29: Redtail Birdfish

Zhang Jun, holding three Yellow Chicken Fish, waved them towards Chang Jianqiang in the distance.

Grinning broadly, he shouted, 'See that? That's skill!'

Yang Qi smiled, not bothering with Zhang Jun and the others' playful banter.

Because he had another bite on his end. Both rods got a bite almost simultaneously.

The same technique, the same approach, yielded another Bigeye Snapper and five Yellow Chicken Fish.

Zhang Jun also caught fish several times, leisurely walked around, and then came over to offer cigarettes to Yang Qi and Wang Jinxi.

Unlike Yang Qi, who fished purely for money, Zhang Jun used to be called 'Air Force Commander' because he often couldn't catch anything.

Today, he caught fish early, and now he had about 10. He was very happy, walking around everywhere, showing off. He began a 'Buddhist-style' fishing approach.

As the saying goes: 'Returning home in fine clothes is like traveling in fine clothes at night!'

When it's time to show off, you still have to show off.

As Yang Qi lit a cigarette and cast his rod again, he noticed a red silhouette appear before his eyes during the retrieve.

Upon closer inspection, it was a Redtail Bird. With a cigarette in his mouth, he pretended to casually chat with Zhang Jun.

His divine sense was constantly focused on that fish, and he silently chanted, 'Bite the hook, hurry and bite the hook!'

Sure enough, his fishing rod dipped, he lifted the rod to set the hook, 'Got one!'

With the same operation, a fish with a very long caudal fin, its body a bright red, surfaced. It weighed about 15 catties.

'A Redtail Bird! This fish is not common around here. It usually lives in waters over 100 meters deep, and its price is very expensive.

Deep-sea Redtail Bird is also known as 'Long-tailed Seabream'. Its flesh is tender and sweet, perfect for sashimi or steaming.

It's a high-end, valuable fish. A fish like this, over 15 catties, can fetch a market price of 200-400 per catty.

Yang Qi is so lucky to catch this kind of fish in the waters here! Usually, these fish live below 200 meters at the bottom of the sea.'

Hearing Wang Jinxi's introduction, even Zhang Jun was moved. This fish alone was worth more than half a boat ticket.

Yang Qi even wondered if he had stepped in a lot of dog poop to have such luck.

'This kind of deep-sea fish is very difficult to keep alive. So, it must be bled immediately to remove lactic acid to ensure the freshness of the fish meat.'

Wang Jinxi said, picking up a knife and making two cuts below the fish's gill cover, and blood immediately spurted out.

'This is like cutting the fish's main artery, allowing the blood to flow out quickly.

If it's a large deep-sea fish like Tuna, you usually cut two more times at the tail, and it's best to remove the gills and internal organs. Soak it in ice water to help the fish meat bleed and remove lactic acid faster. Finally, put it in the freezer.'

After speaking, he tied a green zip tie to the Redtail Bird and took it to the freezer warehouse.

He returned and put Yang Qi's and Zhang Jun's Yellow Chicken Fish into the live fish tank. Since Zhang Jun was busy showing off, three of his fish died and could only be placed in the foam box behind him.

Zhang Jun took the opportunity to give the Ship worker a pack of Chunghwa cigarettes when he returned, and afterward, the Ship worker naturally moved around them more, helping to net fish as soon as they caught one and quickly getting them to storage.

Although these crewmen are paid 200 a day to do these tasks.

However, since this boss was polite and gave an extra pack of cigarettes, it's understandable for me to give him a little more attention.

Gradually, Yang Qi noticed that the fish schools began to disperse, and the speed of catching fish also slowed down.

So, he decided to take a break and went to Zhang Jun, asking:

'How's it going? Brother Jun, how many have you caught?'

Zhang Jun said proudly, 'Twelve or thirteen! Hahahaha, this is only the first fishing spot on the first day! I've been out to sea so many times before, and the best I ever did was fifteen or sixteen fish over 8 catties by the time we returned.'

'Hmm, not bad.' Yang Qi inwardly grumbled, 'No wonder he's known as the Air Force Commander!'

'I feel like I'm finally going to stand out! I'm definitely in the top three this morning. As expected, your fish-finding skills are extraordinary, brother. Relying on you for this sea fishing trip, I should be able to hold my head high for once. You absolutely must help me!'

'Luck, it's all luck!'

As the two were chatting, the boat owner's broadcast came again, 'The fish schools have dispersed. Everyone, quickly eat lunch. The boat will soon head to the next fishing spot.'

Dear readers might ask how the boat owner knew the fish schools had dispersed. That's because the boat is equipped with a fish finder.

High-quality integrated sonar, radar, and infrared technology detectors can display fish school density, individual size, detectable water depth, reef distribution, and are compatible with multiple water environments in real-time.

Yang Qi and Zhang Jun each took a dead Yellow Chicken Fish, weighing about 5 catties, and gave them to Wang Jinxi to have the kitchen prepare them.

Everyone gathered in the lounge to eat.

On the tables in the hall were several large basins: one filled with sliced pork stir-fried with napa cabbage, another with stir-fried prawns, plus braised mixed fish and seaweed egg drop soup.

It was all self-service; you served yourself as much as you wanted.

Over a dozen people, plus four or five crewmen, gathered around two tables and began to feast. Wang Jinxi came over with the chef, carrying four large plates of Yellow Chicken Fish sashimi.

Zhang Jun pointed to two plates for one table and explained that they were contributed by Yang Qi and him.

Then the bragging session began, 'Let me tell you something!...' 'I'm telling you!...' 'Listen to me!...' Even when no one was listening to him anymore, and everyone was focused on eating, he was still there, spitting and gesticulating.

It was as if he was releasing all the bragging he hadn't done for the past few decades at once.

Because he had just inquired, besides him and Yang Qi, the one who caught the most only had 9 fish.

Yang Qi had never eaten sashimi before. He picked up a piece with chopsticks, dipped it in some sauce, and put it in his mouth.

The taste of wasabi was a bit strong, but after chewing the fish, it was indeed fresh, tender, and slightly sweet.

Yang Qi rarely ate raw food and only tasted a little.

Everyone was feasting and praising the two for their generosity. Several who enjoyed drinking even started organizing a drinking session.

Yang Qi was currently focused on making money and politely declined their invitations.

'Ladies and gentlemen, this afternoon we will proceed at full speed to the Nan You Fishing Grounds fishing spot. We should arrive around eight or nine in the evening. Bosses! Please arrange your time to rest as you wish. I wish you all a full catch!'

So, everyone, except for the few who were still drinking, started looking for ways to pass the time.

Yang Qi didn't like playing cards, and he liked singing karaoke even less. He walked around, couldn't find anything to do, and after thinking about it, decided to go back and sleep.

He went over to Zhang Jun and the others, had a drink, explained the situation, and then returned to the resting cabin to sleep.

The over thirty-meter fishing boat, being specifically for taking guests fishing, had very good resting cabins, divided into small rooms.

Four people shared a room with two bunk beds and a small bathroom.

Yang Qi slept in Zhang Jun's upper bunk, and Wang Hu slept in Chang Jianqiang's upper bunk. These four old acquaintances were only later assigned to the same room.

Yang Qi lay on his bed, calculating his morning's harvest.