Dropper-rig bottom fishing from a Boat / Charter
Yellow goosefish: After confirming bottom, lift slightly to avoid snags. Follow the skipper on sinker size and drop timing.
Waters: Northern Pacific coast, Sea of Japan, Deep sea
Fish
Yellow goosefish キアンコウ
Lophius litulon ・ アンコウ科
Catch season
- Catchable
- Peak
Months for Yellow goosefish are a broad Japan-wide guide and shift with region, temperature and conditions; prefer local reports and rules.
About
An ambush predator of the seabed that waves a fleshy lure, the esca, on the tip of a modified dorsal spine. Females top 1.5 m while males stay around 60 cm. It is told from the related blackmouth goosefish by its mouth, which lacks that species' large white blotches. Most fish sold as anko in Japan are this one, and butchering a specimen hung from a hook is a local spectacle.
Basics
- Scientific name
- Lophius litulon
- Family
- アンコウ科
- Japanese name
- キアンコウ
- Kana
- きあんこう
- Waters
- Northern Pacific coast, Sea of Japan, Deep sea
- Size
- 83 cm (max 150 cm)
- Time of day
- Dawn, Daytime
- Depth (tana)
- Within a few metres of the deep seabed, following the skipper's depth call.
How to catch it
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–March, November, 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.