Fish

Japanese whiting (kisu)

Pescadilla japonesa (kisu)

Sillago japonica

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

6–9 in.

Depth

1–100 ft.

Best time

Daylight hours, especially early morning and late afternoon.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A small, slim, pale sandy-silver fish with a long pointed snout and two dorsal fins, without spots. The Japanese cousin of the Australian sand whiting.
Typical size: 6–9 in.
Maximum size: About 1 ft.
Diet: Worms and small crustaceans in the sand.
Behavior: Schools over clean sand in the surf and shallow bays, especially in summer.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Japan & South Korea and China, Hong Kong & Taiwan. Sandy beaches and bays of Japan, Korea and China.
Habitat: Sandy beaches and bays of Japan, Korea and China.
Depth: 1–100 ft.
Fishing depth: 3–30 ft.
Best season: Summer (June–September) for surf casting.
Best time: Daylight hours, especially early morning and late afternoon.
Best tides: The rising tide and the top of the tide, when gutters and holes along the beach fill with water.
Best weather / conditions: Calm, clear summer days.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Sandworms (ishigokai and aoisome).
Best artificial lures: Rarely used.
Tackle setup: Long surf rods (13–14 ft) for nage-zuri casting, or a light boat rod.
Hook size: Small kisu hooks (size 6–8) on multi-hook rigs.
Line: PE 0.6–1 braid with a tapered shock leader.
Leader: 3–5 lb monofilament snoods.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Rig Sinker Bait Tool

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Sandy beaches and bays of Japan, Korea and China.
Rig up: Long surf rods (13–14 ft) for nage-zuri casting, or a light boat rod. 3–5 lb monofilament snoods.
Pick your bait: Sandworms (ishigokai and aoisome). Lures: Rarely used.
Fish it: Cast a multi-hook worm rig far out over sand and drag it back very slowly to find the schools.
Time it: Daylight hours, especially early morning and late afternoon. The rising tide and the top of the tide, when gutters and holes along the beach fill with water.

Fishing techniques: Cast a multi-hook worm rig far out over sand and drag it back very slowly to find the schools.
BigJoe's tip: When you get a bite, keep dragging slowly — kisu travel in schools, and more will bite on the same cast.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Excellent: Japan's classic tempura fish.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Harmless; watch for weever-like stingfish and jellyfish on summer beaches.
Regulations: No license at sea; local beach rules apply. Sea fishing in Japan and South Korea needs no license for visitors, but local fishery cooperatives set rules; rivers and lakes require a day or season ticket (in Japan, a yugyoken) from the local fishery cooperative, and many rivers have closed seasons.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat and release the big breeders; wet your hands, support the fish's belly and get it back in the water fast.

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Sources & photo credits