Unlocking New Horizons in Fishing: Essential Tips from Novice to Expert​

I. Precise Rod Selection: The First Step to Start Your Fishing Journey​

1. Selecting the Rod According to the Target Fish Species​

Different fish require different fishing rods. For catching small fish like crucian carp, it is recommended to choose a soft-tip rod ranging from 3.6 to 4.5 meters. Its flexibility allows you to feel the slightest bites. If you’re targeting large fish such as carp and grass carp, a hard-tip rod over 5.4 meters is more suitable. The hard-tip rod has strong backbone, enabling you to effectively resist the impact of big fish and prevent the rod from breaking and the fish from escaping.​

2. Selecting the Rod Considering the Fishing Environment​

When fishing in narrow small rivers and ponds, short rods are more maneuverable. In open waters like reservoirs and lakes, long rods can cast farther, covering a larger fishing area. Meanwhile, if there are many obstacles around the fishing spot, a medium-hard-tip rod facilitates quick fish retrieval, avoiding the fish getting hooked in the obstacles and escaping.​

II. Prime Fishing Spots: Discovering the “Secret Bases” of Fish​

1. Finding Fishing Spots by Season​

In spring, as the water temperature gradually rises, the shallow water warms up quickly. Areas near water plants and sunny shallows are great places for fish to forage and spawn. In summer, due to the heat, fish tend to hide in deep waters, under tree shades, or beside bridge piers, where it’s cooler and the dissolved oxygen content is high. In autumn, when fish feed heavily, areas where food gathers, such as backwaters and promontories, often attract numerous fish schools. In winter, with low water temperature, the sunny and leeward deep waters are relatively stable in temperature, serving as the hiding places for fish to overwinter.​

2. Finding Fishing Spots by Observing Water Features​

Observe whether there are fish bubbles (bubbles on the water surface) on the water. The bubbles of different fish have various shapes. For example, the bubbles of carp are fine and in clusters, while those of grass carp are larger and also in clusters. In addition, areas like inlets, and places with rocks and water plants at the bottom of the water have high dissolved oxygen content and abundant food, which are the favored habitats of fish.​

III. Fish Attracting Magic: The Matching and Use of Baits​

1. Skillful Use of Natural Baits​

Earthworms are known as the “universal bait”. When hooking an earthworm, pierce it through the head, and let the tail wriggle in the water to enhance the fish-attracting effect. They are highly attractive to fish like crucian carp and catfish. Redworms are extremely effective for winter fishing. Bundle them into small bunches with red thread and hook them. Their strong fishy smell can stimulate fish to bite.​

2. Scientific Blending of Commercial Baits​

Blend baits according to the target fish species and seasons. For catching crucian carp, use fishy-flavored baits in spring and light-flavored baits with milk or wheat aroma in summer. When fishing for carp, you can add corn essence, snail meat powder, etc. to the bait to enhance its fish-attracting effect. When blending, strictly follow the bait-to-water ratio, stir evenly and let it stand to allow the bait to fully absorb water, achieving the right softness and hook-holding property.​

IV. Keen Capture: Seizing the Optimal Hook Setting Timing​

1. Bite Signals of Different Fish Species​

When crucian carp bites, the float usually twitches a few times first, and then slowly rises or sinks. At this time, you should set the hook decisively. When carp bites, the float first makes a strong downward jerk, and then submerges completely. After seeing the float submerge, pause slightly before setting the hook to prevent the hook from failing to fully penetrate the fish’s mouth. When grass carp bites, the movement of the float is large. It may submerge quickly or be pulled away obliquely. When such float movements are detected, set the hook promptly.​

2. Responses to Special Float Movements​

If the float shows continuous twitching and rapid up-and-down movements, it may be small fish disturbing. You can change to larger and harder bait balls or adjust the flavor of the bait. When the float rises slowly and then stops sinking, it may be that the fish has the bait in its mouth but hasn’t swallowed it yet. At this time, you can gently lift the fishing rod to make the hook pierce the fish’s mouth.