93: Chapter 93: Release 93: Chapter 93: Release “It’s rolled over, we can scoop the fish now!” Yue Feng exhaled with relief.
When a fish rolls onto its belly, it means that all its energy is completely drained, unable even to maintain its swimming posture.
At that point, the fish is essentially at the mercy of anyone, and even without a net, it would hardly possess any ability to resist.
If the fish is particularly large, this state can be extremely dangerous, possibly leading to fatal oxygen deprivation.
For common freshwater species like the Grass Carp, once they flip belly-up, survival becomes highly unlikely, often stiffening and dying within a short time.
Yue Feng pulled the fish close to the shallow waters at the shore, where Liu Fengnian rushed over with a large net, scooped up the fish, and tight!
Dragging the fish onto the shore, Yue Feng, overwhelmed by excitement, removed the fishhook and closely examined the big fish that had struggled for no less than an hour and a half on the live stream.
This was a Big Qing fish at least 1.2 meters long; its dark body shimmered with a ghostly light.
Its scales were as big as chicken eggs, pristine without any scratches or wounds, looking incredibly beautiful as it futilely gasped for breath.
“We’re really lucky, this fish weighs at least twenty-seven or twenty-eight kilograms—a Big Qing this big hasn’t been caught many years!” Ma Boqiang said.
“Twenty-seven or twenty-eight?
It’s got to be more, this fish, although well-proportioned, is incredibly robust, in fact quite plump!
I say it must be at least thirty-five kilograms at a minimum!” Wei Liang glanced and said.
Yue Feng took out the digital scale from his Fishing Box and said, “I have a scale right here, let’s weigh it and we’ll know!”
Upon hearing about weighing, Liu Fengnian frowned and casually asked, “What do you plan to do with this fish?
Hooking it by the mouth can easily cause injuries, making it hard for the fish to survive!”
Having caught such a big fish for the first time, Yue Feng’s mind was still in a blur.
Before Liu Fengnian asked this question, he really hadn’t thought about it.
“This thing is just big, but also has a ‘Big Qing stone’ in the throat that’s somewhat useful.
As far as eating goes, it actually isn’t that tasty!
Growing this big isn’t easy either!
It takes many years!” Liu Fengnian continued.
Yue Feng was taken aback and gained a deeper understanding of Liu.
From the intent in Liu’s words, he seemed to be leaning more towards encouraging Yue Feng to release the fish.
It was just that since Yue Feng had caught it, Liu hesitated to say it outright.
“Liu brother’s right, this thing isn’t tasty.
Last year, my friend caught one about fourteen or fifteen kilograms, and it didn’t taste good.
The meat was woody and greasy.
If it’s not up to par, let’s just weigh it, take some photos, and let it go!” Wei Liang also chimed in.
Then let’s weigh it, take a photo, and release it on live stream!” Yue Feng was not lacking this bit of meat, so he readily agreed.
As soon as they discussed releasing the fish, the viewers in the live stream room immediately exploded.
“With such a big fish caught after so much effort, are you really going to release it?”
Just give it to me; I’ll send someone to pick it up by car!”
“Exactly, even if you don’t eat it, you could sell it.
It’s such a big fish, weighs a lot, and could make some good money!”
“Support releasing, fishing is about the act, not the catch!”
“The person above must have a hole in their head, turning away from money like that!”
“Supporting release +1”
“Dare to release, and I’ll unfollow!
I feel my intelligence has been insulted!”
Having made up his mind, Yue Feng glanced at the live stream chat and said, “We’ve decided to weigh and photograph it before releasing it.
In this regard, I share Liu big brother’s opinion!
My main purpose in fishing is for the live stream effect, not to make a living off this fish!
If anyone feels they can’t accept this, feel free to unfollow, and we’ll meet some other time in the rivers and lakes!”
After he finished speaking, the entire live broadcast room went silent for ten seconds without anyone speaking.
Is this still the harmless, easygoing fisherman broadcaster who got nervous with every follower?
It seemed different from what everyone remembered.
Liu Fengnian, seeing that Yue Feng had made up his mind, said, “Such a big fish can’t be weighed roughly; otherwise, it might get injured and not survive.
Give me the electronic scale, I’ll handle it!”
Yue Feng nodded and handed the electronic scale to Liu Fengnian.
Liu Fengnian found two towels, slightly dampened them, and wrapped them around the fish’s body, then stuffed the fish with the towels into the fishing net’s head.
Once he had stuffed it, he hung the net’s head onto the hook of the electronic scale and lifted the fish.
With the addition of two towels and the net’s head, the electronic scale displayed 17.4 kilograms, which was a gross weight of 34.8 pounds.
After weighing the fish, Liu Fengnian carefully cradled it in his hands.
“Come on, guys, let’s take a picture.
This fish is quite weak, so we need to return it quickly!”
Getting a photo with a thirty-plus pound fish was not an opportunity that came often; all five of them crowded in, each taking at least one photo holding the fish through the towel.
After everyone had fun taking photos, Liu Fengnian handed the fish to Yue Feng.
“You caught this fish, you should be the one to release it!”
Yue Feng agreed, slowly bent down walking to the water’s edge, and loosened his hold on the towel.
“It’s been weak for a while, don’t be hasty in letting go, let it recover a bit from the lack of oxygen before you release it!” Liu Fengnian, worried that Yue Feng might not understand, reminded him carefully from behind.
Yue Feng, following Liu’s advice, patiently waited for a few minutes; before long, the Big Qing regained some strength, flicked its tail, and Yue Feng let go, watching as the big fish disappeared into the water.
Congratulations on unlocking a new fish species “Big Qing”!
Lottery Points +1000.
Congratulations on setting a new big fish record!
Lottery Points +2000.
You successfully released a freshwater big fish weighing over 30 pounds, additionally unlocking a new Character Trait “Fisherman’s Compassion”
“Fisherman’s Compassion”: All creatures have spirits.
Fishing has evolved from an ancient hunting practice into a refined aquatic sport.
Despite having control, still harboring compassion constitutes the professional integrity of a qualified fisherman.
Passive Effect: Fish status perception +100.
Every fish you release will not die from improper handling or substantial equipment damage.
For every release of a fish weighing over 20 pounds, you will receive at least a B-grade lottery opportunity.
A series of system notifications sounded, and Yue Feng suddenly felt overwhelmed, seeing these system rewards as an unexpected delight!
Truth be told, when Yue Feng had been doing certain things previously, he often had specific intentions, trying to guess the system’s preferences to benefit himself.
But this time, when he released the fish, Yue Feng did not think too much about it.
Brother Liu Fengnian suggested it, and the other friends who came along agreed, so Yue Feng naturally agreed without feeling it was a matter requiring deep thought.
By this time, many might ask, isn’t selling it more lucrative?
Going through so much trouble to catch the fish, only to release it so easily, isn’t that like unnecessarily making things difficult for oneself?