Also known as
- Yellowtail US
- Japanese Yellowtail US
- Hamachi US
- Buri US
- Inada US
Identification
A heavy torpedo-shaped Northwest Pacific pelagic powerhouse and Japan's most prized sportfish — built for sustained speed and explosive structure-bound runs.
- Bright yellow horizontal band running the entire length of the body
- Yellow tail and yellow-tinged fins — the namesake feature
- Bluish-grey to olive back grading to silvery-white belly
- Streamlined heavily muscled build with very fine scales
- Heavily muscled compact tail base built for sustained power
Where it holds
- Offshore
- Inshore
Behaviour
A schooling highly migratory pelagic predator of the Northwest Pacific working the upper 50m around offshore reefs, seamounts, headlands, and current-line drop-offs. Hunts mid-water for sardines, anchovies, small mackerel, and squid using explosive speed. Juveniles ride the warm Kuroshio Current north in spring-summer; mature fish move south to deep 200m breeding grounds in winter. Most active in 16-22°C (61-72°F) water; depth by day, shallower by night.
Diet: Sardines, Anchovies, Small Mackerel, Small Baitfish, Squid
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Jigging
The dominant Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese charter approach and birthplace of slow-pitch jigging — drop a 150-300g speed jig or slow-pitch jig (silver, blue, pink, chrome, often with holographic finish) over offshore reef, seamount, or current edge in 30-100m and work it with sharp aggressive sweeps or slow-pitch lifts. PE4-6 jigging tackle, 15-24kg braid, 30cm of 80-120lb fluorocarbon leader. Shore-jigging variant casts 60-100g jigs from rocky headlands.
Live Lining
The traditional Japanese buri-fishery approach — drop a live sardine, anchovy, or small mackerel on a 8/0-11/0 circle hook with 80-120lb fluorocarbon leader to within 10m of bottom or schooled fish. Pre-spawn aggregations along the 200m contour are particularly receptive. Strikes are violent; let the fish turn before setting the hook on the circle.
Trolling
An effective method for locating migrating schools along the Kuroshio current edges — pull deep-diving plugs, skirted lures, and rigged baits at 4-7 knots over temperature breaks and current lines. Once a school is found, switch to jigging or live-lining for follow-up hookups. PE3-4 trolling tackle, 60-80lb fluorocarbon leader.
Spear Fishing
Bluewater Spearfishing
A premier East Asian bluewater spearo target — free-dive offshore reefs, seamounts, and current lines in 20-50m where schools concentrate during migration. Curious but wary; a slow drift-stalk usually brings them within range. Aim for the head or spine on the first shot. 110-130cm gun with double or triple bands and 7.5mm shaft, breakaway rig with 400lb+ shooting line.
Inshore Spearfishing
An accessible Japanese and Korean approach where smaller fish (3-10kg) move onto inshore reefs and rocky headlands during warmer months — stalk slowly using structure for cover in 15-40m. Tidal-change visibility windows produce best results. 100-120cm gun with double bands and 7.0-7.5mm shaft.
