Shangzhuang Reservoir Fishing: Another Hot Day, Another Big Catch (Ugh, It Was So Hot!)

Day One: 5 AM Start, 39°C Heat—Who’s Crazy Enough to Fish This?

Let me just start by saying: I’m not a morning person. At all. But when the forecast said 39°C for July 1st, I thought, “If I don’t fish at 5 AM, I’ll regret it.” So here I am, leaving home at 4:30 AM, half-asleep, with two rods in the car. The drive to Shangzhuang Reservoir was quiet—no other cars, just the sound of my car engine and my internal “Why am I doing this?” monologue. But when I arrived, the reservoir was eerily calm. The water looked like glass, and the air smelled fresh… until the sun started peeking up. Oh, the 39°C hit me like a truck.

I set up my two rods, sweating through my shirt before 6 AM. The first hour was rough: I kept checking the temperature, thinking, “This is insane.” But then, at 5 AM sharp, the first fish bit. Holy cow, that float went under like a rocket! I reeled it in—my first crucian carp of the day. Then another, and another. By 7 AM, I had 15 fish, and I was grinning like an idiot. “This is going to be a good day!” I thought. But then the wind picked up, the sun blazed, and… the bite stopped.

I was about to pack up when I saw the second rod twitching. “Wait, that’s not right—no more bites!” I ran over, reeled in, and there was a fish. Then another. Oh! I’d caught 34 and 35 fish while packing up. So total? 35. Not bad, considering the heat. Let’s just say, the crucian carp at Shangzhuang Reservoir are thriving… or maybe they’re just desperate for bait. Either way, I’m grateful.

The Bite: 5 AM to 8 AM Sharp—Fish Are Early Birds Too!

Here’s the wild thing about Shangzhuang Reservoir: the fish have exactly the same schedule as me—except they’re more punctual. They started biting at 5 AM, no questions, no delays. Then, by 7–10 AM, it was steady. But by 8 AM, poof—dead silence. The wind shifted, the temperature spiked, and the fish vanished. I stood there, staring at my rods, thinking, “Did I miss the memo?” I’m convinced these fish are trained monkeys. Or maybe they’re just rebels who hate heat.

Why the Bite Died So Fast?

Let’s blame the weather. 39°C is no joke. Even with the wind, it felt like standing in a microwave. I sweated through my shirt in 10 minutes, and my fish net was dripping with sweat (not water). The fish, I’m guessing, felt the same. They probably hid in the deeper, cooler water, refusing to come up. I tried fishing off the bottom without a fly lead (because who wants to set up extra gear in 39°C?), and I caught most fish that way. But when the wind picked up, the bite stopped. Lesson learned: fish early, fish fast, and don’t overcomplicate it.

The Catch: 33 Crucian Carp (And 2 Tiny White Barbs—Ugh, They’re Annoying)

Okay, let’s talk numbers. I caught 35 fish total: 33 crucian carp and 2 white barbs. Wait, how? The original says 33 crucian carp, then 2 white barbs, then 34–35 while packing. So yeah, 35 in total. The crucian carp were the real stars—they’re big, feisty, and put up a good fight. The white barbs? Total jerks. They nibble at the bait but never get hooked, or if they do, they’re gone in 2 seconds. But hey, 35 fish is 35 fish, and the crucian carp were delicious.

Here’s the net full of fish! Look at all those crucian carp—they’re silver with those little whiskers (barbels) that make them look like tiny dragons. I kept the 33 crucian carp in the net, and the 2 white barbs went straight back into the water (I feel bad, but they’re just too small to eat). The best part? My bait—”fragrant bait” as I called it—kept the small fish away! No more fighting tiny fish for the hook. Score!

Techniques: Fishing in 39°C—It’s All About the Early Bird

Let’s get real: fishing in 39°C is brutal. But here’s how I survived:

• Wake up early: 5 AM is the sweet spot. Fish bite then, before the sun turns you into a popsicle (well, a melted popsicle).
• Fragrant bait = small fish gone: I used a sweet, garlicky mix that crucian carp love. Small fish ignored it, so I only caught the good stuff.
• Light gear = less sweat: No umbrella, no heavy rods. Just a light setup and a quick trip to catch fish before the heat kills you.
• Hydrate like crazy: I brought two water bottles and drank them both. Dehydration is no joke in the heat!

I didn’t use fly lead because I was too hot to mess with it. Instead, I fished off the bottom, which worked for the early bite. But next time, maybe I’ll try fly lead in the afternoon if it cools. But honestly, afternoon here is still 30°C+, so probably not. Lesson: fish early, keep it simple, and stay hydrated.

Final Thoughts: It Was Hot, But 35 Fish = Worth It

Overall, this trip was a win. 35 fish, 39°C heat, and a whole lot of sweat. Shangzhuang Reservoir is still my go-to spot for crucian carp, especially if you’re an early bird. Next time, I might try 5 AM to 7 AM to beat the heat even more. And hey, if you’re looking for a fun, challenging fishing spot in Beijing, this is it. Just don’t forget the sunscreen, a hat, and way too much water. Happy fishing, and remember: early start, fragrant bait, and embrace the chaos!