Chasing a Catch After a Disappointing Daytime Fail
The first few days of the National Day holiday were sweltering hot, but then the temperature dropped like a rock—so much so that a lot of people dug out their autumn clothes and long johns. But wait, the past few days have seen a steady warm-up again! Yeah, mornings and evenings have a chill, but once the sun’s out? It’s still scorching. That sun on your cheeks? You can feel it tingling a little. I thought, “Perfect, maybe the warmer weather will help me fill my bucket!” So I headed out the day before yesterday for a few hours… and got absolutely nothing. Not a single bite. For a angler, that’s unforgivable. I had to settle this score. So I decided: tonight, I’m going all in to find out what’s up.
Prepping for a Night at Cao Lake
Luckily, I had a lighter afternoon at work, so I bailed early. My plan? Hit Cao Lake and see if I could score a small bucketful. When I got to the lake, though, the wind and waves were pretty rough. But hey—no turning back now. Let’s do this!
My Gear for the Night
Here’s what I brought along:
- Rod: 5.4-meter crucian carp rod (super light, perfect for finesse)
- Line combo: 1.2 main line + 0.8 leader line + size 5 sleeve hook (small enough for crucian, but sturdy enough too)
- Float: 2.3g weight capacity (balances well with the rod and line for night visibility)
My target was definitely crucian carp—no doubt about it. By the time I got everything set up, it was almost 5 PM. So I grabbed my bait, started casting quickly, and kept up the frequency. Gotta get those fish’s attention, right?
The Waiting Game (and the First Breakthrough)
I cast and reeled, cast and reeled—probably 15 or 20 minutes straight. Then I felt it: tiny, subtle twitches on the float. I focused hard… and sure enough, a few minutes later, the float submerged completely! I snapped the rod up fast, and boom—my first crucian carp of the night landed on the shore. It took almost an hour, but finally! I was grinning from ear to ear. At least I wouldn’t go home empty-handed today.
The Dreaded Lull (and the Surprise Second Catch)
That first crucian got me pumped… but then? Nothing. Total radio silence. No matter how fast I cast, the float didn’t move an inch. Ugh, talk about frustrating! I was this close to packing up.
Two hours went by. I thought, “Okay, tonight’s just gonna be a single crucian carp soup. That’s my fate.” But then—bam! Another blackout float! I jerked the rod up, and guess what? A wave fish (ji lang yu) popped up! It wasn’t big, but man, that feeling of a catch? Pure joy. My patience didn’t go to waste after all.
Almost Quitting (But Glad I Didn’t)
The next two hours? I had some nibbles, but I couldn’t hook any. Probably those annoying shrimps messing with my bait—total buzzkill. By 9 PM, I called it quits. I had work the next day, so I couldn’t stay too late. But hey, even though I didn’t catch a ton, I got two fish! And one was my target crucian. That’s a win in my book.
Wrapping Up: Soup’s On (and Lessons Learned)
As I packed up, I thought about the night. Yeah, it wasn’t a “bucket full” kind of trip, but those two fish? They meant more than a big haul. Why? Because I stuck it out. I didn’t let that slow start or the long lulls get to me. For anglers, the best part isn’t even the fish—it’s that split second when you feel the tug and reel one in. That rush? Unbeatable.
When I got home, I cleaned those fish up and threw ’em in a pot. Let me tell you—nothing beats a hot bowl of homemade fish soup after a night of fishing. It’s warm, it’s fresh, and it tastes like victory.
To all my fellow anglers out there: Don’t give up when the bites are slow. Sometimes the best catches come right when you’re about to pack it in. And hey—even if you don’t catch a ton? Just being out there, by the water, with your rod? That’s happiness. Here’s to more good days (and nights) on the lake!
Happy fishing, everyone!
