First Fishing Trip of October: Catching a Dozen Fish Without Chumming!

Okay, let’s be real—October started off wild. First, there’s the pandemic risk stuff going on, so the kids are stuck at home instead of school. Early morning? Everyone’s doing a mass COVID test. But hey, after that? I needed an escape. So what do I do? Grab my gear, head out to dig up worms, and end up with a huge box full. Perfect for a few days of fishing, right? Who needs store-bought bait when you’ve got fresh, wiggly earthworms from your own backyard?

The Water Situation: High Levels & New Spots

Now, let’s talk about the river. The Han River’s been rising like crazy lately—thanks to the Danjiangkou Reservoir going up 2-3 meters. That means all my usual fishing spots? Totally flooded. Weeds are everywhere near the shore, and I don’t have a long rod. So what’s a guy to do? Grab my spinning rod and go for slip bobber fishing—it’s the only way to reach the fish in the deeper, flooded areas. No long rod, no problem… right? (Spoiler: It worked, but not without some chaos.)

Why No Chumming? Let’s Be Honest

Here’s the tea: I didn’t chum. Not because I’m some fishing genius who knows a secret, but because I’m broke. Let’s be real—fishing supplies get expensive! Between gas, bait, and gear, I’ve been cutting corners lately. So I thought, “Screw it, the fish can eat worms. It’s meat, right? They’ll go for it.” And honestly? I was desperate to get out. Work’s been slow, money’s tight, so a cheap fishing trip was non-negotiable. No chum, no fancy bait—just me, my rod, and a box of worms I dug up myself. #HustleForFish

The Catch: First Bite & Non-Stop Action (Sort Of)

First cast? Bam. I reeled in this little guy. Now, I’m no fish expert, but I thought it was a yellow catfish (yellow sāng, if we’re being casual). But my buddy texted back, “Nah, that’s a river sāng.” Wait, whatever—definitely not a catfish (the big, whiskered kind). It was tiny, but man, did it fight! And here’s the kicker: no chum, and I was getting bites left and right. The bites were mostly bobber pops—you know, the kind where the float jumps up? Super easy to spot, so I was nailing almost every bite. That’s the good stuff—when you’re catching fish without breaking a sweat (well, almost).

Morning Magic: 10+ Catfish in an Hour

The morning was insane. I was catching catfish one after another—like 10+ in an hour! They were all small, but that’s okay. I’m not here for trophy fish; I’m here for the rush. The bobber would pop, I’d set the hook, and boom—another one in the net. I was so focused I didn’t even notice the sun coming up. It was perfect. No crowds, no noise, just me and the river. That’s the fishing vibe I live for.

Afternoon Slump: Redtails & Empty Hooks

Then the afternoon hit. And man, did the bite die down… sort of. I started getting random bites, but I’d miss most of them. Finally, I reeled in a redtail—those guys are tricky! They spit hooks like crazy. I must’ve had 5+ bites that turned into nothing because they’d shake free before I could get them in. Ugh, so frustrating. But hey, at least I wasn’t skunked. Redtails are fun to fight, even if they’re escape artists.

Weather Woes: October’s Crazy Temperature Swings

Let’s talk about the weather—because October is bipolar. Morning? Chilly, but bearable. By noon? The sun was blazing. I didn’t even need an umbrella; sitting in the sun felt like a mini vacation. But then, around 3 PM? The temperature dropped like a rock. I had to grab my jacket out of the car, and by 4 PM? Total dead bite. Nada. Zilch. The fish just stopped feeding. So I packed up and headed home. Pro tip: Always check the forecast for late fall fishing—those temperature swings will mess with your day (and your catch).

The Haul: Cheap & Cheerful (No Gas Money Wasted)

So what did I end up with? Let’s count: 10+ small catfish (river sāng, whatever you call ’em) and 4 redtails. Total cost? Zero for bait (dug my own worms), and gas was minimal since I went to a local spot (Yangxi Bridge, for anyone who knows the area). I’ve been so cheap lately—skimping on everything to save money—but this trip? It was worth every penny I didn’t spend. Sometimes the best fishing trips are the ones where you don’t overcomplicate it.

A Trip Inspired by a Dream (Yes, Really)

Okay, let’s get weird for a second. The night before this trip? I dreamed about my first girlfriend. Like, full-on dream: I was holding her kid, and she pulled out a letter—my old love letter from when I was 17. I smelled it, and I thought, “Wait, this doesn’t smell right. My old letters had a faint sweet scent!” And then I remembered her letters—she’d fold them into origami cranes, and they smelled amazing. That dream stuck with me all night, and the next morning? I thought, “Screw it, let’s go to Yangxi Bridge. Maybe the fish will cheer me up.”

Weird, right? But sometimes nostalgia hits, and you need to do something spontaneous. That dream reminded me of simpler times—when I was 17, happy, and didn’t have to worry about money or pandemic stuff. Fishing has always been my escape, but this trip? It was extra special because it tied back to that old memory. Even if the dream was random, it got me out there, and I’m so glad it did.

Final Thoughts: Fishing Isn’t Just About the Catch

At the end of the day, this trip wasn’t about catching a ton of fish (though I did). It was about getting away from the chaos. The kids were home, work was stressful, but for a few hours? I was just a guy with a rod, a box of worms, and a river. No chum, no fancy gear, just me and the water. That’s the magic of fishing, right? It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present.

And hey, if you’re on a budget? Don’t skip the trip. Dig your own worms, use a slip bobber, and find a flooded spot. You might be surprised at what you catch. Oh, and if you dream about your first love? Maybe it’s a sign to go fishing. Worked for me!