My Unplanned Small Crucian Carp Adventure at Datunying
Let me start by saying I had no clue I’d end up with a bucket full of small crucian carp last weekend. The plan was simple: head to Datunying, a local fishing spot that’s been getting buzz lately, for a casual day of fishing with some friends. The best part? It’s only 60 yuan (about $8) and includes a lunch! I thought, “Heck yeah, cheap fun and free food—count me in.” But little did I know, my overconfidence would lead to a mix of excitement, regret, and a whole lot of fish to clean.
The Mistake That Almost Ruined My Day (Or Did It?)
Before leaving, my buddy kept nagging me: “Bring your string hooks! The fish here love ’em, especially the crucian carp.” But I’d just learned a new trick—soaking loose feed in white wine—and I was convinced it’d be a game-changer. “Nah, string hooks are for beginners,” I thought, brushing him off. I packed my new “secret weapon” and left the string hooks at home. Big mistake? Well, let’s see.
When we arrived at Datunying, I was shocked by the water depth. It was barely knee-deep! Most people would panic, but I decided to go all in with my loose feed. I rolled big clumps of the wine-soaked mix and tossed them in, then added a couple of bran cakes for good measure. “If they want to eat, they’ll come,” I muttered. Meanwhile, my friends were laughing at me. They’d been here twice since New Year’s and both times had “bucket-busting” catches—without even making a nest! They just threw out two string hooks in the middle and used 3.6m or 4.5m rods to fish the edges, moving around like guerrillas.
The Slow Start and the Sudden Turnaround
First, I used a commercial powder bait. To my surprise, I caught two small grass carp right away! But grass carp aren’t what I was after, so I tossed them back. Then I switched to a size 3 hook with earthworms (yes, earthworms—old-school, but effective) and pulled out my 5.4m and 6.3m rods, setting them up like a little fishing stall. I even regretted leaving my 7.2m rod at home—though in hindsight, it wouldn’t have helped in that shallow water.
The fishing was inconsistent at first. I’d get a few bites, then nothing for 20 minutes. My friends, on the other hand, were moving around the pond’s tail, casting here and there, and catching fish left and right. I started to feel like a fool for not bringing the string hooks. But then, around midday, something shifted. The small crucian carp started biting like crazy! They weren’t huge—most were palm-sized—but they were relentless.
The Moment I Realized I’d Overdone It
We had to leave early because a friend’s family was mourning a loss (someone in their village had passed away). By 2:30 PM, I thought I’d caught maybe 2-3 pounds of fish. But when I lifted my bucket to pour into a plastic bag, it felt heavier than expected. “Hmm, maybe 5-6 pounds?” I guessed. Then my friends opened their buckets. “Whoa, another full bucket!” they said. I peeked inside—theirs were overflowing! Later, when we weighed them, mine was 7.5 pounds, and theirs were over 20 pounds each. I was both impressed and terrified.
The Post-Fishing Nightmare: Cleaning 7.5 Pounds of Small Crucian Carp
Here’s the thing: I hate cleaning fish. Especially small ones. Each crucian carp has tiny, annoying bones, and scaling them takes forever. But since I caught them, I had to clean them myself—no one else was going to do it. I spent two hours that night gutting, scaling, salting, and drying them. Let me tell you, my hands smelled like fish for days. I kept thinking, “Why did I catch so many? I don’t even like eating crucian carp!”
Why I Usually Avoid Small Crucian Carp (And Why This Time Was Different)
I’ve had bad experiences with crucian carp before. A few years ago, I got a fish bone stuck in my throat while eating one. It was so painful I had to go to the hospital to get it removed. Since then, I’ve stayed away from them. Plus, when I fish in the wild, I usually throw back small crucian carp—they’re too tiny to eat, and I feel bad keeping them from their mothers. Last year, I barely caught any in the Wei River; I even thought they might be going extinct there.
But this time was different. The small crucian carp at Datunying were biting so much, I couldn’t stop. Maybe it was the wine-soaked feed, maybe it was the shallow water, or maybe I was just lucky. Either way, I ended up with more fish than I knew what to do with.
Lessons Learned (And What I’ll Do Next Time)
So, what’s the takeaway from this adventure? First, listen to your friends. They know the spot better than you do. If they say bring string hooks, bring string hooks! Second, don’t be too confident in new tricks—sometimes old methods work best. Third, if you’re going to catch a lot of fish, make sure you have a plan for cleaning them (or bring someone who likes doing it).
Will I go back to Datunying? Probably. The 60 yuan price tag is unbeatable, and the fishing is fun—even if it means cleaning a ton of small crucian carp. Next time, though, I’ll bring my string hooks. And maybe a friend to help with the cleaning.
Final Thoughts: Small Crucian Carp, Big Memories
Looking back, that day at Datunying was one of the most memorable fishing trips I’ve had in a while. The mix of frustration (from the slow start), excitement (from the sudden bite), and regret (from the cleaning) made it feel real. And even though I don’t like eating crucian carp, I’m glad I caught them. They reminded me why I love fishing: it’s not just about the catch—it’s about the adventure, the mistakes, and the stories you tell afterward.
So, if you’re ever in the area, give Datunying a try. Just remember: bring string hooks, don’t overdo the wine-soaked feed, and be prepared to clean a lot of fish. And if you see a guy struggling with a bucket full of small crucian carp, that’s probably me. Come say hi—just don’t ask to help clean them.
