The prize of winter surf fishing. It is caught from late autumn to early spring around spawning, but it eats best in early summer, when it is called mugiwara-garei; the two seasons are far apart.
About
A flounder of muddy bays. Those caught where spring water wells up off Hiji in Oita were served to the feudal lord and are still known as shiroshita-garei, flounder from below the castle.
Basics
Scientific name
Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae
Family
Pleuronectidae (Righteye Flounders)
Japanese name
マコガレイ
Kana
まこがれい
Also called
カレイ, かれい, マコ
Waters
Northern Pacific coast, Southern Pacific coast, Seto Inland Sea, Sea of Japan
Size
30 cm (max 50 cm)
Time of day
Dawn, Daytime
Depth (tana)
On the bottom, where it lies buried in sand or mud and waits, which is why this is a rod-on-the-stand, wait-it-out fishery.
Local names
城下かれい
Ad slot
How to catch it
The prime target of autumn-to-spring surfcasting. Anglers cast a weighted two-hook rig baited with sea worms from breakwaters and beaches, then rest the rod and wait.
Set two or three rods on stands and fan the casts to cover ground. Bunch the worms on the hook so they give off scent. This is a fishery rewarded by leaving it alone for half an hour at a time.
It comes into the muddy sand inside harbours in winter. The drop-off along a boat channel is the spot, and it is within reach without a long cast.
Waters: Hokkaido & Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan, Northern Pacific coast, Southern Pacific coast, Seto Inland Sea
Kit for this fish
Surf casting kit ・ Kit total ¥22,000–60,000
Surf rod, 4.25 m, 27-gouA true surf rod for launching heavy sinkers to distant ground. Always check behind you before casting.¥8,000–30,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Spinning reel, size 3000For surf casting and live-bait fishing: holds more line and stands up to mid-sized fish.¥5,000–18,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
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.¥600–2,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Jet tenbin sinker, 15-25 gouThe long-range sinker for surf casting. It lifts as you retrieve, which reduces snags.¥300–900AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Whiting rig (2-3 hooks)A surf rig of small, fine-wire hooks matched to the small mouth of Japanese whiting.¥300–900AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Flounder rig (single-arm sinker, 2 hooks, attractor beads)A winter surf rig; the fluorescent beads make it visible in coloured water.¥400–1,200AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Aoisome (green sandworm / Nereis)The most versatile worm bait, usable for chonage, surf, hole and float fishing alike. Its movement is the attraction, so do not cut it too short.¥500–1,200AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
Rod stand / tripodFor resting a rod during surf fishing. A rod laid on the ground damages its guides and can be washed away.¥2,000–10,000AdFind 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
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
You are swinging a heavy sinker, so checking behind you and keeping distance from others is the core of safety here. The cap and glasses are included as eye protection.
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.
