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 targets smaller, plankton-eating fish like jack mackerel, while the Tai rubber is for larger, fish-eating predators like snapper. This allows me to fish for multiple species without wasting precious time changing rigs.
A Day of Frustration and a Few Surprises
The fishing spot is conveniently close, just a five-minute boat ride from the marina. The technique is simple: drop the rig to the bottom and reel it in slowly.
Even in the early morning, the temperature is already climbing towards a staggering 35°C (95°F). The summers here are getting worse each year, which is even causing a slight shift in the local fish species. Sometimes, we’re catching fish that have never been seen in this area before.
Though my fish finder shows plenty of activity below, the fish aren’t biting—they just don’t seem hungry. After some persistence, I manage to catch a small jack mackerel on the sabiki rig, which I keep for live bait. I decide to change spots, moving a little further south.
The move pays off with another, bigger jack mackerel. This one is a keeper, as it’s their best season and they contain a lot of fat. But then, the day takes a frustrating turn. I hook into what feels like a snapper, but the hook comes off. This happens again… and again. It’s a “nightmare” of lost fish, with every big bite resulting in a lost catch.
In the end, it was a day of failure on the water. The conditions were almost perfect—the rig, the current, and the water temperature were all good—but the timing was off, and the fish were just not committing to the bite.
Turning a Tough Day into a Tasty Dinner
Despite the poor luck, I still have the delicious jack mackerel to cook for dinner. I plan to make two of my favorite dishes:
Fish Tartar and Grilled Fish.
Recipe 1: Jack Mackerel Tartar
This dish is incredibly easy and perfect for a hot summer day.
- Prep: First, fillet the fish, remove the rib cage, and peel off the skin.
- Chop: Finely chop the fish fillet, along with fresh scallion and ginger.
- Mix: Combine the chopped ingredients in a bowl and season with a bit of mirin and soy sauce. Mix it all together, and it’s done!
Recipe 2: Grilled Jack Mackerel
This simple grilling method creates a perfect balance of crispy skin and soft meat.
- Prep the Fillet: Using a “V cut” knife technique, I remove the pin bones from the fillet without damaging the meat. I season it with salt and pepper and sprinkle flour on one side to help it brown.
- Cook: I heat a generous amount of olive oil in a pan over medium heat and add sliced garlic and sweet green peppers.
- Grill: The fillet is placed in the pan, covered, and cooked for about three minutes until the skin is beautifully crispy.
The meat is incredibly soft, and the skin is perfectly crispy—a delicious end to a challenging day.