Great Catch of Crucian Carp (Plate Carp) on a Rainy Day Fishing Trip

Let me tell you about my awesome fishing day on February 9th—you know, the one with the drizzle? I was so stoked to get out there after dropping my kid off at school. No time to waste, right? Straight to my go-to spot, the old fishing ground I’ve been hitting for ages. Got there around 8:30 AM, and let me tell you, the rain was still coming down light, but that didn’t stop me. I was on a mission!

My Fishing Gear Setup for the Day

First things first, I laid out all my gear. Here’s what I brought:

• Rod: Two rods—5.4m and 2.7m (perfect for different spots and depths)
• Line: For the 5.4m rod: 2.5lb main line with 1.5lb leader; for the 2.7m rod: 1.0lb main line with 0.6lb leader (light enough for crucian carp but strong enough for a surprise big one)
• Hook: Iseni No.5 (for the bigger rod) and Iseni No.2 (for the smaller one—great for smaller bites but still catches the plate carp)
• Floats: 2.5g and 1.5g (adjusted to the water depth, but since the spot was familiar, I didn’t need to tune them much)
• Bait: For the 5.4m rod: Malt-based bait; for the 2.7m rod: Mixed “All-Catch” bait (both fishy and sweet scents—super effective for crucian carp)
• Lure: Red worm and rice wine mix (this is my secret weapon for getting the fish to bite, even on rainy days)

By 9 AM, I had everything set up—rods in the holders, bait mixed, ready to go. The rain made me move faster, I think. No time to lollygag when you’re wet but excited! Since it was my old spot, the water level was the same as last time, so I skipped adjusting the floats. Just started casting and retrieving to get the bait in the water and attract the fish.

The First Hour: Small Fish Chaos (But At Least There Were Bites!)

I casted and reeled, casted and reeled—about 30 minutes of that “frequency” (you know, getting the bait down and moving it to draw in the fish). Then… bites! But wait—they were tiny. Little nuisance fish stealing my bait left and right. Ugh, so annoying! But hey, at least there were bites, right? No blank stares at the water, so I kept my cool. Kept casting, kept waiting.

By 10 AM, though—boom! First fish landed! Finally, a real catch. Then it was like the floodgates opened—sort of. I started getting more bites, but still, those tiny fish were a problem. There was one time my bait was only halfway down, and the float just sank—total blackout. I had to strike, but it was empty. Frustrating, but that’s fishing, I guess.

Then around 11 AM, I got two tiny ones—one with a pointy mouth (about the size of my middle finger) and a little minnow (half the size of my pinky). Both were real bites, but man, were they small! I laughed, though. You win some, you lose some, right? “If you fish long enough, you’ll catch tiny stuff too,” I thought to myself. Kept on going.

The Big Moment: Landing the Plate Carp!

Then, out of nowhere—splash! I was chatting with a new guy who’d just set up next to me (he hadn’t even casted yet). I casted one time, and heard the main line cutting through the water—whoosh! I was like, “Wait, what? That’s not a tiny fish!” My heart started racing. First thought: Get the net!

I turned around, and there it was—a crucian carp, a plate carp! Oh my gosh, it was beautiful. Shiny, round, just like a plate. I didn’t want to yank too hard (scared I’d break the line), so I reeled it in slow and steady. Took less than a minute to get it into the net. It was 11:55 AM—the highlight of the day! That fish was about four fingers wide—perfect plate carp size. I was so happy I could barely stop grinning.

Afternoon Fishing: Steady Bites (With a Little Nuisance)

The rest of the afternoon? Non-stop action! Well, almost. From 12 PM to 5 PM, I had bites every few minutes. The only lull was between 2 PM and 3 PM—those tiny fish came back in full force, stealing bait like crazy. But even then, I’d get a real catch every now and then. I just kept adjusting my bait, casting a little slower, and waiting for the right bite.

By 5 PM, I had to pack up—time to pick up my kid from school. I grabbed my fish basket, and man, it was heavy! I gave it a little shake and estimated around 5 pounds of fish. That’s great for a rainy day, especially since I’m just an amateur, not a pro. I don’t do this for a living—just for fun. And hey, I didn’t go home empty-handed, so that’s a win!

Why Rainy Days Are Actually Great for Fishing (My Take)

You know, people ask me all the time: “Why fish in the rain?” But honestly, I think rainy days are underrated. The water gets a little stirred up, which makes the fish more active. The light is soft, so they don’t get spooked as easily. And let’s be real—fewer people are out there, so less competition for the best spots. That day, the rain just made me move faster, and I think that helped me get set up before the fish started biting.

Plus, there’s something about being out in the quiet, with only the sound of rain on the water and the occasional splash of a fish. It’s peaceful, even when the tiny fish are driving me crazy. Fishing isn’t just about the catch—it’s about the time away from the hustle, the focus on something simple, and the joy of waiting for that perfect bite.

For me, it’s never about how much I catch. As long as I don’t go home with an empty basket (no “air force” as we say—wait, no, in English it’s “blank” or “no catch”), and I have fun, that’s all that matters. I go out there to relax, not to be a pro. And that day? I relaxed, I caught some great fish, and I had a blast. What more could I ask for?

Anyway, that’s my story. If you’re a fellow angler, maybe try your old spot on a rainy day—you never know what you’ll catch. And if you’re not into fishing, well, maybe this makes you curious? Either way, thanks for reading! No hate, okay? Just sharing my little adventure.