The lunch lasted less than an hour before Lao Zhao hurriedly ended it with repeated urging and pulling.
The Triangle Cannon, as described by Wang Jun, sounded magical, and Lao Zhao insisted on returning to the shop to study it carefully after hearing about it!
Upon returning to the shop, Zhang Yang took out his bait mixing basin from the storage room, and demonstrated the bait mixing method using pellet powder and cheap bottom nest material, as well as the baiting technique for the Triangle Cannon.
Lao Zhao was exceptionally attentive in his learning. After listening to the explanation, he pinched the leader line with his right hand and grabbed the scatter cannon with his left, practicing repeatedly without getting bored.
While Lao Zhao and Wang Jun practiced, Zhang Yang didn't sit idle; he had to be fully prepared for fishing tomorrow night!
For Zhang Yang, fishing is not just a leisure activity; using the fishing skills to attract more customers to the black pit, he aims to raise awareness and draw interest towards his shop to boost sales!
Without hesitation, Zhang Yang took out a brand new leader line box from the glass counter, then picked out different sizes of fishhooks and leader lines,
Fishhooks No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 in the New Kanto style, with leader lines corresponding to 1.0/1.2/1.5 sizes, and an 80 cm length, with a hook distance of 5 cm.
Upon seeing Zhang Yang preparing hooks for fishing, Lao Zhao and Wang Jun curiously glanced over, and couldn't help but mock after seeing the fishhooks and fishing lines.
"You're using New Kanto? These things don't have barbs, right? I can accept using nylon leader lines, but isn't your line diameter too small? A 1.0 leader line for carp fishing? Aren't you afraid the rod will snap immediately when lifted?"
"And this leader line length is too long. We used to use 2.5 leader lines with No. 8 or 9 Isei hooks, and the leader line length was around 50 centimeters!"
Faced with his companions' skepticism, Zhang Yang shook his head: "I don't like using barbed hooks! If you want to improve your black pit skills, I also recommend not using barbed hooks!"
It's true that fish caught with the Isei hook are less likely to escape because its hold is firm. However, the Isei hook is naturally thicker, and the wound created when the hook pierces the fish's mouth is larger.
A larger wound causes the fish to struggle harder due to the pain.
Using the New Kanto hook, which has moderate gauge and sufficient strength, means you can clearly feel the struggle of the fish is much less after it's caught!
When the fish struggles less, you can use smaller diameter lines, making the bite signals clearer!
As for the issue of leader line length, the longer the leader, the slower it swings into position underwater, increasing the chance of a take! Among leader lines of the same thickness, longer ones are also generally stronger!
Don't underestimate the 1.0 nylon line! If the quality is good and there are no tying flaws, its tensile strength is above two kilograms, which is sufficient for our not-so-hard rods!"
After hearing Zhang Yang's explanation, Lao Zhao contemplated for a moment with a very conflicted expression, eventually shaking his head and saying, "My reason tells me what you're saying is true! But I still don't dare use it! We don't have your skills, so I'll stick with what I used before!"
Zhang Yang laughed: "There's no rush, just take it slow!"
No need to say more at this point!
Back when Zhang Yang first started playing competitive fishing, he didn't dare use fine leader lines or barbless hooks either. Accepting these new methods takes a gradual process!
The next effort Zhang Yang made was tying 1.5 leader lines paired with No. 4 New Kanto, 1.2 leader lines paired with No. 3 New Kanto, and 1.0 leader lines paired with No. 2 New Kanto, twenty sets each.
He also tied different specifications of main line groups - 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5.
While making the main line group, Wang Jun's attention was again drawn to Zhang Yang's 3.6-meter main line group.
"The fishing limit is 5.4 meters, are you planning to use 3.6?"
Zhang Yang looked up again: "New fish won't swim to the center of the pond right away and usually circle the pond for a day or two. If they bite, a shorter rod won't necessarily be a disadvantage! I never fish without full preparation, so I carry both long and short lines to ensure readiness for any situation!"
"I get it!" Lao Zhao nodded without any follow-up, as Zhang Yang's opinions were too advanced and he couldn't accept them yet!
Zhang Yang prepared the consumables needed for fishing in the black pit, and the next step was to properly equip a set of fishing gear specifically for black pit fishing.
The entry-level gear used in wild fishing by the Wen River wouldn't suit paid ponds, so new equipment was needed.
After managing operations since opening the shop, Zhang Yang reinvested the daily profits into restocking, and now the inventory was much more abundant than at the time of opening.
Since it would have to be done sooner or later, it's better to enjoy the benefits early. Zhang Yang decided to settle it all at once.
A 26L small square fishing box, carbon rod holders, carbon landing net, float tube, infinite bobber, a large fish protector with a 40 cm diameter, a carry bag for fish protection, bait mixing basin, and all the other new gear.
Upon completing the basic setup, it was time to select the rod, and Zhang Yang hesitated.
Although the pole named "Giant Slayer" had a commendable backbone, its action felt a bit too soft for Zhang Yang's liking.
After a few seconds of consideration, Zhang Yang opted not to pick a rod from the shop's existing inventory and instead made a call to the wife of the boss at Xinda Fishing Gear Wholesales to place an order.
Lately, Zhang Yang had been frequently stocking up from Xinda, earning a trustworthy reputation for his honest transactions since the initial credit line. This had left a favorable impression of Zhang Yang on the boss's wife.
"Xiao Zhang, you want to restock again?"
"You could say that! Sister-in-law, I want to inquire if there are any rods in stock with a harder action! I need at least a 28 action or even tougher, the harder the better. Can you send a few pieces for my pond fishing?"
"You sure? The harder, the better?"
"Yes! As hard as possible for the 3.6-meter one, and I'm open to any recommendations for feel for the 5.4 meter length!"
"Hey, lucky you! We actually have something suitable. Just yesterday, your brother snagged a batch of raw fishing rods at a low price from a manufacturer. Some of these are designed specifically for the southern market and are ultra-hard for Tilapia, they call them Combat Rods, and they're straight and stiff like a poker! The longest hits five meters four; do you want one? I'll send you a set!"
Upon hearing the words "Combat Rod," Zhang Yang's eyes lit up with excitement! Just like that, his wish was coming true!
"Yes! One each of 3.6 meters, 4.5 meters, and 5.4 meters! Also, add a 6.3-meter Dajia Black Mark Carp, pack it now, and ship it tomorrow so I can use it by nightfall!"
"Oh, and include five sets of the imported Marukyu Fish Bait Four Heavenly Kings; we're running low in the shop!"
"Got it!"
...
With the rod issue settled, the equipment was just about complete, waiting only for the bait and rods to arrive tomorrow morning, marking Zhang Yang's debut at Diao Changhe's Oil House Fishing Ground!
Early the next morning, the logistics courier's first shift delivered Zhang Yang's ordered fishing rods and imported Marukyu Carp Bait together.
Zhang Yang painfully paid the cash on delivery to the logistics company, then carefully opened the tightly wrapped packaging of the rods!
The four fishing rods were cushioned in bubble wrap inside a rod box; as soon as Zhang Yang opened it, he couldn't resist examining them closely.