Your first cutlassfish boat trip

Cutlassfish is a fish even beginners can catch in numbers — yet on the same boat, "0 fish" and "30 fish" anglers sit side by side. The difference is rarely luck; it comes down to two things. ① Don't miss the depth (the "instructed depth," or tana). Cutlassfish hold in the band the skipper calls out ("◯m to ◯m"). Watch your line counter and work only that range. ② Bites come on the fall, not the retrieve. The sign is the falling line suddenly stopping (a "tick") or going slack. If you wait for a clear pull, you miss the best chance. Get these two right and your first day changes. Below: the methods, the day's flow, landing on board, and taking your catch home — in the order beginners actually stumble.

Meeting/departure times, fares, rentals, payment methods, parking, ice, and whether rigs are sold vary by operator. Always check the operator's official information before your trip.

New to boat fishing?What to wear, plus the cooler, bag and gear to bring when you travel by train.Gear & clothing

Learn the methods

Choose based on the operator's spec and rentals.

Metal jig fishing

Try this first — easy, no bait

Sink a metal jig to the instructed depth, jerk sharply, pause, and let the fish take on the fall. No bait, clean hands, fast and wide searching — it's the most popular method now. The key is to work only the band the skipper calls out, at a good tempo.

How to work it: Sink to the instructed depth, jerk and stop → wait on the fall; repeat. Most bites come during the fall.
What to watch: The falling line ticking to a stop or going slack = a bite. Set sharply when you feel weight or something odd.
Gear: Jig weight changes with the current — match the skipper's call, or you can't find bottom and won't catch. PE ~1.0 + leader 30–50 lb.
Note: Teeth are sharp — use a thick leader. Follow the operator's rules on hooks/wire.

Easy to start with no bait, and the give-and-take on the fall is fun. The top pick if you just want to try once.

Tenya fishing

Bait-based — good for bigger fish

Fix a sardine to a "tenya" (sinker and hook in one), lift slowly and let it drop softly to tempt. The scent and movement produce even on tough days, and it tends to hook good, large fish.

How to work it: From the bottom to the instructed depth, lift slowly and let it drop softly; repeat.
Hookset: Don't strike instantly on a bite — feed line, then set firmly on the weight.
Bait: Sardine is often provided/sold by the operator. Ask the skipper how to attach it.
Note: Sinker size per the operator. Follow the specified leader/wire so the teeth don't cut you off.

Attaching bait takes a little practice, but it's easy to feel the hook-up of a good fish.

Bait fishing

Rod-rest / tempting — easy to handle

With a tenbin and cut mackerel, carefully work the instructed depth. Little flashy action makes it easy for beginners. Follow the operator's rig and tempting instructions.

How to work it: Tempt slowly at the instructed depth; on a bite, feed line calmly before setting.
Strength: Modest action, easy to handle even the first time.
Bait: Cut mackerel, etc. often provided by the operator. Ask the skipper about attaching it and the depth.
Note: Follow the operator's rig and sinker. Beware of the sharp teeth.

At first it's enough to find the bottom and depth as instructed. Add your own touches as you get used to it.