A high-profile fishing tournament kicked off on June 15 on Kaisha Island, located in Wujie town of Tongzhou district, Nantong, drawing over 400 skilled anglers from across China.

Anglers keep their eyes on the water. [Photo/WeChat account: wxtzfb]

The competition comprised three 70-minute rounds under a points-ranking system, with final standings determined by cumulative scores across all rounds. Valid catches included all fish species over 10 centimeters in length, excluding silver carp and bighead carp.

"This is my second time competing. The tournament is thrilling and unpredictable. Thanks to the favorable fishing conditions and perfect weather today, I think I have a chance to finish at the top," said Ding Gengliang, a Nantong native. 

Fan Gaoxiang, a fishing enthusiast hailing from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, added, "The venue is stunning, and the environment is tranquil. It's a perfect blend of sport and leisure."

By integrating the tournament with scenic beauty, dining, and accommodation, Tongzhou has seen an economic boost. Through this complete service chain, the district aims to attract tourists and fishing enthusiasts from around the Yangtze River Delta region and beyond to Kaisha Island. It also plans to introduce additional sports events to deepen local culture-tourism integration.