Fishing at Gaosong River in Peiwei, Siyang: A Solo Angler’s Memorable Day

Why I Chose Gaosong River for a Solo Fishing Trip

Let’s be real—fishing alone isn’t for everyone. But when my buddy bailed on me at 3:40 AM (yes, *3:40 AM*!) because he hurt his hand, I didn’t have time to mope. Gaosong River in Peiwei, Siyang had been on my radar for months. I’d seen clips from local anglers raving about its big crucian carp, and after three straight skunks (that’s fishing talk for zero catches) at other spots, I was desperate for a win. So I rolled out of bed, grabbed my gear, and hit the road—solo.

First, let’s get the logistics out of the way (because any angler worth their bait needs to know these):

• Location: Gaosong River, Peiwei Town, Siyang County
• Distance from downtown: ~45 km (about 28 miles)
• Drive time: ~1 hour (traffic was *nonexistent* at 4 AM—bless)
• Weather: Clear skies, northeast wind 2 (light breeze—perfect for casting)
• Water depth: 3–4 meters (10–13 feet—great for big crucians)

Pre-Trip Prep: Don’t Skip the Basics (Or You’ll Regret It)

By 4:15 AM, I was loaded up and ready to go. Here’s what I packed (and why):

My Fishing Gear Setup

• Rods: 7.2m Dawa Hunter (switched to 6.3m Xiyingfeng later) + 1 feeder rod
• Line: Mainline 1.5, leader 1.0, size 5 gold hooks (ideal for crucians)
• Bait: Red worms (spring is *prime* for worm fishing) + Chunlong bait (local brand—anglers swear by it)
• Net: 10kg capacity (I was hoping to fill this bad boy)

Non-Fishing Essentials (Because Freezing Sucks)

It was 2°C (36°F) when I checked the car’s temp gauge—chilly, even for February. So I threw in:

• A thermos of hot water (game-changer for staying warm)
• Gloves, a thick jacket, and a beanie (no heroics here—stay cozy)
• Snacks: Bread and rice cakes (quick energy for all-day fishing)
• First-aid kit (just in case—branches + hooks = ouch)

Oh, and I *inspected my car* first. Tires? Check. Lights? Check. Last thing I needed was a flat tire in the middle of nowhere at 5 AM. Pro tip: Always prep your ride before a dawn trip.

The Drive: From Quiet Suburbs to a Buzzing Fishing Spot

I left my neighborhood at 4:25 AM, taking Keshan Road to Mingyuan Road, then west toward the Erhe Bridge. The roads were empty—just me, my music, and the hum of the engine. I passed Touzhuang Town, Xinyuan Town, and finally Peiwei Town, following signs to Gaosong River. By 5:35 AM, I hit the Caozhuang Sluice—*the* spot all the local anglers were talking about.

When I pulled up, my jaw dropped. The sluice’s south bank was packed with cars—dozens of night anglers had their LED lights blazing, turning the river into a bright, fishy wonderland. But I’d heard a tip from a Douyin (TikTok) angler to check a cove 200m past the sluice. So I drove down a bumpy dirt road (thank god it was dry—rain would’ve turned it into a mud pit) and found a couple of cars from anglers from Huai’an. We chatted for a minute, but my gut said to head back to the sluice—*crowds don’t lie* when it comes to fish.

Then I spotted a lone angler under a tree. He was using a glow float (no LED, just old-school glow) and when I asked how he was doing, he lied at first: “Five or six pounds.” But when I peeked in his net? *Wow.* It was stuffed with crucians—easily 10+ pounds, most 2–3 ounces (50–85g) and some up to 6–7 ounces (170–200g). Sold. I set up shop right next to him.

The Fishing: Non-Stop Action (Until the Weeds Hit)

First, I scattered 2–3 handfuls of bait to “call the fish.” Then I set up my 7.2m rod, adjusted the float to 1 eye (so I’d catch 2 eyes—standard for crucians), and baited up with red worms. By then, the sky was starting to lighten—perfect timing.

The Morning Blitz: First Cast = Big Catch

Ten seconds after my float hit the water? *It lifted 1 eye.* I set the hook, and bam—*a perfect bend* in the rod. The water was deep, and there were branches overhead, so it took 10 seconds to reel the fish to the surface. *A 6-ounce crucian*—snow-white, fat, and beautiful. I carefully avoided the branches and netted it. My first cast, first fish—*yes!* No more skunks.

For the next 3 hours, it was non-stop. Second cast: 4-ounce crucian. Third: 3-ounce. Then two 5-ounce fish *got away* (I was too excited to reel slow—lesson learned). The bank was packed now: cars, motorcycles, even locals on e-bikes. It was like a fishing festival—everyone yelling, “Got one!” or “Look at that size!”

Across the river, a group of anglers from Shuyang were killing it with long rods. They were casting far into the middle, and every few minutes, someone would haul in a 7-ounce crucian. I envied their long rods, but my 6.3m was working fine—until the weeds hit.

The Weed Apocalypse: When Fishing Turns Frustrating

Around 10 AM, the sluice opened (I think) and *water hyacinths* started floating down from the north. The northeast wind pushed them straight to my bank—*everywhere*. My float would get tangled in weeds before it even hit the bottom. Total buzzkill. The long-rod traditional anglers next to me? They kept catching fish—their short lines let them drop bait in weed gaps. I watched them reel in crucians while I sat there, staring at my tangled line. Ugh.

After an hour of frustration, the weeds finally cleared. I grabbed my feeder rod (last resort) and baited it with red worms. *Rattle, rattle*—the bell went off immediately. I reeled in a 4-ounce crucian. Then again: rattle, 3-ounce. For a while, the feeder rod was my MVP—even landing *two crucians at once* (a double catch! Rare, but awesome).

The Afternoon Slump: Time to Pack Up

By noon, the bites slowed way down. The crowds thinned—people started packing up to go home. I ate some bread and drank hot water (thank god I brought that thermos) to recharge. But by 3:30 PM? *Nothing.* No bites on the float rod, no rattles on the feeder. I knew it was time to go—fish don’t lie when they’re done eating.

The Trip Home: Fish for the Wife (Because Marriage > Fishing)

I got home at 6:10 PM—before dark! Perfect timing to clean the fish. Now, here’s the thing: *I don’t eat fish.* But my wife? She loves crucians. But she *hates cleaning them* (says the smell is gross—lazy, if you ask me). But hey, I’ve got a system: if I clean the fish, she lets me fish whenever I want. Win-win.

I spent an hour gutting and scaling the fish (messy, but worth it). That night, she made a delicious crucian soup—*and* she praised my catch. Score. Sometimes, the best part of fishing isn’t the catch—it’s the look on your spouse’s face when you bring home dinner.

Final Thoughts: Solo Fishing = Freedom (And Great Stories)

So, would I go back to Gaosong River? *Hell yes.* The crucians are big, the scenery is nice, and the other anglers are friendly (even if some lie about their catch). If you’re planning a trip:

• Go early (before 6 AM) to get a good spot
• Bring a long rod if you can (weeds are a problem later in the day)
• Pack hot water and snacks—you’ll be there all day
• Don’t forget your net (you’ll need it for those big crucians)

Oh, and if you’re fishing alone? It’s not as lonely as you think. You’ll meet other anglers, swap stories, and maybe even learn a new trick. Plus, no one to judge you when you drop your bait or miss a bite. Solo fishing = freedom.

Check out the photos from the trip—those crucians are *beasts*! I’m already planning my next trip to Gaosong River. Maybe I’ll bring my buddy (if his hand heals)… or maybe I’ll go solo again. Either way, I’m bringing more bait. Tight lines, everyone!