Capt. G / Pacific Rim Specialist
The Other Pacific Coast
Apr. 21 2009, 10:41 AM
Apr. 21 2009, 10:41 AM
Hello everyone, my name is Capt. Greg Vella, but most people call me "Capt. G."
Pacific Rim Specialist is a title that may be too grand for the person it is bestowed upon, but I will try my best to bring you some interesting information and pictures from the "other" side of the Pacific. I have lived in Japan for almost 20 years, and currently reside in Osaka, which is roughly a straight shot (same latitude) across the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles, where I grew up.
Pacific Rim Specialist is a title that may be too grand for the person it is bestowed upon, but I will try my best to bring you some interesting information and pictures from the "other" side of the Pacific. I have lived in Japan for almost 20 years, and currently reside in Osaka, which is roughly a straight shot (same latitude) across the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles, where I grew up.
We are blessed with some fine saltwater fishing on both the Pacific Ocean side and the Sea of Japan side. The Kuroshio is a current much like the Gulf Stream, and it brings warm water up from the South Pacific. Even in winter, we can find warm water offshore (about 30 to 100 miles) and catch warm-water species like skipjack and yellowfin tuna.
However, the main target in the winter is the "hiramasa" (Pacific yellowtail) and "buri" (Japanese yellowtail).
We generally fish these fish in deep water, 30 to 50 fathom, with metal jigs. Very little live bait fishing is done for yellowtail here.
Around this time of the year, the dorado start showing at the offshore FADs. Although they can be caught year round (I have caught them in every month of the year), the real season will start in late May. By the time summer comes, the dorado fishing can only be described as epic. Again, almost no live bait fishing is done for the dorado either, but the fish respond well to surface poppers, and a variety of other lures. The fish average 8 to 15 pounds, with plenty of 20- to 30-pound fish mixed in. I have hooked some really large dorado on blue marlin lures as well.
One of my favorite ways to catch the dorado is on fly tackle – usually a 7 wt. will suffice for the school-size dorado, and a 10 or 12 wt. rod for the larger fish found on the FADS or weed lines. I do some commercial lift-pole fishing here for one-pole tuna, as well as dorado. I put 714 dorado on the boat with me in the racks, and a chummer one morning, which attests to how good the dorado fishing is here.
Fall sees the arrival of a very popular inshore species of fish, "suzuki" or Japanese seabass. Much like a snook, these fish can be found at the mouths of rivers and in harbors where baitfish are numerous.
The main bait is the "katakuchi-iwashi" (anchovy), "maiwashi" (sardine) and "aji" (Spanish mackerel). These fish hit lures, such as minnows, as well as soft baits, such as swim-baits rigged with leadheads. Along with the seabass, "tachiuo" (cutlassfish) can be found just below the seabass, under the same schools of bait.
Although very good to eat, most anglers release the seabass they catch.
And Fall offshore night fishing is very good for "baramutsu" (escolar). I charter small six-pack boats each fall, and the fish are so numerous that we seldom fail to average three per angler on a p.m. to midnight trip. Depending on the geographical area, the size ranges from 20 to 50 pounds. I have caught some that bottomed out my 30 kg scale (66 lbs) before a quick pic and release.
All escolar are released here in Japan and it is illegal to sell escolar meat here in the markets.
Good fishing to you,
Capt. G
However, the main target in the winter is the "hiramasa" (Pacific yellowtail) and "buri" (Japanese yellowtail).
We generally fish these fish in deep water, 30 to 50 fathom, with metal jigs. Very little live bait fishing is done for yellowtail here.
Around this time of the year, the dorado start showing at the offshore FADs. Although they can be caught year round (I have caught them in every month of the year), the real season will start in late May. By the time summer comes, the dorado fishing can only be described as epic. Again, almost no live bait fishing is done for the dorado either, but the fish respond well to surface poppers, and a variety of other lures. The fish average 8 to 15 pounds, with plenty of 20- to 30-pound fish mixed in. I have hooked some really large dorado on blue marlin lures as well.
One of my favorite ways to catch the dorado is on fly tackle – usually a 7 wt. will suffice for the school-size dorado, and a 10 or 12 wt. rod for the larger fish found on the FADS or weed lines. I do some commercial lift-pole fishing here for one-pole tuna, as well as dorado. I put 714 dorado on the boat with me in the racks, and a chummer one morning, which attests to how good the dorado fishing is here.
Fall sees the arrival of a very popular inshore species of fish, "suzuki" or Japanese seabass. Much like a snook, these fish can be found at the mouths of rivers and in harbors where baitfish are numerous.
