Fishing at Gecun Pond: Don’t Miss the Golden Fishing Season

Time flies by so fast, right? It’s already September, and I feel like I’ve been going through the days in a blur. Looking back at the past six months, there’s not much to dwell on—just the usual hustle and bustle that makes life feel a bit monotonous. But hey, thank goodness for my one true hobby: fishing. It’s the thing that keeps my days from feeling totally empty and adds a little excitement to my routine. And guess what? Autumn is just around the corner (we’re heading into the autumnal equinox soon), and the weather’s getting cooler. This is the golden fishing season—you can’t afford to skip it! So on September 18, 2024, I packed up my gear and headed to Gecun Pond in Gucheng County for a day of angling. Let me tell you all about it—from the weather to the gear, the bites, and the little wins (and maybe a few tiny frustrations) that made the day unforgettable.

Prepping for the Day: Gear, Bait, and Location

First things first—let’s talk about the setup. I didn’t go overboard with fancy equipment, just my go-to stuff that I know works. Here’s what I brought:

• Rod: 5.4-meter Zhulu rod (super reliable for pond fishing)
• Floats: Yiwei reed floats (love how sensitive they are)
• Line: 1.5 main line + 0.8 leader (perfect balance of strength and stealth)
• Hook: Size 4 sleeve hooks (great for small to medium fish like crucian carp)
• Bait: “Tongsha Xing” from Fishing Home (a popular local bait with a strong shrimp scent)

The weather was ideal—around 26 degrees Celsius (78.8°F) with a light breeze, no scorching sun, no pouring rain. Perfect for spending a few hours by the water. I arrived at Gecun Pond around 5:45 AM, ready to set up before the sun got too high. The pond is surrounded by some trees and has a few patches of water weeds, which I know are hotspots for fish—they love hiding in the vegetation to stay cool and find food.

Choosing the Perfect Spot

I scanned the pond for a good spot and settled on the edge of a weed bed. Why? Weed beds attract small fish and insects, which in turn draw bigger fish looking for a meal. Plus, the water here was a bit shallower (maybe 1.5-2 meters deep), which is great for early morning fishing when fish are closer to the surface. I set up my rod, adjusted the float, and got ready to mix my bait.

Now, let’s talk about the bait—this is make-or-break for a good fishing day. I used “Tongsha Xing” straight out of the package (no mixing with other baits, just pure shrimp scent). When I mixed it with water, the dough turned bright red (super eye-catching for fish!) and had a strong, savory shrimp smell. The texture was perfect—when I pulled it into small balls, the fibers were even, and the bait stayed on the hook really well. Once it hit the water, it started to dissolve slowly, creating a little cloud of scent that would lure fish in. No clumps, no mess—just exactly what I wanted.

The First Hour: Baiting the Water (Without a Traditional “Bait Bucket”)

Here’s a little trick I use for pond fishing: I don’t like using a separate bait bucket. Why? Well, in wild or semi-wild spots like Gecun Pond, resources are limited. If I dump a bunch of bait in one spot, I might scare off the fish or make them full before they even get to my hook. Instead, I use a method called “chumming with casts”—I cast the bait repeatedly to create a small, localized feeding area. It’s more precise and less likely to spook the fish.

I started by casting the bait 10-12 times in the same spot. Each cast was a small ball of bait, just enough to let the fish know there’s food around. After a few casts, I switched to using smaller lures and started fishing near the surface for the first hour. Why? To catch some small whitebait (or minnow-like fish) first—they’re like a “signal” that bigger fish are nearby. And honestly, catching a few whitebait gets me pumped up for the bigger bites later!

Within 15 minutes of casting, I got my first bite: a tiny whitebait that practically flew out of the water when I lifted the rod. Cute, but I wanted bigger fish. So I kept casting, keeping a steady rhythm (not too fast, not too slow—just enough to keep the fish interested). After about 20 more casts, I noticed the float start to twitch. That’s a good sign—fish are in the area, probably nuzzling the bait to see if it’s edible. I didn’t jerk the rod right away; I waited for a clear bite.

The First Big Bite: Crucian Carp!

