My Relaxing Day at Dongfeng Reservoir: Fishing, Frustrations, and Fresh Corn Secrets

October 22, 2024 – Sunny, but let’s be real, the weather here is wild. I had Saturday off, and there was no way I was staying home. Fishing at Dongfeng Reservoir? Hell yes. I packed my gear, grabbed leftover corn, and hit the road. Little did I know, the day would be half “chill fishing vibes” and half “why does this always happen to me?”

First Stop: The (Now Stolen) Perfect Fishing Spot

I got to the reservoir around 9 AM—way later than I wanted. Normally, I hit this tiny bay for carp and grass carp; it’s sheltered, has deep water, and the fish love it. But when I pulled up? Some guy had turned my spot into his personal fishing kingdom. Dude had FOUR rods set up like a peacock’s tail feathers. The whole bay was his. I wanted to yell, but I’m not that guy. Instead, I sighed, grabbed my gear, and spent 30 MINUTES clearing a new spot. Sticks, rocks, even a old plastic bottle—why do people leave trash here? Ugh.

Weather That’s Bipolar: 15°F in the Morning, 86°F by Lunch

Let’s talk about the weather because it’s impossible to ignore. Morning temp? 13°C (55°F). I was wearing a jacket, sipping hot coffee, thinking “this is perfect.” Then by noon? 31°C (88°F). I was sweating through my shirt, my rod felt sticky, and I had to dig out a hat I forgot I packed. Fish hate big temperature swings, right? Spoiler: They do. But more on that later.

Bait Time: Fresh Corn vs. Leftover Old Corn

I stuck with what I know: fresh corn. But I also dumped half a bag of old corn (the kind you soak in flavor) I had leftover from last trip. Why? ‘Cause why not? I also brought two fresh corn cobs to cut up later. Pro tip: Fresh corn works for carp and grass carp—don’t sleep on it. But let’s be real, the old corn was just taking up space in my bag.

The Morning Rush: Carp on Corn, But… Wait, Where’d They Go?

Morning fish action? *Chef’s kiss*. The guy next to me? Dude was catching tons of big crucian carp—like, huge ones. He was reeling them in like it was nothing. Me? I was using corn, so I wasn’t getting crucian, but I got a few small carp (around 1 pound each). Then… disaster. I felt a big tug. Like, *big*. I reeled, fought it, and then—POP. Hook came loose. Then another. And another. FOUR BIG FISH got away. Ugh. What’s wrong here?

Why Did My Hooks Fail? A Humbling Lesson

I think I know the problem. First, my hooks were too small: size 2 Chinu (that’s a Japanese hook style, if you know). Second? I tied my own hooks, and they were old. Like, used 10 times old. Hook tips get dull, right? I felt so stupid. I was kicking myself—why didn’t I buy new hooks? Why did I cheap out? Note to self: Next trip, new hooks. Size 4 or 5 Chinu, maybe? Or try a different hook style for corn.

Lunchtime: The Fish Vanish Act

By noon, the bite died. Dead. Nada. The guy next to me? He stopped catching crucian too. I cut up those two fresh corn cobs and threw them in, a little at a time. Nothing. Well, almost nothing. I got a few tiny carp, but that’s it. I think those big fish I lost scared all the others away. When you hook a big one and it gets away, it splashes, makes noise, and the whole school bolts. Duh. That’s basic fishing 101, and I messed it up.

I sat there for hours, sweating, watching the water. Tried adjusting my float. Tried different corn. Tried waiting. Nothing. The sun was beating down, my water bottle was empty, and I was starting to get grumpy. But hey—at least I was outside, right? Not stuck at a desk. Silver linings, I guess.

Final Catch (Or… Not?)

By the end of the day, I had a few small carp. Did I take them home? Nah. I was too lazy to clean them, and honestly? They were too small. Why keep a tiny fish when there are bigger ones out there? I released them back into the water. Maybe they’ll grow into the big ones I almost caught. Fingers crossed.

Question for You: What Hook Do You Use for Corn?

Okay, let’s get real. I need your help. When you fish with fresh corn for carp or grass carp, what hook do you use? What size? Do you stick with Chinu, or try something else like Octopus hooks? I’m tired of losing big fish because my hooks are dull or too small. Drop a comment below—seriously, I need all the tips I can get.

All in all, it was a “relaxing” day… if you ignore the stolen spot, the lost big fish, and the bipolar weather. But that’s fishing, right? It’s not always about catching the biggest fish. It’s about the drive out, the coffee in the morning, the sun on your face (even when it’s too hot), and the little wins. Next trip? I’m getting up early, bringing new hooks, and claiming my spot before anyone else. Mark my words.