Chapter 26: Pinching Fish Contest

At that moment, Zhang Qiang next to him caught another fish, and the sound of him swiftly lifting his rod to hook the fish rang out again.

It was another Big Plate Crucian Carp, bending the rod down to the third section.

The viewers were left staring, while another anchor nearby was linking streams, and Lin Yang hadn't caught anything, prompting people to start making waves in his live stream.

"When watching the videos, the anchor catching fishes looks great, but it's too disappointing live. No bites, I'm out."

"The guy next to the host seems to be Zhang Qiang. He's live streaming too. Although he's a bit ugly, he's got bites. I'm leaving, going to watch his livestream."

"I'm also going to see what's up!"

Just now, there were more than three hundred people in the livestream, and as soon as someone shouted this on the public chat, a third of the viewers left, leaving only a little over two hundred people.

Lin Yang composed himself for a moment and said, "Everyone, don't panic. This is just a small issue, watch me find a way to solve it."

Zhang Qiang nearby couldn't help it upon hearing this, he slightly turned his face to look at Lin Yang and said, "Tsk tsk, brother, your fishing luck isn't looking too good today."

"Hmm, just a bit off, I'll try fishing a bit longer."

"Haha, it looks like your so-called magical bait isn't working today either!"

Lin Yang hadn't felt anything was wrong upon hearing the previous remark, but now that he was live streaming, Zhang Qiang's doubts about his bait were intolerable.

Both being in the same profession, it was quite clear his intention to belittle and put Lin Yang down—it looked quite unsightly.

"Fishing is a systematic project; there are many factors that can affect the catch, and the effectiveness of the bait has been praised by users. I don't need to boast or deceive anyone. Besides, it's just a temporary lack of fish, aren't you speaking too soon?"

Zhang Qiang pursed his lips and smiled, "True, it's just temporary! There's a popular saying, 'brag all you want, the air force talks reason.' I thought I was the only one like this, but now I see, all hosts are the same, hahahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yang suddenly became furious!

What the heck was that supposed to mean? It sounded like a joke, but in this specific situation, wasn't that an outright mockery?

And absolutely merciless at that.

Although they were colleagues, Lin Yang had never had any other thoughts about him, and since the other was slightly older, Lin Yang had always interacted with him politely.

But now, after catching a few fish, this guy had become overly proud and not only was he speaking harshly, but he had also started to attack Lin Yang in a veiled manner.

Who could tolerate that?

Lin Yang squinted and said, "There's an old saying, 'The first fat doesn't count, only the later fat breaks the bed.' We've only been fishing for about ten minutes, anything is possible, let's just watch and see."

"Right! Anything is possible, brother, take your time fishing, no rush." While speaking, Zhang Qiang lifted his rod again, making a whistling sound, and another Big Plate Crucian Carp was pulled up.

"Wow, this one's big, nearly half a pound! Look at this wild Big Crucian Carp in the livestream, folks, how's that!"

Zhang Qiang, intending to annoy Lin Yang, began showing off the newly caught fish to the viewers in front of the camera.

This set off Lin Yang's livestream viewers completely.

"That guy next door seems too pleased with himself, his comments reek of asking for a beating."

"Host, think of something, shut him up, see if he keeps showing off then, now he's found presence by mocking others after catching a few fish."

"Zhang Qiang is being too bullyish, just because he caught a few fish? There's no need for such sarcasm, truly uncultured."

"Cultured my foot, I always found him dodgy watching his livestreams before, always calculating, too petty-minded."

Lin Yang: "Everyone, just watch patiently. We are so close, within ten minutes at the latest, we'll catch a fish, watch me."

"Good that the flip-floppers left, now only our brothers are left."

"Who's your brother? According to my husband, you should be calling me sister-in-law."

"Nothing tastes better than dumplings, nothing's more fun than...."

The rhythm in the livestream finally stabilized.

At that point, Zhang Qiang spoke again, "What, Xiao Yang, you still think you have a chance? I think that's unlikely. Dare to make a bet?"

"Bet? What kind of bet?"

"We bet on the catch for the next two hours, starting now, whoever loses, will send a rocket in the other's livestream!"

"Alright, I'll take that," Lin Yang confidently agreed.

"Let the brothers in the livestream bear witness!"

"Why would the host agree to him? This jerk is disgusting, now his spot is all primed and he's linking streams, while the host hasn't even got a bite, isn't this a clear setup for a loss?"

Lin Yang just smiled and said, "For those who are still in the livestream, you all heard it. Since I've agreed to the bet, I naturally have my ways."

"In the coming time, I might check the comments less often, just watch my performance, today I'll win that rocket no matter what."

'Air Force Commander' sent a plane and said, "Go for it, host, I'm backing you!"

Lin Yang: "Thank you, Commander Big Brother, I'm serious this time. Everyone, keep watching patiently, I'll answer any questions after I'm done."

This time, Lin Yang was legitimately in battle mode. When he couldn't get any fish during the trial fishing earlier, he had already been silently analyzing the fish situation in his mind.

The bait was the same as before, so it definitely wasn't the reason; the problem most likely lay in the fact that the opponent's rod was longer, coupled with an earlier start in fishing.

