Analysis of Different Types of Bite Signals in Drifting Rock Fishing

The float sinks slowly by about 10 centimeters.

Speaking of the “Apo fishing” technique in sea fishing, its origin is from a region in Japan. Local anglers there made full use of the “catching more fish” characteristic with this technique. After achieving excellent results in nationwide rock fishing competitions in Japan, it spread to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, mainland China, and Southeast Asia. Fishing knows no borders—no matter what the Japanese develop, my belief is that we should use whatever works best for catching fish.

Nowadays, anglers can be said to primarily use this method. Of course, the local fishing style here differs slightly from other regions. Local anglers often use floats ranging from 2B to 15B, paired with main lines sized 2 to 3, and sub-lines ranging from 1.5 to 2.5. The target water depth is typically between 2 meters and more than 10 meters.

I think the most commonly used float is probably 5B, along with a 1.0 float, combined with heavier sinkers in the water. Lighter floats are used less frequently. Due to seasonal factors, wind strength, tides, and ocean currents, the hydrology and fish conditions in the Zhoushan area can vary greatly. For example, while one person might catch 100 fish on a given day, in the same location two days later, the catch might drop to just about 10. Of course, this is another topic worth exploring, but I won’t get into it right now.

What I want to express here are the different types of bite signals I’ve come to understand from my brief experiences with drifting rock fishing.

First: As we all know, the concept of “arrow sinking” is widely recognized.

When the float dives straight down into the sea like an arrow, this is the most obvious signal of a fish biting the bait. It indicates that the fish school underwater is significant, causing the fish to feed quickly to avoid competition from others. It’s also possible that the fishing spot is slightly outside the fish’s usual safe water depth, prompting the fish to leave its comfort zone and venture up to bite the bait before quickly sinking again.

Second: Slow sinking — followed by rapid arrow sinking.

This type of fish signal is more favored by anglers because it gives them enough time to prepare for the fight with the fish. This signal means that the bait and the attractant are synchronized well. When the fish first bites, it tends to be more relaxed and less cautious. However, the black sea bream, if not stimulated by a significant amount of bait, is a very alert species.

When the angler feels that the bait is being pulled (as if trying to escape), the natural reaction is to tighten the line, let the fish swim for a while, and then the float arrows down again. Due to the remaining buoyancy of the float and the random forces caused by variables such as sinkers and water conditions, the bait often mimics the movement of a small shrimp trying to escape, or there might be slight tugs that prompt the fish to chase and bite the bait.

Third: Slow sinking, then slow rising, followed by slow sinking again.

Fourth: The float moves horizontally.

Fifth: The float sinks slowly by about 10 centimeters.

The float naturally fluctuates by about 10 centimeters under the water’s surface due to the current and waves, moving left and right.

Third, fourth, and fifth types of signals mostly occur in clear water (greenish), but with visibility limited to less than 1 meter. The waves and current are not too strong, and these signals are especially common in early spring and winter. This could indicate that the float used is too large (for example, using a 1.0 float for fishing at 5 meters depth, or a 0.8 float at 3 meters). As a result, after the fish bites the bait, it can clearly feel the residual buoyancy of the float, making it reluctant to swallow the bait. Instead, it might carefully hold the bait with its teeth near the edges of its mouth.

Another likely scenario is that both the attractant and bait are located at the bottom layer (for example, when the current is weak, the water is shallow, and the waves are small). The water color is suitable, and the bait is at the fish’s natural swimming depth. These conditions make the fish feel comfortable eating and reluctant to exert extra effort to capture more bait. As a result, the angler might casually lift the rod, only to find that the fish has already swallowed the hook.

Sixth: The float makes a sharp, quick jump once or twice, then sinks slightly (abrupt dip).

There are two possible causes for this: small fish or large fish. For small fish, this is not of concern. When fishing in shallow waters (for example, large sandy flats with depths less than 2 meters), the water flow and attractant influence may attract larger fish that originally would be in deeper waters (8 to 10 meters). If the water visibility is less than half a meter, it’s not a sunny day, and there are no large waves affecting the water level, then large fish can feel secure and calm while feeding in the target area.

Often, the initial reaction of the large fish is subtle because there is not enough water depth for it to bite, turn, and dive in the typical sequence of actions. Instead, it simply takes the bait, but if it senses that the bait is wrong or unsafe, it will quickly spit it out. At this point, the float will show an “abrupt dip.”

Seventh: Some anglers may choose floats with a higher swaying ability.

These floats may appear unstable at first, but when they suddenly stop swaying or sway quickly in one direction, it often indicates that a fish has bitten the hook, such as a pufferfish or a single mid-water sea bream.

Eighth: Using “subsurface attack” or “subsurface attack” floats.

Affected by surface waves and different currents in the upper and lower water layers, the float often sinks slightly and then naturally rises. When the float doesn’t rise or sinks abnormally with a sharp rise, it also signals that a fish is biting (this is a common signal with the arrow sinking technique).

This means the fishing depth is correct. It’s like placing the bait right in front of a stationary fish, causing it to naturally swallow and savor the bait.