Finally, the Sun’s Out—Time to Hit Qishui River for Some Winter Fishing Fun!
Ugh, let’s talk about the weather first—those gloomy, gray days lasted way too long, right? I was starting to forget what the sun even looked like! But then bam, last week the sky cleared up, and that warm, golden sunlight hit my face, and I thought, “Today’s the day—I’m grabbing my rod and heading to Qishui River.” No more moping inside; the fish were probably as bored of the cold as I was!
Let me set the scene: the sun was rising, painting the river surface with these soft, orange streaks. The water looked so calm, and you could almost feel the little fishies waking up, stretching, and thinking, “Hey, it’s warm—let’s go find food!” I stood there for a second just taking it in—grateful for the nice weather, grateful that fishing gives me these little moments of peace. Then I snapped out of it—time to fish, not daydream!
My Winter Fishing Gear & Setup: No Guesswork, Just Proven Stuff
Before I dive into the action, let’s break down what I brought—because winter fishing is all about the right gear. You can’t just use your summer setup and expect results, trust me. Here’s my exact kit from that day:
- Date: January 19th (perfect timing—right before the New Year rush)
- Location: Under Taishan Road Bridge on Qishui River (my go-to spot when the weather’s nice)
- Weather: Bright sunny day (air temp was still below 0°C in the morning, but by noon it warmed up a few degrees—game-changer)
- Fishing Rod: 5.4m Taiwan-style rod (light enough to hold for hours, but sturdy enough for those winter fish that fight harder than you think)
- Bait Combo: All-Round Fishy Lure + Red Worms (this is my secret weapon—wait till I tell you why)
- Hooks: Size 1 Sleeve Hook (tiny, but winter fish have small mouths—you need something they can easily bite)
- Line Setup: 0.8 main line + 0.4 leader line (super thin, so the fish don’t get spooked)
- Float: Yiwei Reed Float (let me rave about this later—it saved my day)
I know what you’re thinking: “0.4 leader line? That’s too thin!” But here’s the thing—winter fish are slow, their mouths are tight, and if your line is too thick, they’ll feel it and swim away. I’ve made that mistake before—used a 0.6 leader once and got zero bites. Never again!
Taishan Road Bridge: The Winter Fishing Hotspot (And Why Everyone Loves It)
When I got to Taishan Road Bridge, I wasn’t surprised to see a bunch of other anglers already there. This spot is legendary in winter—why? Because the water under the bridge is a little deeper and calmer, so the fish cluster there to stay warm. Plus, the bridge blocks some of the wind, which makes standing there for hours way more comfortable.
I walked around to say hi to a few guys—one of them had already caught 10+ fish! I was like, “Whoa, you started early!” He laughed and said, “The sun was up at 6, so I was here at 6:30. The fish are hungry today!” That gave me a huge confidence boost. I found a spot (thanks to a nice guy who moved over to make room—shoutout to all the friendly anglers out there!) and got to work.
The Bait Hack That Won Me the Day: All-Round Lure + Red Worms
Let’s get to the good stuff—my bait combo. I’ve tried so many things in winter: plain red worms, frozen bait, even corn (don’t judge, I was desperate). But nothing works like mixing all-round fishy lure with red worms. Here’s why:
- The all-round lure has a strong, fishy smell that attracts fish from far away (it’s like a dinner bell for them).
- The red worm is the “real food” payoff—once the fish come over for the lure smell, they see the wriggling red worm and can’t resist biting.
I prepped the lure at home with warm water, by the way—pro tip: if you mix bait outside in winter, the cold water makes it take forever to “wake up.” Doing it at home saves so much time. When I got to the bridge, I just grabbed a small ball of lure, rolled it onto the hook, and then added a tiny red worm on top. Perfect.
First Cast, First Catch: The Yiwei Float Saved My Eyes (And My Fish)
I cast my line into the water, and let me tell you about that Yiwei reed float—wow. The sun was shining bright, but the float’s red and green tail was so clear I could see every little twitch. No squinting, no leaning over the bridge—just easy, clear signals. Within 2 minutes, the float dipped down slightly, and I thought, “Is that a bite?” I lifted the rod gently… and felt a little tug! I reeled it in, and there was my first fish—small, golden, and wriggling. I did a little happy dance (don’t worry, no one was watching… or if they were, they probably did the same thing earlier).
The Fish Bite Frenzy: Double Hooks & Nonstop Action
After that first catch, it was like the floodgates opened. Let me paint the picture: every time I cast the line, the float would sink within 3-5 minutes. If it didn’t move right away, I’d give the rod a tiny flick to “tease” the fish—you know, make the bait wiggle a little. And boom, instant bite. I wasn’t just catching one fish at a time, either—at one point, I reeled in two fish on the same hook! Double hooks in winter? That’s unheard of unless the fish are super active.
I lost count after 20 fish—my hands were a little cold, but I didn’t care. The excitement kept me warm. Other anglers were looking over, and one guy yelled, “Hey, you’re on fire today!” I just laughed and said, “It’s the bait combo—try it!” By noon, my bucket was half full, and I was feeling pretty proud of myself.
Why This Day Was So Special (And My Top Winter Fishing Tips for You)
As the sun started to set, I packed up my gear and sat on the bridge for a minute. The sky was pink, the river was quiet, and I felt that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you have a perfect day. Let me share the real reasons I did so well—these tips are gold for winter fishing:
1. Don’t Skip the Bait Combo: Lure + Live Worms = Magic
Like I said earlier, the all-round lure attracts fish with its smell, and the red worm seals the deal. In winter, fish are less likely to take risks—they want something that looks and smells real. If you only use lure, they might sniff it and swim away. If you only use red worms, you might not attract enough fish. Mix them? Game over.
2. Go Small or Go Home: Tiny Gear = More Bites
Winter fish have tiny mouths and are skittish. My size 1 hook and 0.4 leader line were non-negotiable. I’ve seen guys use big hooks in winter and come home empty-handed—don’t be that guy.
3. Tease the Fish: Don’t Just Wait
Winter fish are slow—they won’t chase your bait like they do in summer. If your float isn’t moving after 5 minutes, lift the rod a little to make the bait wiggle. It mimics a real worm moving, and fish can’t resist.
4. Pick the Right Float: Visibility Is Everything
That Yiwei reed float was a lifesaver. In bright sunlight, some floats get washed out, but this one’s red and green tail stood out. I never missed a bite because I couldn’t see the float—worth every penny.
5. Be Nice to Your Fellow Anglers
Shoutout to the guy who gave me a spot—fishing is better when we’re all friendly. No one likes a guy who hoggs the best spot or doesn’t share tips. Plus, you never know—someone might tell you a secret spot or a bait hack that changes your day.
Before I wrap up, let me just say: if you’re feeling cooped up this winter, grab your rod and find a sunny spot. The fish are waiting, and the peace of being by the water is unbeatable. I’m already planning my next trip—maybe try a new spot, but I’ll definitely bring the same bait combo. It’s my lucky charm now!
Oh, and happy New Year to all my fellow anglers—may your lines be tight, your floats be clear, and your buckets be full. And to the Fishing Home platform—keep doing what you’re doing, you guys make this hobby so much fun!
