Months for Daggertooth Pike-conger are a broad Japan-wide guide and shift with region, temperature and conditions; prefer local reports and rules.
About
Its mouth splits back past the eye, the snout is long and pointed, and rows of fang-like teeth line the jaws. Brown above and white below, it has none of the conger's white spots. Most are about a metre long, though some exceed two. Fine bones run all through the flesh, so a knife technique called honekiri is essential — the signature of summer cooking in Kyoto.
Basics
Scientific name
Muraenesox cinereus
Family
ハモ科
Japanese name
ハモ
Kana
はも
Waters
Seto Inland Sea, Southern Pacific coast, East China Sea & western Kyushu
Size
55 cm (max 100 cm)
Time of day
Dawn, Daytime
Depth (tana)
Near bottom, using short lifts matched to the seabed.
Daggertooth Pike-conger: Remove slack after bottom contact, lift clear and work short movements. Release small fish carefully.
Waters: Seto Inland Sea, Southern Pacific coast, East China Sea & western Kyushu
Kit for this fish
Dropper-rig starter kit ・ Kit total ¥14,000–36,000
1.8 m dropper-rig rodShort rod for pier or boat dropper rigs; match sinker rating to local or boat instructions.¥3,500–14,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Spinning reel, size 2500The most versatile size for pier fishing: one reel covers sabiki, float fishing and eging.¥4,000–15,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
PE braid, 1.0-gouFor wind fishing for cutlassfish and small jacks. The quarry has teeth, so always finish with wire or a heavy leader.¥1,500–5,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Two- or three-hook dropper rigReady-made bottom rig; choose hook size for the target and bait.¥300–1,200AdFind 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
Cool box, 15-20 LFor carrying fish home cold. Take plenty of ice; in summer a poorly insulated box is not fit for the job.¥4,000–25,000AdFind 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
Where the boat operator specifies sinker and rig sizes, follow those instructions.
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.
