First Fishing Trip of the Rabbit Year: Big Crucian Carp Bites, No Skunked!
Okay, let’s cut to the chase—this was my first fishing outing of the Rabbit Year, and I was low-key stressed about getting skunked. You know that feeling? After the Lunar New Year, I’d been swamped with work until finally, on the 8th day of the new year, I had a tiny window of free time. The plan? Hit my secret fishing spot—the one I’ve guarded like a treasure chest for years. No way I was wasting this chance!
First, let’s set the scene: it was February 2nd, cloudy with temps between 1°C and 9°C. Brrr, a bit chilly, but I’d packed my warmest jacket (and a thermos of hot tea—non-negotiable). I grabbed my gear, hopped on my electric bike, and cruised 20 minutes to the spot. When I rolled up? Wow, the water was calm, the breeze was gentle, and the trees were still a little bare but the view was chef’s kiss. Even if I didn’t catch a thing, just being there felt like a win. 
My Fishing Setup (Spoiler: I Messed Up A Little)
Let’s break down what I used—because let’s be real, half the fun (and frustration) is tweaking your gear. Here’s the deets:
- Rod: 5.4-meter (that’s about 17.7 feet, for my imperial friends)
- Line: 1.5 main line + 0.8 fluorocarbon leader (wait, more on why this was a mistake later)
- Depth: Around 1.8 meters (6 feet—shallow, but I thought it might work)
- Bait: Hua’s “No Air Force” (yes, that’s the actual name! It’s a popular Chinese bait, but I mixed in a little scent additive to boost the appeal)
I got to the spot at 6:30 PM—way later than I wanted, but work had other plans. I rushed to set up: tied the line, adjusted the float, and had my double hook rig ready in 3 minutes flat. Pro move? Maybe. Stupid move? Let’s see.
The First Hour: Chaos, Near-Misses, and a Giant Surprise
I cast out and started “feeding the spot” (that’s fishing talk for casting empty hooks to attract fish) for 20-30 casts. Then—boom—my float twitched. A sharp 3-inch drop, and I slammed the rod back… nothing. Ugh, tiny fish! They were stealing my bait faster than I could blink. So I did what any angler would do: I made my bait bigger. Duh, right? If the little guys are stealing it, go for the big bites.
Two minutes later, the float did a tiny lift. I held my breath. Then it dropped 1 inch… then another. I couldn’t wait anymore—hookset! Oh my god, there was weight. Real weight. I reeled slow, careful not to break the line, and… 
A 7-8 ounce crucian carp! (For context, that’s a big’un for these waters—think the size of a small dinner plate.) I was screaming inside. My first catch of the Rabbit Year, and it’s a monster? Unreal.
The Hot Streak (That Died Too Fast)
Third cast, I was barely settling in when I went to reel up for fresh bait—bam, another bite. This one was a little smaller, 5-6 ounces, but still a solid crucian. I was on fire! Or so I thought.
Then… nothing. Nada. Zip. I cast 10+ times, reeled, cast again, and not a single twitch. Did I scare them off? Probably. I was so excited after the first two catches, I might’ve moved too fast or made too much noise. Oops. Classic angler mistake.
After 20 minutes of nothing, I was checking my phone (bad idea, I know) when the float dropped 1 inch. I lunged—hookset! This one was tiny, maybe 1-2 ounces. A baby crucian. Cute, but not the giants I was hoping for.
The Cold, Windy Lull (And My Quick Escape)
After that little guy, the bite died completely. For an hour, I sat there freezing my toes off (even with two pairs of socks!). The wind picked up, the sun went down, and by 9 PM, I was so cold I could barely hold my rod. I packed up faster than a cat chasing a laser. Time to go home—no way I was staying out in that chill just to get skunked at the end.
Lessons Learned (The Hard Way, As Always)
Let’s be honest—every fishing trip teaches you something, even if it’s just to wear warmer socks. Here’s what I’m taking away:
- Rod length matters: 5.4 meters was too short! The fish were in deeper water (since it was cold), so a 7.2-meter rod would’ve let me reach those spots. Duh, I should’ve known better.
- Line size was overkill: 1.5+0.8 was way too thick for crucian carp. They’re skittish! Next time, 1+0.6 line—smaller, more sensitive, better bites.
- Don’t rush the setup: I was in a hurry to cast, but taking 5 extra minutes to check my line or adjust the float could’ve saved me from missing that first bite.
Final Thoughts: No Skunk, No Regrets
At the end of the day, I didn’t get skunked—thank the fishing gods! That first 8-ounce crucian was worth every cold minute. Even the tiny baby fish made me smile. Next time, I’m bringing a longer rod, thinner line, and maybe a space heater (kidding… but only sort of). If you’re planning a post-New Year fishing trip, don’t make my mistakes—check the water depth, use the right line, and for the love of all things fish, wear warm clothes.
What’s your first fishing trip of the year been like? Any epic catches or silly mistakes? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear!
