make me glad I’d brought my waterproof hat. (Yes, I wear a hat to fish—old habits.)

Just when I thought, *”Maybe today’s a bust,”* the float dipped. Then dipped again. My heart rate spiked—I was hooked! Wait, no, the fish was. I reeled in… a tiny carp, maybe 2-3 inches long. “Small carp?!” I thought. “But that’s a *good* sign—they’re hungry!”

Fishing in the Rain: Small Carps Kept Biting

Then it hit me: *”Rain = oxygen = fish bite!”* After days of heat and stagnant water, the rain had cooled things down and flushed in fresh oxygen. The carp, normally sluggish, were now tearing through my bait. I switched to earthworms immediately—no time to mess with the float-and-bait combo. With live worms, I could cast once and catch 5+ fish before re-baiting. Genius, right?

Let me paint the picture: it’s 7:30 AM, raining lightly, and I’m the only one there. My phone buzzed—two old friends from the neighborhood, texting: *”Are you crazy? Get out of there! You’ll catch a cold!”* I laughed. “Catching a cold is nothing compared to catching carp!” I texted back. Then I sent a selfie of me in the rain, smiling like an idiot.

And the fish? *Infinite*. Every cast, I got a bite. Double hooks? Oh yeah, sometimes two small carps on one cast! They were so hungry, they’d bite anything. I even had a few fish that kept biting the same worm. It was like they’d never eaten before. “Rain God, you owe me!” I yelled into the mist. (Okay, maybe that was too loud.)

By 9:30 AM, the rain picked up. Not heavy, but steady. I started to worry about my bike—riding home in a downpour? Not fun. But my catch? 80-90 small carps. None were big (no 1+ ounce fish), but that’s the beauty of autumn fishing: quantity over quality sometimes!

I packed up, released all the fish (catch-and-release, y’all!), and cleaned up the trash I’d left behind. As I pedaled home, soaked but grinning, I realized this National Day was way better than any parade or family dinner. Rain, fish, and adventure? That’s the real “National Day gift”!

Reflections: Why Rainy Days = Best Fishing Days

Let me break down my rainy-day fishing success:

• Weather Science: Rain cools water, increases oxygen, and triggers fish to feed. Carp, in particular, love post-rain feeding frenzies!
• Bait Choice: Earthworms beat artificial lures in rainy weather—their movement and scent are irresistible to hungry fish.
• Location Luck: Rainy days scare off most anglers, leaving you with prime spots and fewer crowds. That’s a game-changer!
• Patience: I waited out the rain, adapted my bait, and stayed focused. Results followed.

So, next time it rains on your fishing plans, don’t panic! Grab your gear, head out, and see what the fish have to offer. You might just get a “Rain God apology” in the form of dozens of small carp biting nonstop.

Now, who’s joining me next time? Let’s plan a rainy-day fishing meetup! Just don’t forget the waterproof hat.