Why I Kept Coming Back to Wangchang River
Let’s be real—every angler has that one spot that sticks in their head. You catch a few fish there, and suddenly it’s the first place you think of when you’ve got a free afternoon. That’s exactly what happened to me with Wangchang River. Yesterday, I had a decent day there, so when I passed by its vicinity again this afternoon, I didn’t even hesitate. A quick left turn, and a few minutes later, I was pulling up to the riverbank. But wait—holy cow, the parking lot (or lack thereof) was chaos! At just one entrance, there were five cars parked, not even counting the electric bikes. I thought to myself, “Did everyone get the memo that Wangchang River is the place to be today?”
The Scene at Wangchang River: Wind, Crowds, and “Maozi” Invaders
First, let’s set the scene. It was December 9, 2024, and the weather was… well, typical winter stuff: overcast with light rain, temperatures between 7°C and 10°C, a 2-level northeast wind, and air pressure at 1023 hPa. The river runs east-west, so with the northeast wind blowing, the north bank was both sunny and sheltered from the wind. No wonder everyone and their grandma was camped there! But here’s the thing—how did they even drive their cars to the north bank? That’s a mystery I still haven’t solved.
Then there were the “maozi” guys. If you’re a local angler, you know exactly who I’m talking about. They’re a group of anglers who move in packs. Once one of them finds a spot that’s biting, the rest descend like a swarm. And their skills? Scary good. Give them 2-3 days, and they’ll clean out a river of fish. When I saw their cars, I thought, “Oh no, today’s gonna be rough.”
My Setup: Sticking to What (Kinda) Worked Yesterday
I didn’t overcomplicate things. I went back to my old spot on the south bank—only two of us were crazy enough to fish against the wind there (guess that makes me a “hero” too, right?). Here’s what I brought:
- Water depth: 1.7 meters
- Rods: 5.4m and 6.3m
- Line setups: 2+0.8 (for the 6.3m rod) and 1.5+0.8 (for the 5.4m rod)
- Hooks: Ise Nishi #4 and Gold Sleeve #4 (yep, those tiny ones)
- Bait: Wine rice + red worms (classic winter combo)
At 1 PM sharp, I threw two more nests with my go-to wine rice mixed with old altar corn. But honestly? I had a bad feeling. Between the crowds and the “maozi” crew, I thought I might end the day with nothing.
The Slow Start: Two Tiny Crucian Carp and a Whole Lot of Waiting
By 1:22 PM, both rods were in the water. The 6.3m rod (2+0.8 line, Ise Nishi #4 hook) was for deep water, targeting carp and big crucian carp. The 5.4m rod (1.5+0.8 line, Gold Sleeve #4 hook) was for smaller crucian carp. Then I waited… and waited…
After a few minutes of teasing the bait (a.k.a. “lure fishing” for winter fish), the 5.4m rod’s float finally moved! Two small taps, then it popped up one eye—boom, I reeled in my first tiny crucian carp. Ten minutes later, same rod, same float movement—second tiny crucian carp. Then… nothing. Crickets. I stared at the floats like they owed me money. Was that it? Two lousy fish for the whole afternoon?
The Heart-Pounding Moment: Light Hook, Thin Line, and a Surprise Carp
I was rethreading red worms onto the 5.4m hook when I glanced at the 6.3m float. It twitched a little—probably a small fish, I thought. But then, slowly, it sank all the way under the water. “This is it!” I thought, my heart racing. I grabbed the rod and lifted—yes! It was heavy. Instantly, I remembered yesterday: I lost a big fish because I pulled too hard. This time, I was not messing up.
That line was thin, that hook was tiny—every tug made me hold my breath. The fish pulled left, I followed left. It pulled right, I followed right. No sudden moves, no jerking. After 3-4 tense rounds, I finally saw it: a small carp, maybe a pound or so. I scooped it up with the net, and let me tell you, I sighed so loud the guy next to me looked over. Phew!
The Rest of the Day: Crickets (and Cold Wind)
After that carp, the 6.3m rod only had one missed bite. I even added “Bahuang Sweet Potato Corn” bait to the nest—nothing. The 5.4m rod? Nada. I sat there, shivering as the northeast wind cut through my thick jacket. By 3:50 PM, the guy across from me (who’d been playing on his phone most of the time) packed up and left—he caught nothing. I decided to call it quits too. Total haul: one small carp, two tiny crucian carp. Disappointing, but that carp made the cold worth it.
My Takeaways (For Fellow Winter Anglers)
Winter fishing is tricky, but here’s what I learned today:
- Stick to crucian carp: They’re more active in cold water than carp.
- Tease the bait: Light taps and small movements can trigger bites when fish are sluggish.
- Long rod, short line: In winter, fish huddle in deep water—long rods help you reach them.
- Light hooks and thin lines: Yeah, they’re scary, but they’re better for sensitive winter bites. Just don’t yank!
Would I go back to Wangchang River? Probably. Even with the crowds and the “maozi” guys, there’s something about that spot. Maybe next time I’ll bring a warmer jacket… and a little more luck.
Until next time, stay warm, and tight lines!
