We’d like to share Max’s challenge: targeting one of Japan’s most extreme deep-sea species — the skilfish(Aburabouzu / Black Cod).
After the Yokohama Fishing Show, I had the rare opportunity to head out to South Izu and challenge one of Japan’s most extreme deep-sea targets —
Skilfish (Aburabouzu / Black Cod) — together with Shintaro Tsutsumi of Garage Nagi (@223_liner).
As the owner of fishing tackle shop, I’ve always believed that truly understanding tackle and techniques means putting yourself on the water — feeling the enjoyment of fishing firsthand, and sharing that feeling with fellow anglers. This trip marked the beginning of a personal challenge I had long hoped to take on.
Skilfish normally inhabit much deeper waters, only migrating into depths shallower than 1000 metres between January and March.
This short seasonal window is the only opportunity each year to target them — and it coincides with Japan's winter, making these offshore expeditions extremely cold, physically demanding, and unforgiving.
They are typically found in depths of 500–1000 metres and commonly weigh 30–100kg, pushing both tackle and anglers to their absolute limits.
For those without prior experience, this fishery represents a true test of endurance.
🎣 From electric reels to manual jigging
Due to their size and extreme depth, Skilfish were traditionally only caught using electric reels with bait.
In recent years, however, the evolution of deep-water slow-pitch jigging has opened the door to challenging them with manual tackle, turning this into one of the most demanding jigging disciplines in the world.
🚢 Pioneers of this fishery
The development of this technique is the result of many years of exploration and refinement by Fishing Charter Chubeimaru (South Izu), together with pioneering anglers from Studio Ocean Mark, Deepliner’s Naoya Oishi, and Yasuo Nishimoto.
Only through their long-term dedication has this fishery become possible today.
This time, under the guidance of Shintaro Tsutsumi (Garage Nagi / @223_liner), and following the Yokohama Fishing Show (@tsurifest), I was finally able to take on this challenge firsthand onboard @chubeimaru in South Izu.
I successfully hooked and landed an absolute beast — a 51.7kg Skilfish 💥
Reef depth: 600m - 700m
https://cdn.shopify.com/videos/c/o/v/4e39e364135249579f453c37ef3f83cd.mp4
🔧 Tackle Used
🎣 Rod: Garage Nagi Cross-Border #16
⚙ Reel: SOM Blue Heaven L100
🧵 Line: Berkley Super FireLine #3 (1200m)
🪝 Jig: Garage Nagi Drepper 1000g
👕 Wear: Mazume winter suits
Many thanks to Chubeimaru and Shintaro Tsutsumi
Looking forward to the next challenge 🇯🇵🎣
#coastalfishingtackle #studiooceanmark #garagenagi #mazume #deepliner
#slowpitchjigging #deepseajigging #japanfishing #aburabouzu #skilfish #blackcod #extremefishing
