Chonage (short-cast bottom fishing) from a Rocky shore
Cast onto sand and retrieve slowly without lifting the rig off bottom. Repeat the line where one school fish was found.
Waters: Okinawa & Nansei Islands, East China Sea & western Kyushu
Fish
Yellowfin Goatfish アカヒメジ
Mulloidichthys vanicolensis ・ Mullidae (Goatfishes)
Catch season
- Catchable
- Peak
Schools move onto sand beside Okinawan reef from spring into autumn.
About
Probes the sand with a pair of barbels under its chin. By day it schools with its yellow stripe on show; by night it takes on a deeper red.
Basics
- Scientific name
- Mulloidichthys vanicolensis
- Family
- Mullidae (Goatfishes)
- Japanese name
- アカヒメジ
- Kana
- あかひめじ
- Waters
- Okinawa & Nansei Islands, East China Sea & western Kyushu
- Size
- 25 cm (max 35 cm)
- Time of day
- Dawn, Daytime
- Depth (tana)
- On the bottom, worked slowly along the sand-rock boundary.
How to catch it
Kit for this fish
Chonage starter kit ・ Kit total ¥11,000–24,000
- Compact all-round rod, 2.4 mThe entry rod for chonage and light bottom fishing. It packs down to about 50 cm, so it travels by train, and a child can swing it. ¥2,500–6,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Spinning reel, size 1000-2000A small reel for chonage, hole fishing and light work. Light enough for a child to hold. ¥2,500–8,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Nylon line, 2-gou (about 8 lb)The standard for chonage and float fishing. Its stretch absorbs sudden runs and forgives an imperfect knot. ¥600–2,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Chonage rig set (sinker arm + 2 hooks)A pack with the sinker arm, weight and hooks together; you only have to tie one knot to the main line. ¥300–900AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Jarime (small sandworm)Thinner than aoisome and better matched to the small mouths of whiting and goby. ¥500–1,200AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Rope bucket for drawing seawaterUsed to rinse hands and chum and to keep fish alive. It is also how you leave the pier clean. ¥800–2,500AdFind 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
A compact rod travels by train. Jarime is the easiest bait to handle.
Product links may be affiliate links. Prices move, so treat the ranges as a guide.
Eating
Good salt-grilled, fried, or in soup.
Best eating: May–August
Rules
Check reef protected areas.
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.