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| A fish biting the fishing line |
From rivers and lakes
Quickly preparing his fishing gear and patiently sitting from eight in the morning until two in the afternoon, Mr. Tran Van Hieu, a citizen of Huong Thuy Town, has caught quite a few carp in his basket submerged in the murky water’s edge. Passionate about fishing for over 10 years, he’s mastered both the experience and knowledge of fishing in rivers and lakes.
“Following heavy rains, as floodwaters rise and stay high, fish begin an aggressive feeding frenzy, particularly when the sun comes out. So in fishing enthusiast groups, whenever a member announces and shares locations where fish are feeding, everyone gathers there very quickly,” shared Hieu.
In rising waters, there will be local specialty fish, including spotted scat and rabbit fish in lakes. In large rivers, besides tilapia and anabas, freshwater pomfret, grass carp, silver carp, and common carp often take the bait.
Mr. Hieu added that anglers typically choose appropriate hooks and bait depending on the fish bubbles (air bubbles produced by fish). “For denser, slower bubbles, anglers will choose carp bait. Tilapia create larger, more scattered bubbles. Silver carp and grass carp bubbles cluster together rather than shaping in lines. Beyond scented ground bait, worms serve as an effective alternative. Anglers choose their optimal hook style based on multiple factors: the water's salinity (brackish or salt), the fishing environment (lakes or rivers), and the fish’s feeding behavior (whether they strike from below or horizontally),” explained Mr. Hieu.
Just over twenty steps away from Mr. Hieu, Mr. Nguyen Cuong, a citizen from Hue City, caught fewer fish despite having two years of experience. Laughing it off, he cheerfully told us: “Yesterday I caught plenty, but today I’m a bit ‘unlucky’ (caught few fish). Even so, this is enough fish for a family meal, and fish caught during high water are notably more flavorful than those caught in normal conditions.”
Anglers remain jovial with simple pleasures, whether lucky or unlucky, because beyond the catch, the joy of fishing comes from moments of sharing information with each other and the exciting, calm moments of waiting for fish to bite.
To the Sea
When stormy seas finally calm, enthusiasts of mechanized fishing take their turn at the waters. Word of fish striking bait along the coastal stretches of Phu Vang and Phu Loc districts spreads quickly, drawing dedicated anglers who willingly journey dozens of kilometers to the shore for a chance at a catch.
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| The results of experience and luck in sea fishing |
Along with his friend at Bang beach (Lang Co town, Phu Loc district), Mr. Van Hung, a citizen from Hue City, caught many pompano fish. He recalled: “When people reported there were fish, my friend and I came here right away. Fortunately, it was on the weekend, so I could both relax after a stressful work week and get fresh, delicious seafood.”
As Mr. Hung said, pompano has delicious meat quality and is a specialty of the coastal region. When arriving at the beach, anglers use beach casting techniques to throw the sinker and bait dozens of meters away from the water’s edge. With shrimp bait and skilled fishing techniques, omnivorous sea fish are likely to take the bait.
As for Mr. Hung, whether fishing in the sea, river, or lagoon, fishing enthusiasts need to accumulate a lot of experience. Not only must they understand fish behavior, but each angler also needs to learn and remember the characteristics of water conditions in each area. Therefore, although fishing can be practiced year-round, anglers’ skills are most challenged when the tide rises. “Of course, luck is an essential factor, which is why people with similar experience levels might have different results. Some catch 5-7kg of fish, while others only catch a few. The key to success lies in unwavering determination, a steady hand, and a genuine passion for the craft. Master these, and your fish basket will surely overflow,” explained Mr. Hung.