Shan Kaka New Fishing Spot: A Day of Trials, Catches, and Hidden Gems

Okay, let’s be real—fishing trips don’t always go as planned. Sometimes you hit a honey hole, sometimes you’re just casting into a pond that’s as dead as a doornail. But today? Today was a mix of frustration, small wins, and a surprise that made me rethink my entire day. Let’s dive into my trip to the Shan Kaka new fishing spot—a place my brother swore he’d fished before (but let’s be honest, his “success” stories are hit or miss).

The Perfect Weather for Fishing (Until the Rain Comes)

First off, the weather was chef’s kiss. 16-21°C (that’s 61-70°F for my American friends), sunny, and just the right breeze to keep you comfortable. No sweltering heat, no freezing gusts—just that sweet spot where you can fish for hours without wanting to run inside. But wait, my brother mentioned it’s supposed to rain every day starting tomorrow. Ugh, typical. But today? Today was ours to lose.

My Brother’s “Expert” Advice (Spoiler: I Don’t Listen)

So my brother’s like, “I’ve fished this new spot before, but it’s not great.” Classic. He’s always downplaying good spots because he’s scared I’ll outfish him (which I do… regularly). But whatever—new spot is a new spot, right? I grabbed my gear: 3.9m rod, 1.2 mainline, 0.8 fluorocarbon leader, and size 2 hook. Oh, and my go-to bait: Nan Ji (wait, no—wait, in English? Wait, the original was a Chinese bait, but let’s just call it “freshwater bait mix” for now).

My brother immediately starts nagging: “Hook’s too small! Leader’s too thin! You’ll never catch a big carp with that!” Blah blah blah. Newsflash: Every time I use this setup, I catch more (and bigger) fish than him. His big catches always end with “oh no” (you know, when the fish breaks the line or slips away). Meanwhile, I’ve landed so many big crucian carp I’ve lost count. But does he listen? Nope. Classic sibling move.

First Spot: 2m Depth, Zero Bites (What a Drag)

We get to the first spot—2 meters deep (about 6.5 feet), looks like people have fished here before (lots of old bait clumps, broken line). I set up, cast, and wait. And wait. And wait. An hour goes by. Not a single twitch on the float. Nada. Zilch. I’m thinking, “Is this spot dead? Did my brother lie? (Again?)” So I call him: “Hey, how’s it going over there?” He’s like, “Oh, I got a few yellow tails and some crucian carp.” Ugh. Of course he’s catching fish when I’m not. So I pack up and head to his spot.

Second Spot: Finally, Some Action (But Small Fish)

His spot looks okay—shallow, maybe 1.5m? I toss some rice wine bait (you know, the stuff that smells like… well, rice wine) to attract the fish. Then I start casting, one after another. Thirty minutes go by. Still nothing. I’m thinking, “Great, today’s gonna be an air force mission (aka zero catches).” Then—twitch. The float moves! I yank the rod—got one! A tiny crucian carp. But hey, a bite is a bite. And once you get one, the rest usually follow.

Sure enough, the next cast: yellow tail! Not big, but fun to reel in. Then another crucian carp—this one’s a bit bigger, classic wild crucian from the Shan Kaka area. Then a tiny “baby carp” (or whatever you call those tiny ones). They’re not big, but I’m just happy to not be skunked.

What I Learned About the Second Spot

• Yellow tails love the rice wine bait here—they hit it fast
• Crucian carp are more cautious, so you have to wait for the float to dip twice before striking
• The spot gets crowded with small fish first, then bigger ones show up (but today, we didn’t wait that long)

After about 20+ small catches, the bite stops. Dead. No more twitches, no more hits. My bait’s running low, so I decide to call it quits for fishing. But wait—there’s more!

Hidden Gem Found: Tomorrow’s Fishing Spot (Better Than Today’s!)

After packing up, I decide to explore the area. You know, check out the shoreline, see if there are any deeper holes or spots with cover (trees, reeds—fish love that). And boom—I find it. A spot that looks way better than today’s. It’s deeper (maybe 3m), has some reeds on the edge, and the water’s a bit murkier (which usually means more fish). My brother didn’t even mention this spot! Rude. But whatever—tomorrow I’m heading here. I can already taste the big crucian carp I’m gonna catch.

Why This Hidden Spot Is Better

Let’s break it down:

• Deeper water = bigger fish (they hide in deeper spots during the day)
• Reeds = natural cover (fish feel safe here, so they’re more likely to feed)
• Murky water = less chance fish see me (I can sneak up and cast without spooking them)

The Only Bummer: No Fish Photos (Phone = Fish Food)

Oh, and a quick rant: I can’t take any fish photos today. Why? Because last month, I dropped my phone in the water. Yep—total fish food now. So no pics of the tiny crucian or yellow tail. Bummer. But hey, at least I have the memories. And tomorrow, I’m bringing a waterproof case. Lesson learned.

Wrapping Up: Today Wasn’t Perfect, But It Was Fun

So today’s Shan Kaka new fishing spot trip wasn’t exactly a trophy day, but it was still a blast. I caught some fish, found a hidden spot for tomorrow, and proved (again) that my brother’s “expert” advice is hit or miss. If you’re looking for a new spot to fish, don’t be afraid to explore—you never know what hidden gems you’ll find. And if your sibling says a spot is “not great”? Go anyway. Chances are, you’ll outfish them.

Oh, and if you liked this story, hit that follow button and give it a like! I’ll be posting tomorrow’s trip to the hidden spot—so stay tuned. Who knows? Maybe I’ll land that big crucian I’ve been chasing.