Methods
Float fishing
A float suspends the bait at a chosen depth (tana) and signals the bite by sinking. Its strength is that you can see where your bait is, so hunting for the fish by shifting the depth 50 cm at a time is itself the skill you are learning. With krill or sandworm it covers rockfish, horse mackerel, black seabream and nibbler, and the tackle is cheap. Watching the float bury is the reason many people keep fishing.
Season
Works almost year-round; you simply change the target species with the season.
The kit you need
Float fishing starter kit ・ Kit total ¥13,000–30,000
- Isozao (telescopic shore rod) #3, 3.6 mThe standard rod for sabiki and float fishing. Telescopic, so it packs short and handles easily on a pier. If you buy one rod, buy this. ¥4,000–9,000AdFind 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
- 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
- Float rig set (stick float / cone float)A pack with float, stopper, split shot and hook. It is all you need to start practising depth changes. ¥500–1,500AdFind 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
- 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
Shares the rod and reel with the sabiki kit. The whole craft is in moving the stopper to find the depth.
Product links may be affiliate links. Prices move, so treat the ranges as a guide.
What it catches
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Japanese Horse Mackerel
マアジ / Trachurus japonicus
May–November
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Japanese Red Rockfish
メバル / Sebastes inermis
January–May, November, December
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Japanese Seabass
スズキ / Lateolabrax japonicus
April–November
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Blackhead Seabream
クロダイ / Acanthopagrus schlegelii
April–November
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Yellowfin Seabream
キチヌ / Acanthopagrus latus
May–November
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Barred Knifejaw
イシダイ / Oplegnathus fasciatus
June–October
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Japanese cutlassfish
タチウオ / Trichiurus japonicus
July–December
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Dusky Rabbitfish
アイゴ / Siganus fuscescens
May–November