My Epic Night Fishing Trip on Fuhe River (Nov 8, 2024)
Let me tell you, I never thought a random weeknight fishing trip would turn into the most memorable catch day of my entire angling life. I’d seen a buddy’s post about striking out at this spot a few days prior, and that only fueled my stubbornness to go prove the waters weren’t dead. So after clocking out from work, I grabbed my gear and hauled myself to the Nixian Terrace section of the Fuhe River—ready to turn a so-so Tuesday into something worth bragging about.
Setup: My Go-To Gear and Bait for Night Fishing
First things first, let’s talk gear because if you’re chasing big fish at night, you don’t want to skimp (but also don’t overcomplicate it!). Here’s exactly what I brought to the bank:
- Rod & Reel: A 5.4m Weihaiwei hand rod—sturdy enough for big pulls but light enough to hold for hours without cramping up.
- Line & Hooks: 1.2 main line paired with 1.0 leader line, and a size 5 barbed sleeve hook. I know, some purists hate barbed hooks, but when you’re targeting wary night fish, that extra grip can mean the difference between a trophy catch and a story that starts with “I almost had it…”
- Bait & Chum: I mixed up a batch of 918 (a classic all-around bait) with a weird, off-brand white minnow bait I found in the back of my tackle box—don’t judge, desperate times call for desperate bait combinations. For chum? Fish Lang’s musk-infused rice pellets. Nothing draws in crucian carp like that earthy, musky scent after dark.
The weather was perfect for night fishing too—overcast, zero wind, and that crisp autumn air that makes standing in the dark feel cozy instead of miserable. When I arrived, two other guys were already set up, casting lines and chatting quietly. I rushed to get my bait mixed, chum tossed out, and rod in the water before the sun fully dipped below the horizon.
The Slow Start: Almost Called It Quitters
For the first hour of fishing, I might as well have been casting into a puddle of stagnant water. I landed exactly two tiny, scrawny little fish that weren’t even worth keeping—just small “meat sticks” as I call them. Meanwhile, the guy next to me reeled in a 2-3 tael crucian carp and a half-pound carp like it was no big deal. As soon as the sky went pitch black, he packed up his gear and left, saying the bite died off as soon as darkness hit. The other angler stuck around for another half hour, but after catching zilch, he bailed too.
Suddenly, I was alone on the bank, surrounded by the hum of crickets and the loud, off-key singing of a street KTV setup nearby—seriously, that’s a thing in Fuzhou? Everywhere you go, there’s a random guy with a mic and a speaker belting out old ballads. It was equal parts distracting and hilarious.
I fished for another 30 minutes without a single nibble. My feet were sore, my phone was dying, and I was this close to packing up and heading home for a bowl of hot noodles. I was already mentally drafting the “tough luck” text to my fishing group chat when I saw something that made me freeze.
The Surprise Catch: A 1-Pound Snapping Turtle!
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a dark shape gliding past my fish basket. I thought it was a big carp testing the edges of my chum spot, so I grabbed my net and lunged—full hero mode, ready to land a big one. Imagine my shock when I lifted the net and saw a chunky, 1-pound snapping turtle staring back at me!
I sat there for a minute, just staring at it. I’ve caught catfish, carp, even the occasional eel at night, but a turtle? That was a first. I snapped a quick photo for proof (my friends would never believe me otherwise) and dumped it into my fish basket, where it immediately started thrashing around like it owned the place. That little detour gave me a second wind—if a turtle was hanging around, that meant there were big fish nearby too, right?
The Big One: My Personal Best Crucian Carp (Ever!)
I cast my line back out, still giggling about the turtle, and tried to focus. About 15 minutes later, I saw my float slowly sink—no sharp jerk, no wild movement, just that subtle, slow dive that experienced anglers know means one thing: a big, cautious fish is testing the bait.
I reacted fast, yanking the rod up hard. The second I felt the weight, my heart skipped a beat. It was heavy, but not in the wild, thrashing way a carp is. This fish fought with steady, stubborn pressure, not the explosive runs I was used to. I reeled it in slow, not wanting to snap the line, and when it got close to the surface, I realized it was way bigger than I thought.
I tried to scoop it with my net on the first try and missed—don’t judge me, my hands were shaking! On the second scoop, I finally got it in, and I almost screamed. It wasn’t just a big crucian carp—it was a giant. I’ve caught plenty of “plate-sized” crucian carp before, but this thing was a monster. I’m talking, easily the biggest one I’ve ever hooked in my 5 years of fishing. I called it my “ancient giant crucian carp” because it felt like a relic from a time when fish got to grow fat and happy without being bothered by anglers 24/7.
After admiring it for a minute (and taking about 20 photos from every angle), I gently placed it in the fish basket next to the very confused turtle. The two of them spent the rest of the time I was there bumping into each other, which was weirdly entertaining.
The Wrap-Up: Going Home a Champion
Another 30 minutes went by without another bite, and my stomach was growling so loud I could hear it over the street KTV. I decided to call it a night, pack up my gear, and head home to show off my trophies. As I walked to my car, I kept checking the fish basket to make sure I wasn’t dreaming—that giant carp and feisty turtle were still there, reminding me that sometimes the best catches happen when you’re about to give up.
Now, I’m already planning my return trip. I’ve got that same weird white minnow bait stocked up, my rod is tuned up, and I’m ready to see if the Fuhe River has another giant crucian carp hiding in its depths. If you’re ever in the Fuzhou area and looking for a night fishing spot that’s full of surprises, do yourself a favor and hit up the Nixian Terrace section. Just watch out for random turtles and very loud street singers—they’re all part of the charm.
Oh, and if you catch a carp bigger than my giant one? Don’t tell me. I’m still riding this high.
