The Top Fishing
Chapter 209 - 147: Fishing at Dongting_4

Chapter 209: Chapter 147: Fishing at Dongting_4

Today’s first target is the meter-level dogfish, and now, let’s set off, heading north along the lakeshore. The first waypoint is the area where shallow and deep waters meet we picked yesterday."

Under his command, the captain quickly steered the boat toward the waypoint.

The drone overhead maintained its follow mode, with waves surging on both sides of the boat, giving a full sense of motion in the camera’s lens.

"Lure fishing is quite different from platform fishing. While we are on our way, I’ll briefly share my thoughts. If anyone in the live stream wants to learn lure fishing, this can be a good reference."

Although Lin Yang was not new to lure fishing, he had never explained the techniques or tactics of lure fishing to his live audience before.

He now planned to systematically discuss it with his audience.

"Lure fishing mainly targets predatory fish, using various disguises, swimming actions, and sounds of the bait to attract the predators’ attention, which then triggers an attack to catch the fish.

Most lure fishing techniques do not involve ’nesting’ as a concept, mainly relying on the angler’s understanding of the water structure, obstacles, and the fishing environment to locate hidden schools of fish and catch them.

As for casting, posture, and control of the bait, those are the basic skills of this fishing method...."

Opening up, Lin Yang talked about many basic aspects of lure fishing.

Although there were many lure anglers in the live stream, most were ordinary platform anglers. His explanations were like opening a new world for his audience.

More than ten minutes later, the boat reached the nearby location of the waypoint they had discovered the day before. Lin Yang directed a temporary stop to start test fishing.

Under his observation, this area where shallow and deep waters met presented clear green water, with the water quality so clear that many small schools of fish could even be seen.

Sitting in the boat, Li Xiaopeng once again piloted the drone higher to give the audience a bird’s-eye view, where the difference in water color at the junction of depths was clearly visible.

Lin Yang took the opportunity to ask, "Can you see the difference in the water’s color?

The area where deep and shallow waters meet forms complex geological structures underwater. These structures provide fish with terrains for hiding and foraging, so it’s likely that fish will be foraging nearby. I will now choose a beautiful pencil bait and cast a couple of times to try it out."

After a brief introduction, Lin Yang took out a sinking pencil bait from his tackle box, quickly tied the leader, and then swiftly knotted the bait in place.

"The target fish for lure fishing include Gu fish, sea bass, black fish, and dogfish, which are relatively aggressive predators. Now, as the water temperature in the morning is quite low, the activity level of the dogfish might be higher. I’ll reel in a bit slower on the first cast, mainly using a point-pause technique."

Having said that, Lin Yang cast his first line.

He casually lifted his rod, flicked his wrist as if cracking a whip, and cast the bait far out with a motion that was not wide but was very effective.

As he saw the bait nearing the point of water contact, Lin Yang timely pressed the line release.

The PE line just tightened perfectly upon entering the water, he glanced briefly, paused for about three seconds to allow the bait to sink to a certain depth, and then began to slowly and steadily reel in, letting the pencil bait start to display its swimming action.

This was just a very basic casting movement, but to the viewers, it appeared so smooth and skilled.

"Wow, the caster’s casting is crisp and neat, especially the details on how his fingers press the line cup, just like a seasoned pro."

"Damn, why does everyone else’s casting look so smooth and fluid? I also spent over a thousand on a baitcasting reel and even used imported PE lines, each spool costing over a hundred. Ended up going to the fishing site to practice casting and ended with a tangled line, powdered line, cut line all in one go, and never had the courage to practice baitcasting again...."

"Hahaha, my fellow sufferers, let me laugh for a moment. I thought I was the only one, but I’ve already found a trick. I’ve now safely passed the newbie phase, after ruining about five spools of PE line. I got my gear from a friend’s store, he said using domestic lines for practice is fine as good lines would be a waste."

Seeing the livestream viewers discussing baitcasting, Lin Yang slowly controlled his line retrieval while briefly introducing, "Baitcasting reels, a type of casting reel, require systematic and standard learning for beginners. If not handled correctly, it’s easy to end up with bird’s nests, which many of you refer to as ’powdered line.’

After I reel in this cast, I’ll chat with you briefly about how to adjust it. Just follow my method, and you basically won’t experience bird’s nests."

While speaking, Lin Yang smoothly reeled in, touching and twitching the line minimally. Yet, these small actions made the pencil bait seem lively, as if it was a small fish continuously moving in the mid-water layer.

He didn’t catch a fish on the first cast, which Lin Yang expected. After retrieving the bait, Lin Yang gave a close-up of the reel in his hand.

"The reel I’m using has a magnetic brake. Let me show you how to adjust it when you get a new one."

Firstly, set the magnetic brake to around a setting of 10 to give the reel maximum braking power.

Secondly, hold your rod at a 45-degree angle towards the sky and start adjusting the main shaft. Beginners might want to tighten it a bit to avoid bird’s nests, though it will affect the casting distance.

If you have a bit of experience, you can adjust it so that the bait smoothly and evenly comes off the line, ideally continuing to spin the spool even after the bait hits the water, to achieve the best casting distance.

For me, I can adjust it more casually as I have some experience. I usually prefer it looser and control the line with my finger touching the line cup to prevent bird’s nests."

As he spoke, Lin Yang casually cast again, sending the bait flying in a smooth arc toward the distance.

This time, however, he didn’t let the drone camera focus on the bait but kept it on the baitcasting reel in his hand.

The line came off the spool almost without any resistance, and this time the force was much greater, almost causing Lin Yang to empty the spool.

"Wow, is the caster now casting with almost no resistance?"

"That’s incredible, I always thought those lure fishing masters were just boasting online, but there really are people who can cast without using brakes."

Lin Yang smiled and pushed down his rod slightly, "It’s just some basic skills that come with practice; anyone who practices diligently can do it...."

As he was speaking, he suddenly felt an attack on the bait underwater, and the tip of the rod dipped.

After sensing this, his heart skipped a beat, and after waiting half a second, he swiftly lifted the rod: "Got one."

The rod bent into a beautiful arc, he had a bite!

Although he hadn’t seen the fish yet and didn’t know its size, the pull was quite strong; the fish rushed forward powerfully right after getting hooked.