Wait, Did I Just Realize Exploration Fishing Is the Best Part of Lure Fishing?
Let’s cut to the chase—last weekend (March 29th and 30th, 2024) changed how I see lure fishing. I used to think the only thrill was hooking a big one, but nope… turns out, wandering around new spots, getting lost in bamboo forests, and even “fishing with zero bites” (we call that “da gui” in Chinese lure slang) can be way more fun than catching a bucket of small fish. Let me spill the tea on my two-day exploration fishing chaos—trust me, it’s full of facepalms, “aha!” moments, and even a cameo from a 2-pound+ zander that ghosted me.
Day 1: March 29th – The “Get Lost & Beg for Tips from Bait Fishermen” Day
Weather was gloomy, around 16-20°C (I was too excited to check the exact temp). I grabbed my spinning reel (2500s) and L-power rod, texted my buddy, and we hit the road. Our plan? Explore new spots—no GPS coordinates, just a vague idea from Google Maps. Spoiler: This was both brilliant and stupid.
Step 1: Google Maps Guessing Game
First, we stared at the map like it held the secret to the universe. “That river bend looks fishy!” I said. My buddy nodded. Spoiler #2: It wasn’t. But hey, exploration fishing is all about guessing, right?
Step 2: Bamboo Forest Obstacle Course
We parked the car and trekked into a bamboo forest. Let me tell you—bamboo branches are evil. They slapped my face, tangled my line, and made me question why I didn’t just stay home and watch fishing videos. We stumbled onto a small clearing by the water, cast a million times… and nothing. Not a single nibble. My buddy sighed, “Let’s bounce.” So we did.
Step 3: The Great Buddy Separation & Bait Fishermen Savior
We got split up (thanks, dense bamboo!). I panicked for 10 seconds, then my phone rang—my buddy found a bait fisherman’s spot! Bait fishermen are lure fishermen’s real MVPs, by the way. If they’re there, the water has fish. I followed his voice, found another bait fisherman’s spot, and thought, “Finally! This is gonna be it!”
Then it started raining. I put on my raincoat, cast until my arm hurt… still no bites. Ugh. We gave up, went back to a spot we’d checked before for the evening bite. No catches, but—wait for it—I saw a 2-pound+ zander swim right up to the shore and just… stare at me. Like, “Nice try, loser.” Okay, fine, at least I saw it. That’s a win? Maybe?
Day 1 Takeaway: Bait Fishermen = Lure Fishermen’s GPS
Never ignore a bait fisherman’s spot. They’ve done the legwork. Also, getting lost in bamboo is not a fun workout.
Day 2: March 30th – The “Oh! The Spot Matters So Much” Day
We skipped the guessing game—straight to the bait fisherman’s spot. My buddy picked the spot where the big zander was seen; I picked his old spot. That’s when I had my “aha!” moment: the spots were upstream and downstream. I explored both, and boom—realization hit like a fish to the face.
The “Wrong Spot” Epiphany
Lure fishermen talk about “sitting on the right spot” (we call it “butt position”), but I never took it seriously. Turns out, it’s exactly like bait fishing! If you’re in the wrong spot, you’re wasting your time. My buddy’s spot (upstream) had the big zander; my spot (downstream) had smaller fish. Duh! Why didn’t I see that earlier?
The Catch (and Confusion) of the Day
I got 6 bites, caught 5, released 3. Let’s break it down:
- VIB lure: 2 bites (but the bottom was super snaggy—lost a lure, oops).
- Switched to a crank hook: 4 bites (slow retrieval was key).
Confusion #1: Crank hook feels. I couldn’t tell the difference between hitting the bottom and a bite. Is it the 3.5g weight? Maybe. First time using it, so I’m still learning.
Confusion #2: Fish size vs. feeding window. Is it just me, or are the bigger fish around before the official feeding window? The big zander was there in the evening (pre-window), but during the peak window, I only caught small ones. Hmm.
Day 2 Takeaway: Spot = Everything
Stop casting randomly. Explore the spot—check upstream, downstream, deep, shallow. Your “butt position” makes or breaks your day.
Why Exploration Fishing Is Actually the Best
Before this weekend, I thought exploration fishing was just “wasting time looking for spots.” Now? It’s the fun part. You get lost, you meet random bait fishermen, you have “aha!” moments that make you a better angler. Even the “da gui” days teach you something—like what spots to avoid next time.
And let’s be real: catching a fish is great, but the story of how you got there? That’s what you tell your friends. My story has bamboo forests, rain, a ghost zander, and a life-changing spot epiphany. Beat that, someone who just sat in one spot all day.
Quick Tips for Fellow Exploration Fishing Newbies
- Follow the bait fishermen. Their spots are gold.
- Explore upstream and downstream—don’t stick to one spot.
- If you can’t tell the difference between bottom hits and bites with a light crank hook (like 3.5g), try a slightly heavier one. Or practice slow retrieval—you’ll get the hang of it.
- Even if you don’t catch anything, watch the water. You might see a big fish (and brag about it later).
So next time you’re tempted to skip exploration and go to your usual spot—don’t. Wander. Get lost. Talk to bait fishermen. You might just learn something, or at least have a funny story. And who knows? You might even catch that big one you’ve been chasing. Happy exploring (and fishing)! 🎣
