As a fishing tackle company based in Hunan, the nearest water body to us is the Xiang River, where we often go fishing. The Xiang River is the largest river in Hunan, stretching 844 kilometers with a basin area of 94,660 square kilometers. Our fishing spot is downstream where the river flows more slowly and widens due to the construction of downstream dams, causing sediment accumulation on the riverbed. This results in muddy beaches along the Xiang River, which are rich in vegetation during spring and summer. Submerged plants provide food, habitat, and breeding grounds for fish after water levels rise. You can often see groups of omnivorous fish like barbel chub, grass carp, bream, and common carp, as well as predators like topmouth culter, mongolia culter, and yellow-cheek carp, which follow bait fish to shallow waters. In autumn and winter, when the water level of the Xiang River is low, extensive mud flats appear. On sunny days, the water temperature rises faster in shallow areas, attracting fish to feed at noon during cold seasons. Throughout the year, the mud flats of the Xiang River are excellent fishing spots.
Fishing in the Xiang River sometimes feels like fishing on a beach, especially when the water level is low. At this time, fishing for barbel chub is similar to catching redfish or bonefish, while fishing for yellow cheek carp is like catching trevally or barracuda. Fishing in the Xiang River can also feel like fishing in a tropical rainforest lake, especially when the water level is high. The river water overflows onto the grassland, divided by trees and reeds into interconnected waterways or independent water bodies.
When fishing in the Xiang River, you'll need a pair of wading pants. The riverbank often has branches and thorny grass, so wading pants can protect your legs from harm. They also help you navigate muddy riverbanks more easily. When walking, be mindful of the noise you make; loud footsteps can easily scare fish nearby. Also, minimize false casts as fish in shallow water are very alert and any abnormal movement can spook them.
For fishing barbel chub, bream, and culter, a rod around 5wt is suitable. For yellow cheek carp, you'll need an 8wt or stronger rod. Since the Xiang River's banks are shallow, a floating line is sufficient for most situations. Fish on shallow bars mostly feed at the bottom, so typically we use nymphs sized #14-#12 with a small tungsten bead. For yellow cheek carp, use streamers sized #2-#2/0 or even larger, as they are fearless predators that can strike very close to you. One yellow cheek carp even bit my wooly bugger when it was about 4 meters away from me.
