After the anglers who arrived later switched bait according to Zhang Yang's suggestions, they soon started catching fish. The spot wasn't great, so the catch rate was a bit low, but they still managed to reel in a few fish every now and then, which was much better than staring blankly at the water.
A small packet of homemade herbal rice for making wine performed exceptionally well near the village's southern bend, outshining conventional commercial bait.
The favorable fishing conditions in the morning continued until after nine, with the overall bite gradually slowing down. Even the second batch of arriving anglers managed to catch at least five or six pounds of big crucian carp, while nearby anglers fished and chatted quietly, all discussing the rice for making wine.
Among all these people, the tall and thin guy was the only one who didn't buy bait. He arrived at dawn, and now his fish basket contained only seven or eight fish, even less than those who came later.
"Hey, Lao Hou, what's on your mind? Not quite yourself today, huh? Not in the zone?" An angler beside him glanced at the tall and thin guy, threw over a pack of White General cigarettes.
"Humph, it's just some crappy rice for making wine, what's so impressive about it? Really think you're a businessman, huh? Next time, I'll just add a bag of Maru 5 to the bait, I don't believe it won't catch fish! No matter how good this bait is, I don't care!" Hou Xiaobing said disdainfully, curling his lips.
The companion, sensing his mood was off, didn't say anything.
Maru 5 that Hou Xiaobing referred to is a type of Japanese-imported Marukyu brand bait, primarily milk-flavored, made from potato starch and wheat protein. Its retail price is 35 yuan per package, containing five small packs, each weighing only 37 grams, with each small pack costing 7 yuan! Imported bait is sparse and exorbitant, generally used by advanced anglers in competitive fishing, but for wild fishing, the effect is uncertain, yet definitely extravagant. What Hou Xiaobing said was obviously just stubborn talk.
Seeing the angler next door remain silent, Hou Xiaobing sullenly smoked his cigarette. After finishing one, he glanced at Lao Zhao, who was still catching fish, gritted his teeth, packed up his gear, and decided to quit early.
"Lao Zhao, got some family stuff, preparing to wrap up and head out first, alright!" Hou Xiaobing called out.
Hearing Hou Xiaobing's shout, Zhao Bingguang frowned slightly: "What's up, heading back so early?"
"Yeah, got something urgent! How about you? Need Xiao Wang to drive you back?"
"Alright, take it slow, I'll have them send me back!"
Not long after Hou Xiaobing drove off in his Tianlai, Zhao Bingguang walked over to Wang Jun, who had offered him the cigarette earlier.
"What's the story? Why did Xiaobing leave so early?"
Wang Jun curled his lips: "What else could it be, got pissed about the bait, heading home to buy Maru 5 for the bait!
Hou isn't really strapped for cash, just likes to take a small advantage now and then!
If you ask me, Zhao, you should never have driven with him to fish. Next time when your car's getting maintained, I'll drive you instead!"
"Just that, huh? I thought it was something else! Alright, got it!"
Zhao Bingguang nodded, stood at Wang Jun's fishing spot for a while, then soon returned to his spot, added some bait, and continued fishing.
Zhang Yang observed Hou Xiaojun's small bout in silence, not uttering a word. Out in society, there are all sorts of people; it's unnecessary to let someone like that affect your mood.
After ten o'clock, Zhang Yang noticed the fish at his spot were slowing down, so he added about two ounces of bait, then set aside his rod and began strolling around the bend.
Zhang Yang deeply understood that the first sale is just the beginning; turning anglers into regular customers requires a long journey.
Though Zhang Yang seemed to stroll aimlessly, he was actually gathering useful information; one could glean a person's fishing skill through their actions.
With initial observations, later he can manage more precisely, turning unfamiliar anglers into regular customers and eventually into loyal patrons.
After wandering about, Zhang Yang had a preliminary assessment of the group; overall, their skills were rather average, with Lao Zhao being slightly more adept.
Moreover, Zhang Yang stumbled upon important information; those who arrived first were acquainted privately, often fishing together, including the earlier departing Hou Xiaojun.
Unnoticed, Zhang Yang wandered to the rear of Zhao Bingguang's fishing spot.
Lao Zhao, having just baited, was idle. Seeing Zhang Yang approach, he casually pulled out a cigarette and handed one to Zhang Yang.
"Did the bites slow? You were catching fish nonstop earlier this morning!"
Zhang Yang shielded the flame to light the cigarette: "Yeah, there was a flurry of activity; got about fifteen to twenty pounds of crucian carp!
Today, though the bend was bustling, the bites were pretty good! A few days back, fishing solo here, I'd get about the same harvest!"
"How old are you? Where do you work? Your fishing skills are quite impressive!" Lao Zhao nodded, continuing his inquiry.
"I'm 20 this year, graduated high school last year and didn't continue. Unemployed for now, always loved fishing since childhood, just planning to earn some spare cash with this skill!" Zhang Yang calmly described his current situation.
"The rice for making wine is indeed effective, but relying solely on it won't fill your belly; better to learn a trade and find a stable job!"
"You're right, my uncle has arranged for me to handle maintenance at the township's textile factory, though I haven't checked in yet, waiting for the notice!"
"That indeed is a technical job!"
The conversation hit a slight lull; however, Zhang Yang seemingly understood what Lao Zhao was getting at, remaining silent, calmly smoking.
A few seconds later, Lao Zhao continued: "Xiao Hou is hot-headed; though short-tempered, he's not a bad person!"
Zhang Yang grinned: "Good or bad, they're your friends, not mine! I just want to earn some money with my skills!
Appreciation is welcome, but lack thereof is also faced calmly; I'm not a hundred-yuan note, can't please everyone!"
"Haha, young man, you're quite mature for your age!"
Just a brief chat, but Zhang Yang left a pretty good impression on Zhao Bingguang.
This young lad may be small in years, yet his mindset is stable and composed, an outstanding trait among his peers.
"To promote your rice for making wine, relying solely on field demos by the river won't suffice; utilizing the power of QQ groups is key to expanding influence and making money!
How's the production of your homemade rice for making wine? I can add you to fishing groups, help advertise!"
Impressed by the fishing group idea, Zhang Yang's mind clicked; he'd overlooked it.
Having used WeChat frequently, yet it's not widely adopted; QQ remains dominant.
"Wonderful! What's your QQ? I'll add you as a friend!" Zhang Yang expressed keen interest.
Soon, Zhang Yang added Zhao Bingguang as a QQ friend, then Lao Zhao invited him to a group named W City Fishing Home, a community with 500 members.