"For big catches, relying solely on Yellow Storm doesn't give us much of an edge! Find a way, locate a place to buy some of our homemade old cellar corn."

Wang Yan scratched his head, "Is it necessary? Didn't the recently released big fish also grow from farmed third or fourth year fish? Don't they recognize puffed feed?"

Zhang Yang waved his hand without explaining, "Let's not get caught up in this now. Time is limited, get the old cellar corn first, and we'll discuss the rest after we're done with this!"

"Shouldn't Brother Ma have it for sale here? He has exclusive distribution rights for bait and additives!" Zhou Chu said with clear understanding.

"I'll go ask around! You guys check the prefabricated huts around here selling fish bait, see if you can buy any! Let's split up, and update in our small group chat, all with notifications on!"

"Alright!"

There's a saying, 'Together, we're a blazing fire, dispersed, we are stars across the sky,' and Zhang Yang's team was exactly in this state. After Zhang Yang issued orders, everyone began searching separately.

In Jinghai Garden, there are fishing tackle shops, more than one in fact, but most are focused on selling black pit fish bait, consumable rods and such. Finding old cellar corn, which is clearly naturally fermented, and used for wild fishing in lakes, is truly difficult.

The other team members went around several opened small prefab huts of fishing tackle shops but found nothing. Zhang Yang went to the prefab office where Brother Ma and Da Meili work.

Inside, there were a few anglers with some clout, chatting with Brother Ma about who knows what. Zhang Yang scanned the room upon entering, saw unfamiliar faces, and went straight to Brother Ma.

"Brother Ma, I've got a favor to ask! Can you step outside for a moment?"

Brother Ma, being perceptive, nodded and followed Zhang Yang to the doorway.

"What's up? Did you forget something?"

In Jinghai Garden, forgetting to bring a fish protector, rod, or bobber line groups is common; Brother Ma helps gladly with such solvable issues. Service-wise, Brother Ma's support is quite adequate.

Zhang Yang shook his head, then nodded, "Well, yeah, I forgot to bring bait! I recall sending old cellar corn bait mix here before; does the fishing ground still have inventory?"

"Old cellar corn?" Brother Ma was momentarily puzzled upon hearing the bait name, somewhat recalling it but needing a moment to think.

"Yes, old cellar corn! The one-kilo bag of fermented corn kernels used for making nests in reservoirs! Previously when I sent bait additives, I had the warehouse send extra boxes of that!" Zhang Yang explained.

With this explanation, Brother Ma clapped his head, "I remember! There should be some left, Ma Fei entertained friends and used half a box for nests, I kept the other half! It's in the warehouse!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang was immediately energized, "Help me find it, please. We're temporarily announcing single big fish weight competition, and we're unprepared, have to consider using it!"

"Using old cellar corn for big fish? I stocked farmed fish, your sister-in-law sells raw pond pellet feed openly!" Brother Ma asked, puzzled.

Zhang Yang shook his head, "Feed has been prepared, missing the old cellar corn, please take me to get it! Let's talk about other things after the competition! By the way, do we have a steel grinder at home? Bring it along too!"

"Yes, follow me!"

Soon, Brother Ma led Zhang Yang to an empty prefab hut used as a warehouse.

Ordinarily, this prefab hut serves as a showroom and sales point for samples of various brand baits, additives, rods, and tackle. As Jinghai Garden natural attracts visitors, manufacturers greatly value this aspect, allowing Brother Ma to forge cooperative and mutually beneficial arrangements.

The hut was locked up due to recent efforts to organize a competition.

Brother Ma quickly led Zhang Yang there.

Upon opening the room, he found an already opened cardboard box under the shelf, with over a dozen unopened bags of old cellar corn inside.

Seeing the old cellar corn, Zhang Yang's hanging heart was relieved.

He pulled out his phone and sent a message in the team group chat, "Found the old cellar corn. You guys continue with other preparations; I'm coming back!"

After securing the room and grabbing the steel grinder Brother Ma found, he started grinding the corn kernels.

Yes, you read it right, using a steel grinder to crush the finished old cellar corn.

Zhang Yang used this trick in previous competitions, and for this big fish single tail count contest, it's again his secret weapon.

Brother Ma has firsthand witnessed Zhang Yang's fishing skills; last year, Zhang Yang's team brought several big pickups, yesterday breaking the single person catch weight record in the fishing ground. Such a formidable person surely has plans when doing things.

If it were a pit owner with a limited mindset, they sure wouldn't cooperate with Zhang Yang so willingly upon seeing this, but Brother Ma is different. Running one of the most formidable black pit operations nationwide, he surely has a broader vision.

Forced rule changes by sponsors are inevitable, but within one's capability, Brother Ma will seamlessly provide ample convenience for anglers like Zhang Yang.

"Is using this stuff effective for catching big fish in my pit? Locals here use big hooks with black worm elastic bands or pellets and manage! The pond's big fish density isn't low, most caught using elastic bands and pellets!" Brother Ma calmly remarked, watching Zhang Yang crushing corn.

Zhang Yang nodded, "I've prepared elastic pellets on my side too! Old cellar corn is fermented, counts as a backup plan. Once the competition begins, we'll test one by one, whichever works best we'll use!"

With this explanation, Brother Ma was satisfied, though Zhang Yang hadn't told the truth; this isn't a backup plan, but key to securing results in today's competition.

Zhang Yang crushed all fourteen bags of old cellar corn into powder with the steel grinder. Brother Ma found several large convenience bags, and after completing all tasks, Zhang Yang gave notice and hurried off with the bags.

Returning to the designated preparation area with two large bags of pulverized old cellar corn, Zhang Yang's teammates had completed other preparations.

Everywhere anglers gathered in clusters, mixing bait, adding additives — all preparing for the pre-match.

Zhang Yang placed the two convenience bags on the ground, "Where's our big basin, time to mix bait!"

Soon, assistant Xiao Zhang carried out the emblematic baby bathtub.

Zhang Yang poured one and a half bags of old cellar corn directly into the basin, then adjusted the flavor ratio of Yellow Storm, quickly getting busy.

The larger the veteran fish, the more cowardly it is, and the more sensitive to flavor changes. Zhang Yang made obvious adjustments in the flavor ratio.

Three parts base flavor, plus one part brown sugar, half part fruit acid, half part sweet potato.

This combination resulted in Yellow Storm bait with a much milder overall flavor compared to the original 2211 formula. Primarily highlighting the aroma of soybean meal puffing in the base flavor.

With the bait ratio adjusted, Zhang Yang rolled up his sleeves and vigorously mixed the dry powder.

The crushed old cellar corn mixed with dry Yellow Storm powder changed the bait flavor evidently, adding rich natural fermented scent and faint alcohol aroma.

With bait properly mixed, next came water addition, during which Zhang Yang took a wild approach, directly using a mineral water bottle containing medicinal liquor, pouring generously — half a bottle at least.

Once the basin bait mix was complete, the bait's flavor was largely overshadowed by the strong medicinal liquor aroma — distinctly piercing even from afar. Notably, Zhang Yang made the bait considerably more aqueous.

With a 1:0.6 water ratio, holding together without disbanding, perfect wet dispersion!

Having prepared the wet disperse bait, Zhang Yang scooped some into a smaller basin, added remaining crushed old cellar corn particles, moderate amount of light bran, water ratio of around 1.0, directly crafting a lightweight but sticky soft kneading bait.

With hand food and scatter bombs ready, Zhang Yang distributed bait to teammates and washed his hands in the water basin afterward.

Preparation, complete!!