Zhang Yang is not the type to keep things to himself. As long as he considers someone a friend who genuinely wants to learn fishing techniques, he will teach them without holding back.
Wang Jun usually hangs out with Old Zhao and has long been familiar with Zhang Yang. Seeing his interest, Zhang Yang personally demonstrated the key points of this "Triangle Cannon" baiting method. Wang Jun was quite humble and kept trying repeatedly, soon becoming quite adept at it.
"Your turn to try! Don't rush to take the bait, use the method I taught and fish for a while! There are fish in the spot, but not many, let it settle a bit more!"
"Alright, I'll try your fishing method! By the way, earlier when you added pure grains to the bait material, was that to absorb water?"
Wang Jun was smart, already beginning to infer new ideas from what he learned.
Zhang Yang nodded: "Exactly! If the bait material is too watery, it becomes too sticky and breaks down slowly in water, reducing its fish-attracting effect! The bait used to attract fish doesn't need to stay on the hook too long, just reaching the feeding point is enough!"
Wang Jun nodded repeatedly, casting the triangle bait into the feeding spot one rod after another, quietly waiting for the fish to gather.
In ponds where other anglers were still using hand-cast groundbait or throwing bombs to replenish the feeding spots, this new idea of dispersing the "Cannon Bait" had an astonishingly effective fish-attracting power.
After Wang Jun made more than ten casts, the double-hook bait had just reached the spot when suddenly, there was a clear and decisive bite at the surface!
He lifted the rod and struck the fish! Got it!!
Zhang Yang grabbed the fishing net to help Wang Jun land the fish.
For the next hour or so, Zhang Yang would cast seven or eight times and then wait for two casts, following Zhang Yang's fishing rhythm.
The fish bites in the new spot grew more stable, and within less than an hour, Wang Jun had caught five more "little piggies" from the spot.
Adding the four fish already in the fish keeper, the total catch reached nine! At least 30 pounds!
For anglers used to high-density fishing in heavily stocked ponds, a 30-pound catch might not seem impressive.
However, in 2012, this nascent commercial carp pond achievement was already remarkable. Today, the fishing ticket was only fifty bucks, and Wang Jun had already "made a profit" (See Note ①)!
"The technique you taught me is genius! Just a few casts and it bites like crazy! Here comes another one, off you go!"
Seizing the opportunity, Wang Jun lifted the rod and landed the tenth fish!
"Haha, your bait is wicked! Care for a cigarette?"
Zhang Yang grinned and pulled out a cigarette, offering one to Wang Jun.
The two were merrily fishing and complimenting each other when a guy, over 5 feet tall, with a shaved head, protruding belly, and a face full of flab, shuffled over in slippers.
"You two should know when to quit! The total fishing fee is fifty bucks, and you've caught quite a few of my fish! One person pays, two fishing — that's not how we do things!"
Startled by the sudden remark, Zhang Yang and Wang Jun looked up almost simultaneously.
Wang Jun glanced at Diao Changhe and said displeased: "Old Diao, what do you mean by that? What do you mean one person pays and two fish? We just have one rod in the water! My friend came over, and he can't toss a few casts for fun?"
The short, chubby man's real name was Diao Changhe, the owner of this pay pond, who had been sneakily watching from the boardroom through a window. He was so distressed seeing Wang Jun frequently catch fish that he couldn't help but confront them.
"Is tossing a few casts for fun what you call it? The total fishing fee is only fifty bucks. Come on now, don't act like we don't see each other often."
Diao Changhe, seeing Wang Jun's unfriendly tone, backed down a bit.
"Why do you care how much I catch? Paying to fish is a given! Can't you handle it?
When my friend and I came fishing before and caught nothing, why didn't you say you'd refund us? Now that we're catching some of your fish, you start making a fuss?"
Wang Jun would not relent, getting even more agitated, and stood up directly from his fishing spot.
Zhang Yang pulled Wang Jun back, smiling warmly as he offered the owner a cigarette: "Forget it, it's just for fun, why take it so seriously? We're just fishing the morning, we'll be leaving soon!
Please bear with us, boss! The fish are biting well today, we can help advertise for the pond with photos of the catch!"
With the opening Zhang Yang provided, Diao Changhe accepted the cigarette and said: "This young brother speaks better than Xiao Wang! You keep fishing; I'm leaving! Half a day, you said it yourselves, pack up by noon!"
"Alright, alright, half a day it is!"
Zhang Yang pulled Wang Jun again, signaling him not to say anything, and Diao Changhe, cigarette in mouth, finally walked off, shaking his head.
Once the pond owner left, Wang Jun grumbled: "Xiao Zhang, why do you put up with this nonsense? At our doorstep, why should you be afraid of him? Old Diao always shows up when others catch fish, such a buzzkill!"
Zhang Yang chuckled quietly: "We're here to fish, the thrill of catching fish is our goal!
There's an old saying, 'Rather compete with a gentleman than measure against a villain!'
Think about it, shouting ourselves hoarse while he's unfazed, what do we gain from that? The more you want to get back at him, the less you should let him find fault. If he stops us from fishing, he wins!
Now in the low-stock pond, we should wait for his temper to cool, then take advantage when we can!"
"Ugh, now that you put it that way, there's a point..."
"Haha. Quick, cast the rod, we've fallen behind by arguing!"
Zhang Yang rested his right hand on Wang Jun's shoulder, motioning for him to sit down, and the two resumed fishing.
If Diao Changhe hadn't shown up, the two might have relaxed their casting pace over time, but now that Wang Jun was fired up, he was determined to catch even more fish from the pond, casting with extra zeal.
Until after eleven, Zhao Bingguang had no more bites on his side and sauntered over to where Zhang Yang and Wang Jun were.
"How much have you caught over here? Any bites left? I haven't had any bites for over an hour! When are we leaving?"
Seeing Zhao Bingguang approaching, Wang Jun enthusiastically exclaimed: "Thirteen fish! Old Zhao, let me tell you, Xiao Zhang's techniques are incredible! We've still got bites in the spot, made Old Diao so mad! We promised him to stop fishing at noon!"
"That much? I could see from across the pond you two were catching fish steadily! What's your secret weapon? Spill it?"
"I'll tell you back at the store!" Zhang Yang gave a knowing glance, and Old Zhao nodded.
"Alright, I'll pack up first and wait for you! I'm taking my catch back, these big carp are quite rare, I'll gift them to someone!"
"Great!"
...
At eleven fifty-five, Diao Changhe came over again.
Without saying a word, he stood on a small mound seven or eight meters away, watching the fishing spot to signal that once it's time, they should stop fishing!
Wang Jun was also someone with a temper, the more insistent the other party was, the more he intended to fish until exactly noon before putting down the rod and packing up!
"Boss Diao! Can you help weigh the fish? Didn't you want to take pictures for advertising?" Zhang Yang gave a friendly reminder.
"Alright, I'll get a plastic basket!" Diao Changhe nodded, turned around, and headed back to the movable boardroom.
"Are you taking the fish home, or selling them back?" Zhang Yang asked casually.
"I'll take two big ones home, the rest I'll sell back! Can't keep that many at home, and we can't eat them all!"
"Okay!"
In no time, Diao Changhe came over with the basket, and Zhang Yang grabbed the mouth of the fishing net, lifting it out!
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Note ①: "Profit" (上岸) is a colloquial term among anglers for the amount of fish caught exceeding the cost of the fishing fee. It was coined by trap-pond anglers. There are corresponding terms like "waist-deep," "ankle-deep," and "over-head" states.