Dropper-rig bottom fishing from a Boat / Charter
Alaska Pollock: After confirming bottom, lift slightly to avoid snags. Follow the skipper on sinker size and drop timing.
Waters: Hokkaido & Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan, Northern Pacific coast
Fish
Alaska Pollock スケトウダラ
Gadus chalcogrammus ・ タラ科
Catch season
- Catchable
- Peak
Months for Alaska Pollock are a broad Japan-wide guide and shift with region, temperature and conditions; prefer local reports and rules.
About
Slimmer than Pacific cod and about a metre long, with large eyes and a lower jaw that juts past the upper one; the chin barbel is barely visible. The brown back carries two lengthwise bands formed by joined-up mottling. Its roe becomes tarako and spicy mentaiko, and because the flesh spoils quickly it is the main raw material for surimi products such as kamaboko and chikuwa.
Basics
- Scientific name
- Gadus chalcogrammus
- Family
- タラ科
- Japanese name
- スケトウダラ
- Kana
- すけとうだら
- Waters
- Hokkaido & Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan, Northern Pacific coast
- Size
- 55 cm (max 100 cm)
- Time of day
- Dawn, Daytime
- Depth (tana)
- Within a few metres of the deep seabed, following the skipper's depth call.
- Local names
- スケソ
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.