Autumn Fishing Trip Recap: Catching Striped Bass at Yongding River During National Day Holiday

Okay, let’s cut to the chase—my National Day holiday wasn’t about crowded tourist spots or fancy dinners. Nope, I spent almost every free day chasing striped bass (yes, the ones with the fancy silver scales and sharp dorsal spines) at the Yongding River. And guess what? The haul was actually pretty decent! Since a bunch of fellow anglers have been blowing up my messages asking for tips, I figured I’d spill all the tea from my recent trips. But fair warning: I’m still a newbie to bass fishing, so take this with a grain of salt. And if any pros are reading this, feel free to roast me (gently) in the comments—we’re all here to learn, right?

First, Let’s Get Schooled: Striped Bass Habits 101

Before I dive into the “how-to,” let’s make sure we’re on the same page about the star of the show—striped bass. These guys are opportunistic eaters—they’ll chow down on small fish, shrimp, even crabs if they’re hungry enough. And here’s the kicker: the Yongding River isn’t far from the ocean, so bass swim up from the estuary to feed during certain seasons. That’s why we get such good bites here in autumn! If you’re new to bass, remember: they’re mid-to-upper water column hunters, super fast, and they love warmish water (which is why autumn is peak—water’s still mild but starting to cool, triggering feeding sprees).

Quick fun fact: The biggest striped bass ever caught? Over 30 kilograms! Ours were way smaller, but still, that’s a flex for the species. Also, their spawning season is spring, but autumn is when they bulk up for winter—so they’re ravenous. Perfect timing for our holiday trips.

Where’d I Fish? Spot Selection Breakdown

For this trip, I stuck to two main spots on the Yongding River—no fancy boats, just good old-fashioned shore and structure fishing. Let’s break ’em down:

1. Pipeline Platforms (My Go-To Spot)

I fished the second pipeline platform—it’s about 30 meters from shore, which is key because water gets deeper there. When I dropped my line, the lead sinker hit the bottom, and my line was about 1-2 meters deep in the water column. Shallow water near shore? Forget it—bass don’t hang there when they’re feeding big. Pro tip: Test the bottom first with a few casts to make sure you’re not fishing over rocks or debris that’ll snag your line. Nothing kills a vibe faster than losing a $10 rod to a underwater tree.

2. River Shorelines (Backup Plan)

When the pipeline got crowded (shoutout to all the holiday anglers), I hit the shore. But not just any shore—look for

• Open, flat areas (easy to cast and set up rods)
• Minimal weeds (trust me, you don’t want a 5-pound bass tangling in cattails)
• Deep water close to shore (use a depth finder or just cast and feel—if your sinker drops fast, that’s a good spot)

Also, always test the bottom first! I learned that the hard way when I snagged three lines in one hour on a rocky shore spot. Ouch.

Gear Talk: Rods, Lines, Hooks, and Sinkers (No Fancy Jargon, Promise)

Let’s be real—gear can make or break your trip. I tested a bunch of stuff during the holiday, so here’s what worked (and what didn’t):

Rods: Size Matters (Surprise, Surprise)

Pipeline Fishing Rods

For the pipeline (where you’re dropping straight down, not casting far), go short and nimble. I used a Dayu Wang Dingwei 1.8m rod—it’s tiny, easy to carry, and the tip is sensitive enough to feel a bass nibble but stiff enough to yank a big one out. Long rods here are a pain—you’ll hit the pipeline rails every time you cast. Also, always secure your rod! Bass hit hard—one guy I saw lost his $20 rod to the river because he didn’t clip it down. Yikes.

Shore Fishing Rods

For shore, 2.1m to 2.7m rods are perfect. Longer than that? Wind will blow them over, and you’ll spend more time chasing your rod than fishing. And skip the float rods (the soft-tip ones)! I tried one once, and every time the bell rang, I’d lift the rod and get nothing. Why? The soft tip couldn’t pierce the bass’s tough mouth. Stiff tips = better hook sets. Got it?

Lines & Hooks: Don’t Go Too Big!

