Not a Big Catch, But a Fulfilling Day of Fishing (And Cleaning!)

Okay, let’s be real—I’m a total fishing newbie. Like, just started dipping my toes into this whole thing. I mess around with both spinning rods and baitcasters (okay, mostly the spinning rod because the baitcaster still gives me fits), but here’s the thing: I’m not good at it. At all. But I don’t care! Wild fishing is my jam because ponds, lakes, and reservoirs? They cost money. And let’s be honest, I’m on a budget. I’d rather stand by a river watching old guys cast for hours than pay to fish somewhere fancy. Those guys? They’re like fishing wizards. I could stare at their techniques all day—how they read the water, adjust their bait, set the hook in one smooth motion. Total eye candy for a beginner.

Spontaneous Fishing Trip on November 16th

So, November 16th rolled around—gloomy, cloudy day, wind was kinda crazy, and it was a little chilly. I’m heading home from work, and I spot a bunch of guys by the river, rods in hand. I can’t help but stop and chat. “How’s the bite today?” I ask. One old guy grins and holds up a bucket with a few decent-sized fish. “Wind’s annoying, but the fish are hungry!” he says. That’s all I needed to hear. I zoomed home, grabbed my beat-up rod, a few lures, and headed back. No plan, no fancy gear—just a newbie with a sudden urge to fish.

Location: Dongguan Waterway, Houjie

We’re talking Dongguan Waterway, right by Houjie. When I got back, the tide was coming in—perfect timing, I guess? I saw a few guys with baitcasters (the cool ones with the reels that don’t backfire every five minutes) and one guy with a spinning rod. I didn’t snap any pics of them—didn’t want to be that weirdo tourist. But man, watching them cast was like a masterclass. One guy’s baitcaster zinged the lure out 30 yards like it was nothing. I tried that with my baitcaster once and ended up with a bird’s nest so bad I had to cut the line. Sigh. Maybe someday.

The Unplanned (But Necessary) Cleanup

Here’s the thing about wild fishing spots: they get messy. Like, really messy. I’m not just talking about a few candy wrappers. I’m talking old bait bags, takeout containers, cigarette packs, even those little plastic cups for fishing weights. It’s gross. And honestly? It makes us fishermen look bad. Like, why would anyone respect a spot where people leave their trash everywhere?

While I was waiting for a bite (spoiler: it took forever), I noticed a guy next to me toss an empty chip bag into the bushes. No second thought. Just… boom, trash on the ground. I didn’t say anything—different folks have different vibes, right? But I couldn’t just let it sit there. So I started picking stuff up. One piece, then another, then another. Before I knew it, I was on a roll.

What I Found (Spoiler: It Was a Lot)

Let’s list the garbage haul, shall we? It was like a treasure hunt, but the treasure was trash:

• Tons of bait packaging—like, every brand under the sun. Some were so old they were falling apart.
• Takeout containers—fried chicken boxes, noodle bowls, even a half-eaten burger wrapper (gross).
• Cigarette packs and lighters—so many. I don’t even smoke, but I know those are bad for the environment.
• Bingtang (betel nut) wrappers—those little plastic things are everywhere in some spots. Super hard to break down.

After 10 Minutes of Cleaning

Ten minutes. That’s all it took to fill a whole garbage bag. And there was still more—like, white foam chunks from old coolers or bait buckets that were stuck in the rocks. I couldn’t get those, but I got everything else. The spot looked way better. Not perfect, but better. I tied the bag to my scooter and hauled it to the nearest trash can. It felt good—way better than catching a big fish, honestly.

The “Harvest” (Spoiler: No Big Fish)

Okay, let’s get to the actual fishing part. After cleaning up, I finally got a bite! Or… wait, no. Wait, first I thought I had a bite, but it was just a leaf. Then I thought I had a bite, but it was a stick. Then—finally!—something tugged on the line. I reeled it in, and it was a tiny tilapia. Cute, but tiny. Then another tiny tilapia. Then a slightly bigger one. Oh, and two tiny carp and one small crucian carp. That’s it. No big bass, no monster catfish—just a bunch of small guys.

But here’s the thing: I didn’t care. I kept one crucian carp to take home (my mom loves cooking them), but the rest? I dumped ’em back in the river. I don’t fish for food—I fish for the fun of it. The waiting, the tiny tug on the line, the excitement of reeling something in (even if it’s tiny). That’s the good stuff.

Why We Need to Clean Up Our Fishing Spots

Look, I’m a newbie. I don’t have any right to lecture anyone. But come on, guys. Let’s be real. When we leave trash everywhere, people get mad at fishermen. They think we’re all slobs. And that’s not fair to the guys who do clean up. I’ve seen old fishermen carry trash bags with them every time they go out. They’re the heroes. But we all need to step up.

It’s not hard. Bring a small bag. Pick up your trash. Even pick up a few pieces that aren’t yours. Ten minutes of cleaning can make a huge difference. The river looks better, the fish are happier, and people don’t side-eye us when we walk by with our rods.

My Little Plea to Fellow Anglers

To all my fishing buddies (new and old):

• Pack out what you pack in. Every single piece of trash.
• Bring a reusable water bottle instead of plastic ones.
• Skip the single-use bait containers—use a reusable bucket or jar.
• If you see trash, pick it up. Even one piece helps.

Final Thoughts (No Big Summary, Just a Share)

So, that’s my day. No big catch—just a bunch of tiny fish. But I cleaned up a spot, met some cool guys, and had a blast. That’s what fishing is all about, right? Not the number of fish you take home, but the moments you have. The wind in your hair, the sound of the water, the satisfaction of doing something good.

Next time I go out? I’m bringing a bigger trash bag. And maybe a better lure. Oh, and I’m definitely practicing my baitcaster skills. Fingers crossed I don’t get another bird’s nest. But even if I do? It’ll still be a good day. Because fishing isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being there.