A small sabiki fish, but its real value to an angler is as a signal: when the anchovies are in, the jacks and cutlassfish that hunt them are close behind.
About
Its lower jaw is so small that the fish looks as if it has only an upper one, which is exactly what its Japanese name describes; the mouth opens back past the eye. The body is slender and almost cylindrical, blue-grey above and silvery below. It feeds on the move, swimming with its mouth open and straining plankton from the water. Reaching about 18 cm, the young are sold as shirasu whitebait while adults become niboshi stock fish and anchovies.
Basics
Scientific name
Engraulis japonicus
Family
カタクチイワシ科
Japanese name
カタクチイワシ
Kana
かたくちいわし
Waters
Sea of Japan, Northern Pacific coast, Southern Pacific coast, Seto Inland Sea, East China Sea & western Kyushu
Size
12 cm (max 18 cm)
Time of day
Dawn, Dusk
Depth (tana)
At the surface, where the schools can be dense enough to look like a dark stain on the water.
Ad slot
How to catch it
A staple of sabiki fishing from breakwaters and quay walls. Chum with tiny amiebi shrimp and use hooks of size 2 or smaller, fishing where the current runs and waiting for a school to arrive.
Sabiki (bait-jig) fishing from a Breakwater / Pier
Recognised by the mouth, which appears to split back beneath the eye. When these start coming, the jacks and cutlassfish hunting them are close, so it is worth having a live-bait or jigging outfit ready.
Waters: Sea of Japan, Northern Pacific coast, Southern Pacific coast, Seto Inland Sea, East China Sea & western Kyushu
Kit for this fish
Sabiki starter kit ・ Kit total ¥14,000–32,000
Isozao (telescopic shore rod) #3, 3.6 mThe standard rod for sabiki and float fishing. Telescopic, so it packs short and handles easily on a pier. If you buy one rod, buy this.¥4,000–9,000
Spinning reel, size 2500The most versatile size for pier fishing: one reel covers sabiki, float fishing and eging.¥4,000–15,000
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.¥600–2,000
Sabiki rig (hook size 3-6)A ready-made string of feathered hooks. Match the hook size to the fish: 3 for small horse mackerel, 6 for better ones.¥200–600
Krill cage with sinker (for sabiki)The cage you pack with krill to release chum. Bottom-cage versions are the easier choice from a pier.¥200–800
Frozen krill, amiebi (block or tube)The chum for sabiki fishing. The tube type needs no thawing and keeps your hands clean, which suits families.¥300–1,200
Rope bucket for drawing seawaterUsed to rinse hands and chum and to keep fish alive. It is also how you leave the pier clean.¥800–2,500
Fishing pliers / hook removerEssential protection from venomous spines and sharp teeth. Most injuries happen when someone unhooks a fish bare-handed.¥800–4,000
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.¥4,000–25,000
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.¥5,000–20,000
Always include the life jacket, and add the child version if you are bringing children. This kit alone is enough to start.
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.
