Back to the Past to Become a Fishing King

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: The Fishing Spot Was Taken

The group had just learned the basics about explosive fishing bait and thought they had found the secret to a successful catch, eagerly looking forward to the next official fishing event.

They didn’t realize yet that the "secrets" they discovered were just the most basic level of explosive bait fishing, and to fish well, there were still countless details to master.

In the next two days, many anglers, having heard the news, came to Zhang Yang’s shop to buy the miracle bait that promised a big haul. The QQ group’s catch advertisement was incredibly effective, and word of mouth had elevated it to mythical status.

Zhang Yang remained calm in the face of this blind enthusiasm.

When asked about bait preparation and general usage, he would chat briefly but never exaggerated the effects of the bait in front of customers.

This modest attitude left a good impression on many anglers, many of whom added Zhang Yang as a friend on QQ.

Time continued to pass, and before they knew it, it was time for the next fish release event at the Oil House Fishing Ground.

Diao Changhe, having had a good experience last time, directly approached Zhang Yang to help organize angler registrations for the official fishing event. Another 800 pounds of fish would be released, with a charge of one hundred and twenty.

Zhang Yang definitely wouldn’t refuse such a request. After receiving the accurate fish release plan, he helped post an announcement for the next release and quickly received positive responses from the anglers.

With ten spots available, Zhang Yang and two others took three, leaving seven spots mostly for familiar anglers. Even Old Zhao didn’t need to handle things personally this time.

By Wednesday noon, just after lunch, Zhang Yang was planning to take a nap in the shop when Old Zhao and Wang Jun drove over to the store.

Wang Jun urged, "Don’t sleep, let’s go claim a spot! Having two good center positions in a row, people will definitely eye them, and if we’re late, we won’t get them!"

Zhang Yang didn’t have a car and always relied on Old Zhao to drive him. Since they both suggested it, he quickly grabbed his gear and got into the car to head to the fishing ground.

Logically, arriving at twelve-thirty wasn’t late at all, but when they reached the fishing ground, the three of them were dumbfounded!

Both the south and north banks had tackle boxes placed at the crucial center positions, already occupied by others.

"President Diao, what’s going on? Did people really come this early to claim spots?"

Zhao Bingguang wasn’t pleased to see only equipment without people present; this method of claiming spots by just leaving equipment seemed a bit inappropriate.

"It was Qian Wenbo and his group who came to claim the spots. They arrived around eleven and went for lunch afterward. They informed me before leaving! There’s still plenty of space left; can’t you just sit elsewhere?" Diao Changhe explained truthfully.

This left Old Zhao speechless.

As a pond owner, everyone was a familiar customer; he couldn’t show obvious preferential treatment. The rule was that whoever came first got the spots. Besides, Old Qian and Zhang Yang had caught a lot of fish from him, which had left a bit of a sore spot in Diao Changhe’s mind.

"Xiao Zhang, what should we do?" Zhao Bingguang turned to Zhang Yang and asked in a low voice.

Zhang Yang surveyed the center positions; both north banks he had opened were taken, but only one position on the south bank center had a tackle box.

This suggested that there were likely three people on the opposite side.

Recalling what Diao Changhe said, Zhang Yang pictured the three faces that had visited his shop earlier in his mind.

After a brief thought, Zhang Yang said, "Let them have it! The center isn’t the only good spot. You and Jun go to the south bank, and I’ll open a new spot next to them on the north bank!

Continue with our previous strategy; it won’t be affected!"

"Aren’t we sharing one spot this time?" Old Zhao was a bit surprised by this answer.

Sharing a spot with Zhang Yang last time was quite thrilling, feeling more in control than fishing alone as usual.

Zhang Yang frowned slightly, "They’re intentionally taking this spot to challenge us; I can’t back down! You and Jun cover the south bank on either side, and use the previous method to fish! I’ll sit next to them on the north bank and see their true colors!"

"Uh, okay, we’ll listen to you!" Old Zhao nodded in agreement!

Some might feel Zhang Yang was making a big deal out of claiming a good fishing spot. Was it really necessary to elevate it to this level?

It actually was quite necessary!

As the saying goes, Zhang Yang wasn’t concerned about the fish in the pond, but rather the anglers who were customers for his fee-pond business.

To put it more bluntly, this affected Zhang Yang’s image as a fishing tackle shop owner.

If the other side took the good spot and made a big catch while he caught nothing, the reputation of the fishing expert status and miracle bait would be shattered, wouldn’t it?

If customers lost confidence in Zhang Yang’s brand, it would cost future potential bait sales in his shop!

Conversely, if Zhang Yang had his prime spot taken over, yet relocated to the side and still managed to beat them using the same bait, then his reputation would be firmly established!

Facing this silent challenge, responding well could earn Zhang Yang these high-value customers in a straightforward and honorable way!

Old Zhao and Wang Jun could see this clearly, so they readily agreed with Zhang Yang’s suggestion.

After organizing the spots, Zhang Yang took out bait for the three of them to prepare on the spot.

The usual amount was three pounds of explosive bait, but today Zhang Yang made a bit more. Using the same bait in adjacent spots, a larger quantity of "ammunition" would provide more operational advantage.

Zhang Yang added a backup pack of bait from his tackle box into the mix, specifically for this round of fishing. Given the situation with only 800 pounds of fish released, four pounds of explosive bait would definitely be sufficient.

A bit after two o’clock, Qian Wenbo and his group drove back from lunch!

At that moment, Zhang Yang was enjoying a relaxed tea chat with Old Zhao and the others under the shade of the trees, while the other group drove straight to the road behind them.

"Hey, Xiao Zhang, Old Zhao! You guys came early to claim spots too?" Qian Wenbo greeted cheerfully as he got out of the car, appearing quite congenial.

"Yeah, hoping to catch more fish in the center, but we were late and you guys beat us to it!"

Zhao Bingguang offered a pack of White General to share, showing no sign of anger or annoyance as they chatted.

"Hehe! You’ve had two big hauls; it’s about time for us brothers to have some fun! They say the north bank center is great for fishing, and today I’ll give it a try! Xiao Zhang, I’m sitting in your previous spot, hope you don’t mind?"

Qian Wenbo took a cigarette, lit it, then leisurely said after taking a puff.

"It’s just a spot! Doesn’t matter; I’m fine sitting next to it!" Zhang Yang waved his hand and pointed to the new spot he had opened next to Qian Wenbo.

Qian Wenbo said, "Oh, tonight we’re neighbors? I should learn a lot from you then!"