Anazuri (hole fishing in tetrapods) from a Rocky shore
Make short drops to reef gutters and hole exits, moving on quickly if there is no response after bottom contact.
Waters: Okinawa & Nansei Islands
Fish
Flagtail Grouper ニジハタ
Cephalopholis urodeta ・ Epinephelidae (Groupers)
Catch season
- Catchable
- Peak
Active on shallow Okinawan reefs during the warm-water season.
About
A small reddish-brown grouper with white bands along the top and bottom of its tail fin.
Basics
- Scientific name
- Cephalopholis urodeta
- Family
- Epinephelidae (Groupers)
- Japanese name
- ニジハタ
- Kana
- にじはた
- Waters
- Okinawa & Nansei Islands
- Size
- 25 cm (max 40 cm)
- Time of day
- Dawn, Dusk
- Depth (tana)
- On the bottom, along reef gutters and ledges.
How to catch it
Kit for this fish
Hole fishing kit ・ Kit total ¥12,000–28,000
- Short hole-fishing rod, 1.2 mA short rod for dropping straight into gaps in the tetrapods. It is easy to handle and stiff enough to pull a fish out before it reaches its hole. ¥2,000–6,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Spinning reel, size 1000-2000A small reel for chonage, hole fishing and light work. Light enough for a child to hold. ¥2,500–8,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Nylon line, 3-gou (about 12 lb)For sabiki and hole fishing. Thick enough to resist abrasion on rock and to horse a rockfish straight up. ¥600–2,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Burakuri (weighted single-hook jig), 3-8 gouA one-piece weight-and-hook rig for hole fishing. Drop it into a gap, tap the bottom, and draw the rockfish out. ¥200–600AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Cut fish bait (saury, mackerel, sardine)For hole fishing, cutlassfish and larger rockfish. Salting the flesh firms it so it stays on the hook. ¥300–900AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Fishing pliers / hook removerEssential protection from venomous spines and sharp teeth. Most injuries happen when someone unhooks a fish bare-handed. ¥800–4,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Studded or felt-soled bootsOrdinary shoes slip on rock and tetrapods. Falls are the most common cause of accidents, so these are mandatory for rocky shores. ¥4,000–15,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Life jacket, adult (Japan Craft Inspection approved)The first thing to buy, and worn on piers, rocks and boats alike. Boat fishing requires the government-approved type marked with the cherry-blossom stamp. ¥5,000–20,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
The cheapest tackle but the most dangerous footing. Do not skip the studded boots or the life jacket, and never step on wet tetrapods.
Product links may be affiliate links. Prices move, so treat the ranges as a guide.
Handle with care
This fish is dangerous to handle bare-handed.
Sharp spines
The dorsal spines and gill-cover edges are sharp; secure the jaw with a grip.
Dangerous fish and animals — what to do when you are stung or bitten
Eating
Good simmered, in soup, or fried.
Best eating: May–August
Rules
Check protected areas and local fishing rules.
Closed seasons and size limits — how to find the numbers, which differ by prefecture
This article organises general information and is not legal advice. Rules differ by municipality and by fishery cooperative, and they change. Always check the current rules for where you are going.
Other fish taken the same way
Other fish from the same kind of place
Seasons, sizes and eating quality are general guides. Rules change, so check the latest prefectural, fishery-cooperative and site rules before fishing. This app provides general information, not legal advice.