Capt. G / Pacific Rim Specialist
Getting Ready!
Jun. 21 2010, 9:49 PM
Jun. 21 2010, 9:49 PM
Getting Ready!
Although we fish offshore year-round here in central Japan, due to the warm Japanese Current, many make the most out of the "summer" season's variety of offshore fish. Our season has gotten off to a slow start due to cooler-than-normal water temperatures in my area. Depending on how far offshore you go, the water temperature is hovering around the 20 degree C (68F) range. Typically, the middle of June sees 21 to 23 (70 to 73.4 F) water temperatures.
I had a half day to kill, so I drove down to Wakayama Prefecture to talk with the commercial fisherman.
Although we fish offshore year-round here in central Japan, due to the warm Japanese Current, many make the most out of the "summer" season's variety of offshore fish. Our season has gotten off to a slow start due to cooler-than-normal water temperatures in my area. Depending on how far offshore you go, the water temperature is hovering around the 20 degree C (68F) range. Typically, the middle of June sees 21 to 23 (70 to 73.4 F) water temperatures.
I had a half day to kill, so I drove down to Wakayama Prefecture to talk with the commercial fisherman.
Most of these guys fish with two or three crew, and fish for "katsuo" (skipjack), or bigeye and yellowfin tuna. Dorado, called "shira" here, are usually so abundant that the market price is very new the break-even cost of a commercial trip, so they are not targeted much in my area.
Note the "swordfish dart" on this boat. These guys fish a 6 (two on the port rigger, two on the starboard, and two astern) boatline spread, or the larger boats double that up, for 12 lines. Most boats utilize a "green stick" in the stern, and this is one of the most amazing commercial fishing techniques that I have ever seen.
Sometimes larger "honmaguro" (bluefin tuna) or "kurokawakajiki" (blue marlin) are hooked, and the harpoon is used to dispatch these larger by catch.
I went to three ports, and overall the commercial catch was a bit off for this time of year, but there is warm (75 degree) purple water from the Kuroshio (Japanese Current) far offshore, and is moving closer each day.
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I spent some time casting/tuning new lures, like the "Aussie Pen" made by Denis B.
Sinking Pencil baits like the one pictured are probably the most popular, and versatile lure for dorado and tuna here in Japan.
You can make long casts, rod tip raised, and skip the lure on the surface, or let it sink a bit, and retrieve with a swimming action.
I like to put a trailer feather (or mylar tube, in this case) on the rear hook to stabilize the lure when retrieved rapidly.
Each year, I take my popping tackle down to the port to cast, tune, and just make sure everything is ready for when I am on the weekly charters I go on. Doing this during a wide open bite is a loss of valuable time!
The water will warm up, the conditions will improve; I will keep you all posted with blogs of my adventures.
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