"Dried shrimp? It might work theoretically, but it's not really worth it!"
Zhang Yang instinctively shook his head after hearing this.
Dried shrimp, also known as shrimp pieces, are processed shrimp, the most refined part of a shrimp!
In ordinary northern households, they are usually soaked in warm water and then used as a small addition to mix with cold dishes or something similar.
Don't even mention the top grade, even second or third grade ones aren't cheap, using them for fishing spots?
Even for an enthusiast like Zhang Yang, it feels a bit too luxurious.
"As long as it works, who cares if it's luxurious or not! I have a few big bags in the pantry left over, and they'll spoil if not used in time! Using them to lure some bigger fish isn't considered wasteful at all!"
While saying this, Brother Yan showed no concern, as if tens or hundreds of bucks per pound were now worthless and could be casually squandered.
Zhang Yang hesitated, slightly turning his head to look at Brother Cheng, and asked, "This... doesn't seem right, don't you think, Brother Cheng!"
When Zhang Yang asked this, he wanted Brother Cheng to stop this seemingly crazy suggestion, but to his surprise, Brother Cheng and Brother Yan's opinions were surprisingly unified.
"If the class leader says it's fine, then just go ahead! Don't be so tangled up about it!
Besides, he probably didn't buy it himself, it's likely a gift, and it's a waste to throw them away when they go bad. It's better to use them for the fishing spot!
Listen to Old Yan, that's settled. After lunch, let's try it in the afternoon!"
Since both Brother Yan and Brother Cheng agreed, Zhang Yang couldn't insist any further, so he nodded, and the plan was decided.
Thinking about the fishing in the afternoon, everyone didn't drink during lunch. They were full and left for the fishing spot at around one o'clock, carrying half a bag of dried shrimp.
The color of these dried shrimp was slightly darker compared to fresh ones, indicating they were last year's stock.
Zhang Yang soaked them in a bit of water to prepare them and then mixed in a large amount of grain-type bait, along with a small portion of aged corn, quickly managed to make a big bucket of bait.
Compared to the bait prepared with carp blood and flesh in the morning, the cost of this afternoon's bait was even higher. Calculated at a minimum of fifty bucks per pound, the cost of this bait exceeded four hundred bucks.
However, having made the decision, Zhang Yang didn't regret it. After everything was adjusted, he began sprinkling the bait at a small spoonful per minute, trying to lure the bigger carp into the spot.
Under Zhang Yang's precise water control, the bait for the fishing spot had a moderate dry spread, and when using the bait spoon to sprinkle, it didn't stick together into large clumps causing too much noise, but could be easily spread within one to two meters around the fishing spot.
An hour passed by while baiting the spot.
Zhang Yang and Xiao Hui changed spots, now positioned in the middle between Xiao Hui and Brother Cheng's spots. Initially, the companions on both sides were hopeful, but as time passed without results, they gradually became lax and relaxed.
No knowing when the fish would come or if the new bait would be effective, Xiao Hui and Brother Cheng simply added some jujube-scented bait for carp and started fishing for carp again.
The time between 1:30 to 2:30 PM is peak season for carp to feed. After adding bait, Xiao Hui and Brother Cheng started getting bites again, occasionally catching larger carps.
Both sides were catching fish, but Zhang Yang's spot remained inactive. Anyone else would probably lose patience, but Zhang Yang knew what he wanted, prepared mentally for success or failure, so he continued with a steady baiting rhythm, waiting for changes in the fish situation.
Another hour passed unknowingly, and the original full bait bucket had been used more than halfway, but the target carp bites still showed no sign of improvement.
As it approached 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the sun moved from directly south towards the southwest, and Zhang Yang's bait bucket was down to its last.
"Captain, it seems this tactic isn't working too well! Are you thirsty? Want some water?" asked Xiao Yi, who was in charge of filming, softly behind Zhang Yang.
Zhang Yang reached for a bottle of Wahaha, opened it and took a big gulp, then grabbed the bait spoon with his right hand and sprinkled another half spoonful.
At this moment, Xiao Hui, with a cigarette in his mouth, began talking: "Brother Cheng, are you getting any bites? Strange, after I caught a pair on the previous rod, it suddenly went quiet!"
Brother Cheng replied: "I'm not getting bites anymore either! Maybe we've passed the carp feeding time and the fish swam away? Weird! Maybe we should add more bait and try again?"
The speaker might have been unintentional, but the listener took notice. Zhang Yang, hearing their conversation, suddenly felt alert.
Zhang Yang couldn't help but lower his voice and said, "Hold on! Could it be there's a big fish nearby?"
"Uh? Could it be that big fish have come near?"
Experienced anglers know a common fact: when the spot suddenly goes quiet after a streak of catches, there's a high chance a big fish has entered the area!
Without Zhang Yang reminding them, Xiao Hui and Brother Cheng hadn't considered this, but when reminded, it seemed possible.
"Stay quiet, let me try casting again!"
Zhang Yang gestured for silence, then checked the fishing setup to confirm it wasn't worn down, before quickly baiting with two pieces, swung his arm gently, and the setup swiftly landed in the fishing area.