The main bait is the "katakuchi-iwashi" (anchovy), "maiwashi" (sardine) and "aji" (Spanish mackerel). These fish hit lures, such as minnows, as well as soft baits, such as swim-baits rigged with leadheads. Along with the seabass, "tachiuo" (cutlassfish) can be found just below the seabass, under the same schools of bait.
Although very good to eat, most anglers release the seabass they catch.
And Fall offshore night fishing is very good for "baramutsu" (escolar). I charter small six-pack boats each fall, and the fish are so numerous that we seldom fail to average three per angler on a p.m. to midnight trip. Depending on the geographical area, the size ranges from 20 to 50 pounds. I have caught some that bottomed out my 30 kg scale (66 lbs) before a quick pic and release.
All escolar are released here in Japan and it is illegal to sell escolar meat here in the markets.
Good fishing to you,
Capt. G
Justin Lerner
January 17, 2011, 1:14 am
Hello Capt. G,
Do you still charter fish for escolar? If so, when is good and how much for a trip?
Thanks!!!
Justin
January 17, 2011, 1:14 am
Hello Capt. G,
Do you still charter fish for escolar? If so, when is good and how much for a trip?
Thanks!!!
Justin
Capt. G
May 11, 2010, 8:52 am
Hi Johnny Halibut,
You inquired about which reels I use--Daiwa or Avet.
I use both Shimano (Twin Power, Stella) and Daiwa (KiX series) spinning reels for jigging and popping. For conventional, I use Shimano Ocea Jiggers (called Trinidad in the USA) for fishing the iron/vertical jigging, and Accurates for live bait fishing.
If you have a chance to visit Japan for some fishing, I suggest that you try to come in September, as you can catch Dorado, school size bigeye and yellowfin tuna, and wahoo in a typical 3/4 day trip.
May 11, 2010, 8:52 am
Hi Johnny Halibut,
You inquired about which reels I use--Daiwa or Avet.
I use both Shimano (Twin Power, Stella) and Daiwa (KiX series) spinning reels for jigging and popping. For conventional, I use Shimano Ocea Jiggers (called Trinidad in the USA) for fishing the iron/vertical jigging, and Accurates for live bait fishing.
If you have a chance to visit Japan for some fishing, I suggest that you try to come in September, as you can catch Dorado, school size bigeye and yellowfin tuna, and wahoo in a typical 3/4 day trip.
Johnny Halibut
May 7, 2010, 6:01 pm
Hi there - I am a native New Yorker - but have been living in Los Angeles for 17 years and have done a bit of Yellow Tail fishing, White Seabass, Calico etc etc. Would love to come to Japan for some fishing. Are you using Daiwa reels or Avet?
May 7, 2010, 6:01 pm
Hi there - I am a native New Yorker - but have been living in Los Angeles for 17 years and have done a bit of Yellow Tail fishing, White Seabass, Calico etc etc. Would love to come to Japan for some fishing. Are you using Daiwa reels or Avet?
Capt. G
April 22, 2009, 11:44 pm
Hi John,
Compared to where I grew up, California, Japan, and others countries I have fished do not have the bait availability in terms of bait boats and bait receivers like Southern California has.
Vertical jigging is very popular here, as is popper fishing for tuna and dorado. I know some commercial fisherman that are usually willing to three to four scoops of anchovies and sardines, for about US$ 80. Even if I am taking a group that likes to fish lures only, as you know, a little chum goes a long way into getting fish in a feeding mode.
April 22, 2009, 11:44 pm
Hi John,
Compared to where I grew up, California, Japan, and others countries I have fished do not have the bait availability in terms of bait boats and bait receivers like Southern California has.
Vertical jigging is very popular here, as is popper fishing for tuna and dorado. I know some commercial fisherman that are usually willing to three to four scoops of anchovies and sardines, for about US$ 80. Even if I am taking a group that likes to fish lures only, as you know, a little chum goes a long way into getting fish in a feeding mode.
John Banta
April 22, 2009, 8:06 am
Greg you are living the dream. Very nice read. Is bait just not available or not desired?
April 22, 2009, 8:06 am
Greg you are living the dream. Very nice read. Is bait just not available or not desired?
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January 19, 2011, 10:26 am
Hi Justin,
I do not operate charters for escolar or oilfish here in Japan; I am simply one of the passengers on these boats that enjoys fishing for these meso-pelegic fish.
Boat prices vary, but an average price for a night trip for these fish would run approximately US$100 ( at today's exchange rate) per person, with a six person charter running US$ 800 to $1,000.
The best time of year to fish for escolar and oilfish is September through November; that is typically when both the largest fish , and greatest numbers are boated.