Dropper-rig bottom fishing from a Boat / Charter
Okhotsk Atka Mackerel: Remove slack after bottom contact, lift clear and work short movements. Release small fish carefully.
Waters: Hokkaido & Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan
Fish
Okhotsk Atka Mackerel ホッケ
Pleurogrammus azonus ・ Hexagrammidae (Greenlings)
Catch season
- Catchable
- Peak
Months for Okhotsk Atka Mackerel are a broad Japan-wide guide and shift with region, temperature and conditions; prefer local reports and rules.
About
Spindle-shaped and slightly elongated, dark brown with faint dark crossbars and a deeply forked tail. Unusually, five lateral lines run along each side. Juveniles are blue-green and called aobokke; at 18-22 cm they become rousokubokke, or "candle hokke." The flesh spoils quickly, so most reaches market as a split, dried fillet.
Basics
- Scientific name
- Pleurogrammus azonus
- Family
- Hexagrammidae (Greenlings)
- Japanese name
- ホッケ
- Kana
- ほっけ
- Waters
- Hokkaido & Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan
- Size
- 30 cm (max 55 cm)
- Time of day
- Dawn, Daytime
- Depth (tana)
- Near bottom, using short lifts matched to the seabed.
How to catch it
In Hokkaido the fish come inshore in spring and autumn and can be taken from breakwaters. Chum them in and fish a hokke sabiki or a float rig underfoot; for water further out, cast a dropper rig.
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.
Eating
If retained for food, chill immediately and follow established local handling with thorough cooking.
Best eating: January, February, October–December
Rules
Before fishing, check prefectural fishery rules, regional size and season limits, protected areas, and harbour or charter retention rules.
Closed seasons and size limits — how to find the numbers, which differ by prefecture
Other fish taken the same way
Other fish from the same kind of place
Seasons and rules vary by place and time. Check current local information before fishing.