Methods
Bait-cage casting
A float and cage of chum are cast offshore so the hook bait drifts with the released feed. It reaches travelling fish beyond ordinary float range, but the rig is heavy and long: check behind and to both sides before every cast.
Season
Mainly early summer through late autumn when pelagic fish move inshore.
The kit you need
Bait-cage casting kit ・ Kit total ¥26,000–68,000
- 4.5 m distance-casting float rodDistance-casting float rod rated for a bait cage and float. ¥9,000–30,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Spinning reel, size 4000-5000For shore jigging. A smooth drag under a running fish matters more than anything here, so this is not the place to economise. ¥10,000–35,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Nylon line, 5-gou (about 20 lb)Main line for live-bait fishing, giving margin once something large is on. ¥800–2,500AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Distance bait-cage and float rigCage, float and boom assembly; keep the weight within the rod rating. ¥1,200–4,000AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Okiami krill (raw or boiled)The hook bait for float and fukase fishing. Boiled stands up to bait thieves; raw gets more bites. ¥400–1,200AdFind on AmazonFind on Rakuten
- Groundbait mix for chummingPowder mixed with krill so the chum throws well. Changing its density and stickiness delivers the chum to the depth you want. ¥500–1,500AdFind 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
- 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
- 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
The heavy rig demands head and eye protection plus generous casting clearance.
Product links may be affiliate links. Prices move, so treat the ranges as a guide.
What it catches
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Pacific Saury
サンマ / Cololabis saira
May–November
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Pacific Herring
ニシン / Clupea pallasii
May–November
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Temperate Scad
ムロアジ / Decapterus muroadsi
May–November
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Blue Mackerel
ゴマサバ / Scomber australasicus
May–November
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Smallspotted Dart
コバンアジ / Trachinotus baillonii
May–November
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Longjaw Mackerel
グルクマ / Rastrelliger kanagurta
May–November
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Almaco Jack
ヒレナガカンパチ / Seriola rivoliana
May–November
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Rainbow Runner
ツムブリ / Elagatis bipinnulata
May–November
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Dogtooth Tuna
イソマグロ / Gymnosarda unicolor
May–November
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Double-lined Mackerel
ニジョウサバ / Grammatorcynus bilineatus
May–November
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Whitefin Trevally
カイワリ / Kaiwarinus equula
May–November
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Snubnose Dart
マルコバン / Trachinotus blochii
May–November
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Round herring
ウルメイワシ / Etrumeus micropus
May–November
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Bright Knifefish
タカベ / Labracoglossa argenteiventris
May–November
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Yellowfin Tuna
キハダ / Thunnus albacares
May–November
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Pacific Bluefin Tuna
クロマグロ / Thunnus orientalis
May–November
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Japanese flyingfish
トビウオ / Cypselurus agoo
May–November