Here’s a mistake a lot of newbies make: using giant hooks and lines. I used 4-pound test monofilament or braided line (both worked) and Size 7-8 Iseama hooks (they’re sharp, curved, and perfect for bass). A buddy of mine used Size 15 hooks—his catch rate was way lower than mine. Why? Bass have big mouths, but they hate foreign objects. A giant hook makes them hesitate. Also, I used 5-hook rigs—more hooks = more chances, right? But wait, the middle three hooks always caught the most fish. The top and bottom ones? Barely any bites. So maybe skip the top/bottom if you want to save bait.

Sinkers: Size Depends on Current

• Pipeline/Strong Current: Use bigger sinkers (3-40 grams) to keep your line tight. Loose line = you can’t feel bites.
• Shore/Light Current: 25-gram sinkers are perfect. I tried casting 50 meters once with a big sinker—zero bites. Turns out, bass were closer to shore. Don’t overdo it!

Pro tip: If the current is so strong your sinker rolls, move spots. No sense fighting the river.

Bait: The Secret Sauce (Spoiler: It’s Worms, Not Caviar)

You don’t need fancy lures for Yongding River bass—live sea worms are the MVP. Here’s how to use ’em like a pro:

1. Bait Selection: Fresh = Better

Dead or mushy worms? Bass will ignore them. Buy fresh ones the day of, or keep them in the fridge (not freezer!) if you buy early. These little guys are delicate—heat, light, or wind will kill ’em fast. I kept mine in a plastic box with a wet towel and in the shade. One guy I saw used frozen worms—his catch rate was garbage. Don’t be that guy.

2. How to Hook ’Em (No Waste!)

You don’t need a whole worm per hook—that’s wasteful.

• Small worms: Cut into 2 pieces
• Big worms: Cut into 3-4 pieces

Hook the middle three hooks with the thickest parts (head/body)—those are the high-bite hooks. The top/bottom hooks get the thin tail parts. Thread the worm through the middle, let the hook tip poke out, and leave a little worm hanging off the end. That way, it wiggles in the water and looks like a tasty snack. Also, if you cast hard, the worm won’t fall off—win-win.

Side note: I’m not a fan of eating sea worms (they look like… well, you know), but some anglers swear by ’em fried. To each their own, I guess. But if you’re into that, go for it—they’re high in protein!

Timing Is Everything: When to Fish (Spoiler: Early Mornings Win)

I kept a little notebook of bite times during the holiday—here’s what I found:

• 5:30-6:30 AM: Peak bite—I caught 4 bass in one hour here
• 8:30-9:30 AM: Solid bites, but not as crazy
• 10 AM-12 PM: Slow, but occasional hits
• 2-3 PM: Meh—maybe 1 bite per hour
• 5 PM: Last chance—some bass come shallow to feed before dark

And here’s the tea: mornings are way better than afternoons. I don’t know why—maybe the water is cooler, or the bass are less spooked. But if you can drag yourself out of bed early, do it. Your catch rate will thank you.

Pro Safety Tips (Don’t Be a Dummy Like Me)

Okay, let’s get serious for a sec. Bass have sharp dorsal spines—they’ll stab you faster than you can say “oops.” I learned this the hard way: I caught a 3-pound bass, grabbed it with my bare hand, and got a gash on my palm. Not fun. So here’s what to do:

• Use a towel, fish gripper, or gloves to hold the bass
• Bring a hook remover or needle-nose pliers—bass swallow hooks deep sometimes, and you don’t want to yank it out and hurt the fish (or yourself)
• If you’re fishing from high spots (like the pipeline), wear non-slip shoes—I almost slipped once and fell into the river. Embarrassing, and dangerous.
• Check your surroundings before casting—don’t hit a kid or another angler. Common sense, but I’ve seen it happen.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just About the Catch

Look, I’m still a newbie at this bass fishing thing. I missed more bites than I caught, I lost a rod (okay, not me, but a buddy), and I came home with a few cuts and a sunburn. But you know what? It was the best holiday ever. Sitting on the pipeline, watching the sun rise over the river, listening to the water—there’s nothing like it. And when you feel that first tug on the line? Adrenaline rush like no other.

If you’re thinking about trying bass fishing at Yongding River, just go. Don’t overthink the gear, don’t worry about being perfect. Bring a friend, bring snacks, and just enjoy the day. And if you catch a big one? Tag me in your photos—I’d love to see it!

Until next time, tight lines (and don’t forget the gloves)! 🎣