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A Special Trip with an Old Friend The journey began with a scenic drive across the bridge from Kobe to Awaji Island. Daiki was joined by Nana, his loyal dog who is nearly 11 years old—roughly 80 in human years. Despite her age, her excitement for the boat made the trip a “must-do”. The Catch of the Day The sea conditions were exceptionally calm, allowing the duo to head about 20 minutes offshore from the marina. Using a traditional Sabiki rig, Daiki landed a 55cm Red Snapper. “Since this guy is flipped over, I’m going to dispatch it… I’m going to give it a shink because this one’s really good. …

Read more “Catching Winter MADAI on Traditional Sabiki | Catch and Cook in Japan”

Location: Osaka Bay Channel Conditions: Slack tide; depths ranging from 120m to 160m. The Descent into the Deep Today, we found ourselves positioned exactly in the middle of the Osaka Bay channel. This is a spot known for its notoriously fast currents, so timing is everything. We timed our arrival for the slack tide, giving us a window to target the depths effectively. Our target for the day? Kuroguchi, also known as the Black Mouth Croaker. Reaching them is no small feat. To combat the depth and any lingering current, I’m running a 400g weight. Even with that heavy lead, it takes about a full minute just to reach the …

Read more “Catching Osaka Bay’s “Alternative Nodoguro” | Winter Deep Sea Fishing”

Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of Fishing Life Awaji! It is officially the middle of winter here in Japan. On this trip (December 19th), the early morning temperatures dropped to around 0°C, and the water temperature is dropping rapidly. While many fish become scarce during the cold season in Osaka Bay, there is one reliable target that stays active all year round: Red Snapper. Here is a look at how we target them in the winter and a delicious recipe to warm you up after a freezing day on the water. The Strategy: “Tai Rubber” & Nori Patterns To catch Red Snapper (known locally as Tai) in these …

Read more “Winter Snapper Season Starts in Osaka Bay! (Catch & Cook)”

In this video, we explore the deep respect Japanese culture holds for the ocean and the fish we catch. We believe in Zero-Waste cooking, showing you how to honor your catch by using every single part of the fish—from the skin and bones to the juiciest fillets! 🎣 The Process: From Catch to Kitchen We start by fishing for Red Snapper using the traditional Sabiki rig. Then, we demonstrate the crucial steps Japanese fishermen use to preserve quality: 🇯🇵 The Dishes: Traditional Japanese Cuisine We showcase two iconic dishes that perfectly embody this zero-waste philosophy: This is more than just cooking—it’s a demonstration of Japanese tradition, respect, and maximizing flavor!

Chasing Red Snapper & Tilefish: A Traditional Japanese “Tai Rubber” Adventure Welcome back to another adventure with Fishing Life AI! In this trip, I’m joined by a friend who traveled all the way from Tokyo to join me on the water . Our mission? To chase the prized Japanese Red Snapper and bring our catch home for a delicious dinner . The Setup: Traditional “Tai Rubber” We headed offshore to use a very specific, traditional Japanese fishing rig known as “Thai (Tai) Rubber” . This rig is specifically designed for catching Red Snapper . The setup is quite unique compared to western lures: You might wonder why we use such …

Read more “The Ultimate Lure Born in Japan Works on Every Fish Species!”

A Sushi Mission: From a Choppy Sea to a Perfect Dinner Hey, good morning, guys. I’m Daiki , and my mission started early—at about 5:30 in the morning. The goal for today is to prepare fish for a sushi dinner tonight. After a quick stop at Family Mart to get some coffee, it was time to head out. The Gear and the Plan Today, I’m mainly going to use a 60 g jig. It looks pretty good ; it’s beautiful. Maybe the fish might like it. I have two different colors: red gold and blue pink. My setup is all set: With this setup, I’m mainly targeting Spanish mackerel. A …

Read more “Catching Fish in Rough Seas for Homemade Sushi Dinner (Catch & Cook)”

A Day on the Water: Catching and Cooking Japan’s Tastiest Squid The perfect day for a fisherman often starts before dawn. The preparation is a ritual: the ice is ready , the gas tank is full, and the gear is meticulously laid out. Lures, rods, and reels are all set for an adventure. For Daiki of “Fishing Life Awaji” today’s target is a prized catch at the very beginning of its season. The Hunt for Reef Squid Welcome to another episode of Fishing Life Awaji! Daiki is heading out in early October, just as the squid fishing season kicks off. The goal is to catch the reef squid, known as …

Read more “Finally the Season Opens! Catching the Best Squid to Eat in Osaka Bay (TIPRUN EGING)”

Jigging for Giants: A Fishing and Shabu-Shabu Adventure Welcome back to another episode of Fishing Life Awaji with your host, Diki. Today’s mission is an ambitious one: targeting a variety of prized fish including yellowtail, amberjack, snapper, and groupers. The method of choice is jigging, one of the simplest yet most effective ways to fish. A Day on the Water Out on the water, the conditions are promising. The depth is around 40 meters, and the fish finder shows activity from the bottom to the middle range of the water column. The first catch of the day is a regular-sized yellowtail. Soon after, another fish hits, this one feeling much …

Read more “Freshest Fish Hotpot (Shabu-Shabu) Directly From the Ocean in Japan”

The Silver Dragon of Osaka Bay: A Guide to Catching and Cooking Beltfish The day begins before dawn, with a quick breakfast before heading to the boat. Today’s target is a special one—something long, silver, shiny, and incredibly delicious. It’s one of the most popular fish to catch in Japan, with a season that runs from summer through fall. Gearing Up for the Hunt To catch this elusive creature, a specific setup is required. The gear for the day includes: The bait is a frozen sardine, which is attached to the Tenya jig and secured firmly with a thin wire. With the rig set up and the boat launched, it’s …

Read more “Belt Fish Season Starts in Osaka Bay & Best Ways to Eat This Fish”

Summer Heat and Tough Bites: A Multi-Rig Fishing Adventure Hey, welcome back to another episode of Fishing Life Awaji! It’s the end of July, and the weather here in Japan is super hot and humid. The intense heat means fishing time is limited to just two or three hours before it becomes unbearable. A Versatile Rig for a Short Trip To make the most of the limited time, I’m using a special multi-target rig today. It’s a combination of a Tai rubber jig at the end of the line and a three-hook sabiki rig positioned above it. This setup is designed to attract different types of fish simultaneously: the sabiki …

Read more “Easy & Delicious! Japanese Fish Tartare that Anyone can Try”