Then it happened—one of those classic “strong downward bites” that every angler waits for. I lifted the rod hard, and I could feel the fish fighting back. It didn’t jump out of the water, but I could see a splash near the surface as it tried to swim away. After a quick tussle, I reeled it in: a small crucian carp (about 5-6 inches long). Perfect! I put it in my bucket and got ready for the next bite.

For the next hour or so, the bites were steady but not overwhelming. I caught a few more small crucian carp, and even a double catch (two fish on one cast!)—that’s always a fun surprise. The bait was working like a charm: the shrimp scent was strong enough to attract fish, but not so strong that it overwhelmed them. The float was super sensitive, so I could feel every tiny twitch—no missed bites (well, almost none).

The Mid-Morning Slump (and How I Beat It)

Around 8:30 AM, the bites slowed down. The sun was a bit higher, and the water might have warmed up a little, making the fish less active. I started to wonder if I’d hit a dry spell. I cast the bait, waited, and nothing happened. No twitches, no bites—just the float sitting still in the water. I thought, “Great, now what?”

But I didn’t give up. I tried a few small adjustments: I moved the float a little deeper (from 1 meter to 1.2 meters), used a slightly smaller piece of bait, and cast a little further from the weed bed. After 10 minutes of waiting, I saw the float twitch once—then again. Then it dipped half a centimeter, popped up a little, and then… blackout (the float went completely under the water)! And it was moving sideways, which means the fish was swimming away with the bait. I jerked the rod hard, and this time, the fight was a little longer. When I reeled it in, it was a crucian carp—bigger than the others, maybe 7-8 inches long. Yes! That slump was over.

For the rest of the morning (until 9:30 AM), the bites picked up again. I caught a few more crucian carp, some small whitebait, and even a tiny fish that I didn’t recognize (but I put it back, since it was too small). By the time I packed up, my bucket was half-full—nothing huge, but enough to make the day feel like a success.

Why September (and the Golden Season) Is Perfect for Fishing

Let’s be real—fishing in summer can be brutal. The sun is scorching, the water is warm, and the fish are often hiding in deeper, cooler spots. But as we head into autumn (after the autumnal equinox), the weather cools down, the water temperature drops, and the fish become more active. They’re hungry, too—preparing for winter, so they’re out looking for food. That’s why this time of year is called the “golden fishing season”!

Gecun Pond is a great spot for this time of year because it’s not too crowded (I only saw a few other anglers that day) and has a good mix of fish. The water is clean, and the weed beds provide plenty of hiding spots for fish. Plus, the local community takes care of the pond, so there’s always a chance to catch something.

My Top Tips for Fishing at Gecun Pond (or Any Similar Spot)

If you’re planning a trip to Gecun Pond (or a similar freshwater pond), here are a few tips from my experience:

• Arrive early: The best bites are usually in the early morning (6-9 AM) or late afternoon (4-7 PM) when the water is cooler.
• Use a sensitive float: You’ll feel every tiny twitch, which means fewer missed bites.
• Try “chumming with casts” instead of a bait bucket: It’s more precise and less likely to scare fish.
• Adjust your depth: If you’re not getting bites, try moving the float deeper or shallower—fish move around depending on the time of day.
• Bring snacks and water: Spending a few hours by the water works up an appetite!

And don’t forget to respect the environment—take your trash with you, don’t overfish, and release any small or unwanted fish. The pond is a resource for everyone, so let’s keep it clean and healthy.

As I packed up my gear and headed home, I looked back at the pond. The sun was higher now, and a few more anglers had arrived. I felt happy—happy that I took the time to go fishing, happy that I caught a few fish, and happy that I got to enjoy the quiet of the morning. Sometimes, the best days aren’t the ones with the biggest catches—they’re the ones where you get to slow down, breathe, and do something you love. And this golden fishing season? Don’t let it pass you by. Grab your rod, head to your favorite spot, and see what you can catch. You won’t regret it.

Oh, and if you’re curious about the photos from the day—here’s a look at the pond, my first catch, and the little crucian carp that gave me a fight!

Until next time—tight lines!