Night Fishing During the World Cup: How I Balanced Catching Fish and Watching Matches
Let’s be real—if you’re a night fisherman and a World Cup fan, you’re probably juggling two obsessions that feel like they’re at war. On one hand, there’s the unspoken rule: you never skip a fishing trip for “just a game.” On the other? Those midnight kickoffs? You can’t hit pause on Mbappé or Messi. So when the 2024 World Cup rolled around, I had a dilemma: how do I catch fish after dark and catch every match? Spoiler: I figured it out—and it involved a lot of wind, a few lucky bites, and a car that doubled as a stadium.
The Plan: Pick a Spot That Works for Both
First, I needed a fishing spot that checked two boxes: great night fishing and easy access to a car (for watching games). I landed on the Dongjiang River near Xinfu Village in Huizhou—local anglers raved about it, and it had tons of parking for post-fishing naps (or match marathons). Saturday afternoon, I loaded up my gear: rods, bait, a thick sleeping bag, and my trusty phone charger (non-negotiable for 2-hour matches).
Scouting the Dongjiang River: Where the Local Anglers Hang Out
When I arrived, the river was packed with day anglers wrapping up. The sky was clear, and even in December, the temperature hovered around 17-18°C—perfect for winter fishing. I wandered the right side of the park and found a few wooden platforms built by local anglers. Talk about “previous anglers plant trees, later ones enjoy the shade” (okay, I adapted that Chinese saying, but you get it).
A local guy was packing up his gear, and his bucket was full: crucian carp, common carp, golden threadfin bream, and a monster red eye bass. “No need for long rods here,” he said, tapping his 3.9m rod. “I always use this—wind gets crazy at night, and longer rods just turn into wind sails.”
Setting Up: Bait, Rods, and a Windy Reality Check
I hurried to set up as the sun dipped below the hills. My plan: drop a heavy bait mix to draw in fish overnight. I mixed half a pack of PK bream pellets with half a pack of fermented corn—smelled like a fish’s version of a five-star meal. Then I rigged two rods:
- A 5.4m rod with 3.0 mainline, 1.2 fluorocarbon leader, and size 0.5 Owner hook (my go-to for bigger fish)
- A 4.5m rod with the same setup, but I planned to switch to live bait later
For the first hour, I used the 4.5m rod for lure fishing (jigging soft plastics) while the 5.4m rod sat with a worm. But here’s the thing: the wind picked up fast. By 7 PM, it was blowing 3-4 Beaufort—strong enough to make my 5.4m rod feel like a flagpole. Every time I tried to cast, the line whipped around like a snake. That local angler was right: long rods = bad news in windy night fishing.
I swapped the 5.4m for a 3.9m rod (thanks, local tip!) and changed the 4.5m to “meat and bread” bait: a mix of worm and commercial dough. The 3.9m rod stayed on lures, but let’s be honest—lure fishing at night for small stuff is hit-or-miss.
The Night’s Catch: Fish That Showed Up When the Park Quieted Down
By 7:30 PM, the park’s party crowd (campers, karaoke singers, even a fireworks show) died down. And guess what? The fish started biting. Here’s the play-by-play:
First Bite: A Surprise Catfish
My 4.5m rod’s glow float slammed under the water—blackout bite! I jerked the rod, and something heavy fought back. Turns out it was a small catfish (silurus asotus) that snuck into the bait mix. Not the trophy I wanted, but a win after an hour of wind struggles.
Yellow Catfish: The River’s Golden Gems
Ten minutes later, another bite. This time, a bright yellow Dongjiang yellow catfish (tachysurus fulvidraco) popped up. Those guys are tough—they fight like they’re twice their size. I caught two more small ones before the action slowed.
Winter Fishing Win: Crucian Carp Loves Worms
By 10 PM, the wind was howling, and the temperature dropped to 10°C. But the 4.5m rod (still on worms) had one more trick: a plump crucian carp. Winter night fishing tip: worms beat lures every time. The 3.9m lure rod? Only caught a tiny baby crucian—total “bait thief” energy.
Fishing Paused, Game Time: My Car as a World Cup Stadium
By 11 PM, the bites dried up. The wind was too strong, and even the tough yellow catfish were hiding. I packed up the rods, threw my gear in the car, and crawled into my thick down sleeping bag. Timing? Perfect—Morocco vs. Portugal kicked off at 11 PM sharp.
My car was parked right by the river, so I had front-row seats (literally) to the match. The sleeping bag blocked out the wind noise, and my phone’s hotspot kept the stream going. Let’s just say: Morocco’s win was wild. I may have yelled a little when they scored—oops, sorry to any nearby anglers still fishing.
After that match, France vs. England started. Another nail-biter—France won 1-0. By the time the second match ended, it was 1:30 AM. I crashed hard, lulled to sleep by the river’s wind.
Day 2: More Fishing, More Wind, and a Bit of Jealousy
Sunrise brought a cloudy sky—bad for fishing, but I was already hooked (pun intended). I headed back to the spot. The 3.9m lure rod was still pestered by tiny roach and baby crucian. But the 4.5m worm rod? It landed a nice golden threadfin bream—my best catch of the trip.
Later, a few new anglers showed up. Their buckets were full of big bream and crucian. “We used fermented corn and worms,” one said. “Fished the same spot as you, but got here earlier.” Jealous? Maybe a little. But hey, I had a World Cup recap to brag about.
The Verdict: Fish and Football Can Coexist (Sort Of)
My total catch? A small bowl of soup (okay, not huge, but tasty). But did I miss any matches? Nope. Did I have fun? 100%. Here’s the real takeaway: night fishing during the World Cup isn’t about catching the biggest fish. It’s about finding a spot that works, being flexible when the wind (or fish) messes up your plan, and having a car that doubles as a cozy stadium.
Next time the World Cup rolls around? I’m bringing a bigger sleeping bag, a portable charger, and maybe a portable TV. Because let’s be real—you can’t have too many ways to watch Mbappé score while waiting for the next bite.
