Months for Blue Mackerel are a broad Japan-wide guide and shift with region, temperature and conditions; prefer local reports and rules.
About
Named in Japanese for the fine sesame-like spots scattered along its belly. Rounder in cross-section than the chub mackerel, and it keeps its flavor well even in summer.
Basics
Scientific name
Scomber australasicus
Family
Scombridae (Mackerels, Tunas, and Bonitos)
Japanese name
ゴマサバ
Kana
ごまさば
Waters
Southern Pacific coast, East China Sea & western Kyushu, Okinawa & Nansei Islands
Size
44 cm (max 80 cm)
Time of day
Dawn, Dusk
Depth (tana)
Surface to mid-water, setting float depth to the travelling school.
Ad slot
How to catch it
A staple sabiki target from breakwaters with good current: a simple chum-cage rig underfoot, or a float sabiki or jig sabiki when the fish hold farther out. Spring through autumn is the season.
Blue Mackerel: Use current lines and birds to anticipate the school. The rig is heavy, so check behind before every cast.
Waters: Southern Pacific coast, East China Sea & western Kyushu, Okinawa & Nansei Islands
Kit for this fish
Bait-cage casting kit ・ Kit total ¥26,000–68,000
4.5 m distance-casting float rodDistance-casting float rod rated for a bait cage and float.¥9,000–30,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Spinning reel, size 4000-5000For shore jigging. A smooth drag under a running fish matters more than anything here, so this is not the place to economise.¥10,000–35,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Nylon line, 5-gou (about 20 lb)Main line for live-bait fishing, giving margin once something large is on.¥800–2,500AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Distance bait-cage and float rigCage, float and boom assembly; keep the weight within the rod rating.¥1,200–4,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Okiami krill (raw or boiled)The hook bait for float and fukase fishing. Boiled stands up to bait thieves; raw gets more bites.¥400–1,200AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Groundbait mix for chummingPowder mixed with krill so the chum throws well. Changing its density and stickiness delivers the chum to the depth you want.¥500–1,500AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Rope bucket for drawing seawaterUsed to rinse hands and chum and to keep fish alive. It is also how you leave the pier clean.¥800–2,500AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Cap and polarised sunglassesAlso safety equipment, protecting your eyes from a flying rig. Polarised lenses additionally let you read the bottom.¥2,000–20,000AdFind 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 heavy rig demands head and eye protection plus generous casting clearance.
Product links may be affiliate links. Prices move, so treat the ranges as a guide.
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.
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.