This time he was using a three-meter-six rod, whereas Zhang Qiang was using a four-meter-five one, which definitely gave him an advantage at the start.

Additionally, the opponent's fishing spot was farther away; starting to cast earlier meant that the remnants of the bait gradually lured the fish into his own spot. As the school of fish gathered, the subsequent ones would be bolder in entering the baited area.

Under these circumstances, Lin Yang's spot was affected.

In such a situation, the most effective strategy to turn the tables was to increase the frequency of casting!

By casting at a high frequency, he could lure back the fish taken by others; once the fish entered the spot, they would naturally start biting and get hooked.

Lin Yang stood upright, his back straight, pressing and pushing the bait onto the hook with his left hand. After loading the bait, he flicked his right wrist lightly, and the line swung out, landing directly in the baited area in front of him.

The entire process was noticeably faster than usual by half a beat, as he was going all out.

When the float settled into position, Lin Yang didn't continue to wait. Holding the rod handle in his right hand, he gently teased the float. If no fish took the bait, he would lift the rod and repeat the previous actions.

Increasing the frequency of casting is an aggressive tactic used in platform fishing for small fish.

It is generally used in fishing competitions and paid commercial ponds (dark pits), and is rarely used by those fishing in the wild.

In wild fishing environments, most people prefer to use longer rods.

The rods being too heavy also make it difficult to cast, and reluctantly increasing the frequency of baiting results in scattered baiting points and generally poor outcomes.

But now Lin Yang couldn't care too much. There were fish in the nearby spot; that was enough. As long as he picked up the frequency, he should be able to snatch the fish over quickly.

"What fishing method is this, host? You lift the rod as soon as the float is in position, barely giving the fish a chance to take the bait. Can you really catch fish this way?"

"I don't quite understand, but since he dares to take the opponent's bet, the host must be somewhat confident. Just watch patiently."

"The speed of casting is much faster than usual. That arrogant guy next door takes one cast, and our host probably can cast twice."

"Just watch patiently, it's only two hours. Watching the host cast smoothly is quite a pleasure. Fishermen shouldn't be impatient."

It didn't take two hours, not even half an hour.

Lin Yang just kept his head down and continuously flicked his rod for about ten minutes, and the fish density in the spot increased again, while Zhang Qiang, who had been catching continuously just a short while ago, now had a much slower bite.

"Big brother, do you feel the bite slowing down?" Lin Yang asked with narrowed eyes, teasing.

"Heh, it's slow but I'm still catching fish. In ten minutes, I caught 13 Crucian Carps, and everyone is counting for me. As for you, you haven't caught a single fish yet. I really don't know where your confidence comes from!"

"It'll be fast, just a few more minutes, and the fish will come." Lin Yang threw down these words and continued casting.

Sure enough, on the third cast after he spoke, the float flipped into position properly, and after the double-hooked bait reached the bottom, it gave a clear and clean bite.

The classic biting action of this float appeared again. After a clear bite without any bounce back, followed by two consecutive quick bites, Lin Yang struck the fish, hitting it accurately!

He finally had his first catch!

The fish was not big, around two liang in weight for the Crucian Carp. Lin Yang held it and took a look at the position of the hook in the fish's mouth, then casually threw it into the fish keeper.

"The first one, brothers, it's our turn to perform," he said.

After dropping these words, Lin Yang swiftly changed the bait and cast the rod into the water for another attempt.

The hooking of this fish almost blew the trumpet for continuous catches on his side; he gradually started catching more fish, and soon, his catches switched from occasionally to frequently.

Only about half an hour into the competition, Lin Yang started catching continuously, while the spot next door had completely stopped biting.

"Tsk tsk, seems like the old saying goes, the first fat ones are all milky! Boss Zhang, just wondering if you're panicking now, my rocket's taking off." Zhang Qiang was completely dumbfounded, his mind a blank.

Just now, he was in a great situation; how had the wind suddenly changed?

"Why aren't you speaking? Your mind buzzing, isn't it? It's not that bad, it's just a launch of a rocket, just six hundred, as such a big host, we can afford it, consider it supporting a brother!"

As Lin Yang continued casting, he also started a verbal offensive, hoping to impact the opponent's emotions, for that would secure this bet for him.

"Hmph, it's just your luck, and there's still a long way to go before two hours are up. It's too early to celebrate whose deer it will be!"

Dropping the harsh words, Zhang Qiang gritted his teeth and took out his short-section fiberglass fishing rod used for replenishing the spot.

In Zhang Qiang's view, the lack of bites meant the spot was likely eaten clean, so he decided to replenish it. He had used only two liang of bait, and still had a lot left.

Thus, in an ungentlemanly manner, Zhang Qiang started replenishing the spot for the second time.

"Tsk tsk, the competition has started, and you're still replenishing midway through?" Lin Yang raised his head and noted.

"We didn't say it wasn't allowed before the competition began. What are you going to do about it?"

"Heh, keep going, I don't mind, just add more, otherwise there won't be enough fish to go around!"

Seeing Zhang Qiang starting to replenish his spot, Lin Yang knew in his heart that he had won this round.

Much like yesterday, indeed, a spot is a great thing for fish, but it isn't the more the merrier.