Newbie Night Fishing: Two Whites, Two Yellows (A Frustrating Yet Fun Adventure)

Let me set the scene: I’d prepped my bait bright and early that morning, figuring I’d use it all in a full day of fishing. I dropped three spots in the morning, but the wind picked up hard, and the fish just weren’t biting—total bummer. So I bailed on fishing entirely that afternoon. Now my leftover bait was sitting in a bowl, wrapped in a plastic bag, and I was low-key panicking it’d lose its scent if I left it too long. Waste not, want not, right?

Why I Decided to Night Fish (Spoiler: Spare Energy + Leftover Bait)

By evening, the wind died down, but it was still chilly. I had this random burst of energy—you know that feeling when you’ve got too much leftover guy energy and you need to burn it off? Yeah, that. Instead of doing something productive, I thought, “Hey, let’s hit the small wooden bridge and drop two more spots. Night fishing time!”

Night Fishing = Brave Soul’s Game (Spoiler: I’m Not That Brave)

Full disclosure: I’m a total night fishing newbie. I love my sleep way too much, so staying up late to fish? Not my usual vibe. My night fishing skills? Let’s just say they’re at the “toddler learning to walk” level. Confidence? Zero. But hey, sometimes you’ve gotta step out of your comfort zone, right?

The Small Wooden Bridge: My Night Fishing Spot

That bridge? It’s my go-to lazy spot for a reason. Let’s break down why it’s perfect (even for newbies like me):

• It’s so close to home—like, 2-minute walk close. No packing up a car, no driving miles. Just grab my rod and go.
• Neon lights everywhere! The bridge connects two neighborhoods—Qiufeng Garden and Dongrui Garden—so there’s always enough glow to tie knots or re-bait without fumbling in the dark.
• Cleaner than your average riverbank. No wading through mud, no getting my shoes soaked. Just stand on the bridge and cast. *Chef’s kiss*.
• People are around! There are always folks walking their dogs, kids chasing each other, or couples strolling. So even if I’m alone, I don’t feel totally isolated (which is good, ‘cause night fishing can feel spooky sometimes).

The Catch (Or Lack Thereof… Mostly)

So I dropped my two spots, sat back, and waited. Two hours later? I had two tiny crucian carp (the “whites” maybe?) and two tiny yellow catfish (the “yellows” for sure). That’s it. But here’s the real kicker: the water was crawling with shrimp. Every time I cast, I’d get tiny bites—like, half a centimeter up or down, or the float would just drag sideways. I’d yank the rod, and nothing. Or I’d ignore it, and the shrimp would just tear my worm to bits. Ugh.

“Shrimp in the Spot = Angler Moves On” (Thanks, Brother Maocai)

My buddy Maocai always says, “If shrimp move into your spot, pack up and leave.” Easy for him to say! Where am I gonna go at 8 PM? It’s not like there are a million fishing spots open this late. So I just sat there, muttering to myself, “Patience, patience….” But let’s be real—after two hours of being outsmarted by shrimp, my patience was gone.

When Enough Is Enough (Shrimp vs. Me: Shrimp Wins)

By 8 PM, I was done. I thought maybe the evening would be a “late rush” for fish—you know, when they get active after dark—but nope. Just shrimp being jerks. So I packed up my rod, grabbed my tiny catch, and headed home.

What Happened to the Fish?

I let the bigger ones go back into the water—no point keeping small stuff that’s not even worth cooking. The tiny ones? I tossed ‘em into my glass tank with my water plants. Now they’re like my weird little night fishing souvenirs. Kinda cool, honestly.

Final Thoughts (No, It’s Not a “Lesson”—Just a Rant)

Night fishing is not for the faint of heart (or the sleepy). Was it a successful fishing trip? No, not really. But was it fun? Sort of. I got to burn off that extra energy, walk around a pretty lit bridge, and not waste my leftover bait. Plus, now I’ve got a story to tell (and tiny fish to stare at). Maybe next time I’ll pick a spot without so many shrimp. Or maybe I’ll just stick to day fishing. Who knows?

Oh, and if you’re a night fishing pro? Hit me up. I need all the tips I can get. My “toddler level” skills need some serious upgrading.