Beginner’s Fishing: Catching a Small Softshell Turtle (Wangba) on a Relaxing River Trip

Alright, let’s cut to the chase—this isn’t your typical “big catch” fishing story. I’m a total newbie when it comes to angling, and last week I had my first run-in with a little “Wangba” (that’s what we call softshell turtles around here, okay? Don’t @ me) in a tiny river near my place. So this weekend, I went back—same spot, same gear, same chaotic energy. Spoiler: I caught another tiny Wangba, and now I’m low-key convinced I’m the river’s official “Wangba grandkid catcher.” Let’s spill the tea.

Why I Came Back to This Exact River

First off, let’s talk about the location. It’s this random little river that’s not even on most maps—last week I stumbled on it while avoiding traffic, and turns out it’s a goldmine for… well, not big fish, but weird little surprises. The main draw? It’s shaded by a huge patch of trees on the east side. So even at 10 AM, I’m not sweating my socks off. Perfect for a lazy newbie like me who’d rather chill than fight the sun.

Also, last week I caught a tiny Wangba (the “grandkid” as I called it), and I’m not gonna lie—I was low-key curious if its family would show up for a rematch. Call me a troublemaker, but when a turtle gives you side-eye through the water, you gotta test your luck again, right?

My Gear (Or: The “I Bought This on Amazon Last Month” Starter Kit)

Let’s be real—my gear is not fancy. It’s the kind of stuff you grab when you’re 90% sure you’ll quit after one trip, but then you don’t. Here’s the breakdown:

• Wine rice for chumming (don’t judge—my grandma swears by it, and she’s caught more catfish than I’ve eaten tacos)
• Earthworms for bait (duh—you think I’m gonna spend $10 on fancy lures for a river where the biggest fish is my shoe size?)
• 0.8 lb fishing line (super thin, which is good for tiny fish… and also means I panic every time I feel a tug)
• Chinuya 0.3 upward-facing hook (no clue if that’s the right name, but it’s the one that looks like a tiny fishbone)

Pro tip for newbies: Don’t overcomplicate it. If your gear works once, it’ll probably work again. Unless you drop it in the river. Then… rip.

The Wait (Or: How I Almost Fell Asleep in a Tree Shade)

I got there at 5:30 AM—yes, 5:30. I’m not a morning person, but fishing apparently requires you to pretend you are. I threw the wine rice chum into the water, said a quick prayer to the fish gods (and the Wangba family), and then… waited. And waited. And almost fell asleep because the trees were that comfy.

Forty minutes later—*finally*—I felt a tiny tug. Not a big one, just a “oh, is that a leaf?” tug. I reeled in slow (because I’m scared of breaking the line), and boom—first catch of the day: a tiny “mahjong crucian carp” (that’s what we call tiny crucians—they’re about the size of a mahjong tile, hence the name). I held it up, took a blurry pic, and then put it back. Gotta let the babies grow, right?

Then Came the Wangba (Again)

For the next few hours, it was just tiny crucians and one random minnow (I think? It was so small I almost missed it). Then around 9 AM—*boom*—a tug that was way heavier than the crucians. My heart dropped. Did I catch a log? A shoe? A actual big fish? No. I reeled in, and there it was: a tiny Wangba (softshell turtle) clinging to the hook. Even smaller than the one last week! The “great-grandkid,” I called it.

Now, before you yell at me—yes, I know some people don’t keep turtles, but this guy was tiny, and I wanted to show my little cousin (who’s obsessed with reptiles). Also, it’s not like I’m catching endangered species here—this river’s full of them. Don’t come for me, okay? I’m a newbie, not a conservation criminal.

The “Wangba Family Reunion” Joke (That Got a Little Too Real)

I held the tiny Wangba up, took a pic, and laughed. “Okay, little guy,” I said to it (yes, I talk to fish. Judge me). “You’re the great-grandkid. Next time, bring your parents. I’m ready for a rematch.” My cousin later called me “crazy” for talking to a turtle, but whatever—fishermen (and fisherwomen) talk to their catches. It’s a thing.

Wrapping Up the Day (And Not Catching a Monster)

By 10:30 AM, I was tired. My back hurt from sitting on a rock, my hands were covered in worm slime, and I was craving a burger. I reeled in one last tiny crucian, packed up my gear, and counted my catches:

• 1 minnow (let go)
• 1 tiny Wangba (took home for my cousin)
• 6 mahjong crucians (all let go—too small to eat)

Not a big haul, but that’s not the point. I didn’t go to catch dinner—I went to chill, avoid my to-do list, and see if the Wangba family would show up. And they did! Win-win.

What I Learned (For Real This Time)

Okay, let’s get sappy for a second. As a newbie, I used to think fishing was all about catching big fish. But this trip taught me it’s about the little stuff:

• The quiet of the river at 6 AM (no cars, no phones blowing up)
• The panic when you feel a tug (is it a fish? A log? A ghost?)
• The laugh when you realize you caught a turtle instead of a fish

Also, pro tip: Shaded spots are your best friend. I didn’t get sunburned once, which is a miracle for my pale self. And wine rice chum? It works. My grandma was right (as usual).

So yeah—that’s my chaotic, newbie fishing story. Next time I go back, I’m bringing a bigger hook (just in case the Wangba parents show up). Wish me luck? I’ll need it. And if you’re a newbie too—don’t stress about the big catches. Just bring snacks, a hat, and a sense of humor. You’ll be fine. Now if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go show my cousin the tiny Wangba. He’s gonna lose his mind.