Traditional Fishing: Using Seven-Star Floats to Target Grass Holes

Let’s be real—life isn’t just about surviving, right? It’s about the quiet moments by the water, the thrill of a bite, and the tiny victories that make the day worth it. That’s exactly why I hit the water for a traditional fishing session: chasing big crucian carp in grass holes with seven-star floats. Spoiler: It was a wild ride (with a few facepalm moments).

Setting the Scene: When, Where, and Why

First, let’s get the boring (but crucial) details out of the way. This trip went down on the afternoon of November 2, 2024, at Qinglong River. The weather? Sunny, with temps bouncing between 5°C and 19°C—so layers were a must. Wind was a gentle 2 knots, and barometric pressure sat at 1023 hPa. For any anglers reading, that’s a solid window for late autumn fishing.

Why grass holes? Late autumn (just 5 days before winter solstice!) means big crucian carp are in their “final feeding frenzy” before cold weather shuts things down. They hole up in grassy areas to stay warm and hunt for food. Traditional fishing here? Non-negotiable. And I came prepared… or so I thought.

My “Genius” Pre-Trip Gear Fail

Okay, let’s talk about the float fiasco. Since I’m not a pro at traditional fishing and my eyes aren’t what they used to be, I ordered two “vintage-style super short, high-visibility floats” from a popular online marketplace. I thought, “Short = easier to see in grass holes!” Boy, was I wrong.

As soon as I set up, I realized the problem: these floats were way too thick. I couldn’t adjust them to get the right buoyancy—you know, the sweet spot where a tiny bite shows up clearly. After 15 minutes of fumbling (and muttering), I tossed them aside. Total waste of money. Note to self: Stop buying random gear without research.

Plan B? I grabbed my double-hook rod set, ripped off the long vertical float, and swapped it for a seven-star float rig. Is this a “real” traditional method? Who cares! It felt right, and that’s all that matters when you’re on the water.

Prepping the Battlefield: Grass Hole Setup

Next step: Bait. I went with a proven combo: wine-infused rice (for chumming) and live earthworms (the ultimate crucian carp bait). For chumming, I used a popular local mix called “Wild Crucian Carp Lure.” I targeted 5 grass holes—no reeds, just dense underwater weeds. Each hole got half a chum container’s worth of rice. Why 5? More spots = more chances, especially when fish are on the move.

By 1:40 PM, I was ready to start—moving from south to north, hole by hole. Let’s break down the action.

Hole 1: Total Air (AKA “Why Did I Waste Time Here?”)

First hole? Nada. Zilch. Zero bites. I sat there for 20 minutes, staring at the float, willing a fish to show up. The water was calm, the grass was thick… but no crucian carp. Just my own frustration. Oh well—fishing’s 90% waiting, 10% catching, right?

Hole 2: The First Big Win (Finally!)

Second hole? Game changer. Within 10 minutes, I felt a tiny tug—then the float dipped. I set the hook, and boom! A big crucian carp fought back. It took a minute to reel it in, but when I pulled it out? Wow. That’s the kind of fish that makes you forget all the waiting.

Hole 3: Double Trouble (In the Best Way)

Third hole? I couldn’t believe my eyes. First cast: double hook-up! Two small crucian carp at once. Then, a few minutes later? Another big one. Total for this hole: 3 crucian carp (1 big, 2 small). I was grinning from ear to ear. Who needs fancy gear when you’ve got a good spot?

Hole 4: The Hot Spot (Where the Magic Happened)

Fourth hole? This was the money spot. Non-stop action. I cast, got a bite, reeled in, and repeated—for 40 minutes straight. I even got a few more double hook-ups. The grass here was perfect: not too thick, not too thin, just enough cover for the fish to hide but enough open water to feed. I took a quick pic to prove it (because no pic = no fish, right?)

Hole 5: The One That Got Away (Literally)

Fifth hole? I barely got my line in the water when my phone rang. Ugh. Work call—can’t ignore that. I had to pack up in a hurry (3:40 PM, just 2 hours after I started). No bites here, but hey—oil money is oil money. Gotta pay the bills.

The Final Haul: What Did I Catch?

Let’s tally it up: 2 hours of fishing (well, 1 hour 50 minutes, thanks to the call). Total catch: 4 big crucian carp, 11 small crucian carp, and 5 tiny wheat spikes (those little guys are always pests). Total: 20 fish. Not bad for a late autumn afternoon!

Oh, and here’s a pic of the grassy area I fished—so you can see why the fish loved it. Dense weeds mean safety, and safety means big fish hiding out.

Quick Tips for Traditional Grass Hole Fishing

Before I wrap up, let’s drop a few lessons I learned (the hard way):

• Skip the “vintage” thick floats—stick to seven-star floats for visibility and sensitivity.
• Chum 30-45 minutes before fishing to let the rice sink and attract fish.
• Target grass holes, not reeds—reeds can be too dense for easy casting.
• Live earthworms are non-negotiable for late autumn crucian carp.
• Always bring a phone charger (you never know when a work call will ruin the fun).

At the end of the day, that’s what fishing is about: the little wins, the gear fails, and the quiet moments by the water. I can’t wait to go back—next time, I’ll skip the fancy floats and stick to what works. Until then, tight lines!