Introduction: The Great Night Fishing Quest Begins
September 23rd, late afternoon. I got the call from Fatty and Glasses—they were already at the river, ready to start night fishing. “Hurry up! The spots are filling up fast!” Fatty said, his voice echoing over the phone. So, me and Awen packed our gear and hit the road. Little did I know, this night would be full of twists, turns, and a fish that came completely out of nowhere.
The drive wasn’t short, but it certainly wasn’t the “smooth ride” I’d hoped for. Picture this: bumpy dirt roads, zigzagging paths that felt like a rollercoaster, piles of rocks, and even crossing shallow streams through the woods. We laughed as we got soaked from splashing, but by the time we reached the fishing area, we were both pretty tired. “This place looks like a maze,” Awen grumbled, but I could see the excitement in his eyes—you know, the kind that comes with a chance at a big catch.
Arriving at the Spot: A Race Against Time and Small Fish
When we finally parked and walked to the riverbank, the scene was chaos—every inch of the shore had anglers setting up their gear. “Almost no spots left,” I mumbled, scanning the area. Most people were on fishing platforms with 5m+ rods, tightly packed. Fatty waved us over to a shallow spot, but the water was only about 1m deep here, overgrown with weeds and floating plants. “Not ideal,” I thought, but we had no choice. We’d driven too far to turn back.
Back to the gear: I’d brought a 6.3m rod—my go-to for big fish. Paired with 1.2 main line, 0.8 sub-line, and size 5 white hooks, it was a classic setup for crucian carp. The bait? I mixed “918” (a popular carp bait for wild rivers), “Big Fish King” (specifically for attracting larger species), and added some “No Air” to the mix for extra smell—since it was night fishing in a wild river, maybe the smell would cut through the darkness and attract bigger fish. “Warm bait,” I said to Awen, “should work better for crucians.”
For the float, I used a glow-in-the-dark model with 1.7g weight. The current here was light but noticeable, so I adjusted the float to 2 units, fished 1-3 units. The water was about 1.5m deep, and the float’s 1.2mm diameter made it easy to see. Perfect, right? Well, the first test wasn’t as expected.
I cast the first pull—a rapid pull, but all I got were tiny barbs: super big minnows, one after another. “Ugh, honestly?” I sighed. “Is this a joke?” The float was jumping like crazy, and every time I reeled, it was just a small fish. Frustrating, but part of fishing, I guess. Then I tried switching to pasted bait—no, that was worse: the float bobbed around, but every time I waited, it was empty. “Maybe I should move to deeper water,” I thought. That’s when Fatty called over.
Switching Spots: From 6.3m to 4.5m—A Lesson in Patience
“Got a better spot over here!” Fatty yelled, pointing to a platformed area. Their 5.4m rods were set up there, and they were leaving because the fish weren’t biting. “You can’t reach it with your 6.3m,” he said, but I saw the spot was deeper (about 2m) and more open. Awen and I grabbed our gear and moved. The water here was calmer, no current, so my long rod felt out of place. “I need a shorter rod,” I said, and yes, my pride took a hit. But I was tired of small fish and empty hooks. “Let’s try a 4.5m rod,” I told myself.
Back to the setup: new rod, 4.5m. Line: 1.0 main, 0.6 sub, size 3 gold hooks (no barbs, I prefer barbless for release). Glow float with 1g weight: smaller, but better for still water. Adjusted to 1 unit, fished 1-2 units. The water here was 2m deep, and the float stayed steady—no more current issues! “Better,” I thought. I started chumming with paste bait, casting slowly. Then, suddenly—the float dipped, then went under.
I struck hard. “Whoa!” The line went taut, and I could feel a heavy, wriggling creature on the other end. “Is that a carp?!” Awen yelled. Fatty ran over. The fish was small—about 0.5kg, but it was a carp! I’ve always loved catching carp, especially when they’re unexpected. “YES!” I cheered. I fought it, then landed it with a little help from the guys. We took a quick photo (I’ll share it later), and then I was hooked.
Unexpected Success: Short Rod, Big Rewards
After that, the action picked up. The small fish left, and the crucians and carp started biting. I kept using the paste bait, alternating with pull baits every 2-3 casts. Sometimes I let it sit longer if the float was quiet. One particular moment: a slow, heavy dip, then the float disappeared completely. I struck—this time, I felt a bigger fish. “Another one!” I laughed. Awen was impressed. “You switched smartly,” he said. In total, I caught 1 carp and 4 crucians that night. One carp was bigger—maybe 0.75kg, and the crucians were all 1-0.5kg. I even lost one big carp that slipped off the hook, but I didn’t mind—it was a win just to see the rod bend.
By 11 PM, we called it a night. We released most of the fish except for the ones we kept to share later. The journey home was different: Fatty and I almost got lost, but with his headlamp, we found the way. “Three big takeaways,” I said to the guys as we drove: 1. Roads in wild areas are always a surprise (pack extra snacks!). 2. Fishing isn’t just about gear—it’s about adaptability. Sometimes switching from long to short is the right move. 3. Carp are wild, unpredictable, and when they bite unexpectedly, it’s the best feeling.
Pro Tips for Night Fishing in Wild Rivers
- Bring warm clothes: September nights get cold—extra layers and even long johns help!
- Test bait for the time of day: In wild rivers, smell-based baits (like “Big Fish King” or “No Air”) work better at night.
- Float selection matters: For moving water, use heavier floats; for still water, lighter ones.
- Patience is key: If one spot isn’t working, move! Don’t stay frustrated with small fish.
- Swapping rods: Sometimes a shorter rod (like 4.5m) can cover more water in shallow, crowded areas than a long rod.
Final Thoughts: A Night of Lessons and Luck
That night taught me a lot—fishing isn’t just about catching fish; it’s about the journey, the challenges, and the unexpected moments. The carp I caught that night wasn’t planned, but it was the perfect cap to a day of switching rods, enduring small fish, and finally finding my rhythm. If you’re a fellow angler, I say embrace the chaos, try something new, and always bring extra snacks. Who knows—your next big catch might be hiding just around the bend. Until next time, happy fishing, and tight lines!
P.S. If you’re in the area, that wild river spot is worth checking out, but come early—spots fill up fast!
