Methods
Eging (squid jigging with egi)
Sink an egi, a shrimp-shaped jig, snap it upward, and let the squid grab it on the fall. No bait, no mess and light gear, so it is easy to go often, but whether you catch depends almost entirely on the quality of your jerk and your fall, which is why skill shows so clearly. Spring brings large spawning squid and autumn brings numbers of small ones, so the same spot fishes differently by season.
Season
Two seasons: large spawners in spring (April-June) and small autumn squid (September-November). Midsummer and midwinter are hard.
The kit you need
Eging kit ・ Kit total ¥28,000–70,000
- Eging rod, 8.6 ft, MediumA crisp rod for snapping the egi upward. At 8.6 ft it is the standard length that works from piers, rocks and beaches alike. ¥8,000–30,000AdFind 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, 0.6-gouThe eging standard. With no stretch, both the snap you give the egi and the weight of a squid come straight back to your hand. ¥1,500–4,500AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Fluorocarbon leaderThe clear line tied to the end of the braid. It resists abrasion and is less visible, protecting the braid from rock and teeth. ¥800–3,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Egi (squid jig), size 3.5The reference size for eging. Use 2.5-3 for small autumn squid and 3.5-4 for large spring spawners. ¥700–2,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Landing net with 5 m handlePiers sit high above the water and heavy fish break off if you lift them. Having one changes what you land. ¥4,000–20,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Waterproof headlampEssential for night fishing; keeping both hands free is itself a safety measure. Etiquette is never to shine it at people or straight onto the water. ¥1,500–8,000AdFind 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
No bait costs, but a higher up-front spend. You will lose egi to snags, so carry several of the same size.
Product links may be affiliate links. Prices move, so treat the ranges as a guide.
What it catches
Beginner guide
Eging for beginners — snap it up, let it fall, and wait on the fall
Bigfin reef squid on a shrimp-shaped jig. No bait, light gear — and the fall, not the jerk, is what catches.