When the Obon festival ends, many people may be lost in thought, "Half of the year has already passed." However, for those who fish for red snapper, it is with excitement that "The year has finally come again! The Battle Cup for red snapper has arrived."
This tournament is a fishing tournament for red snapper fish held simultaneously on the main island of Okinawa, Miyakojima, and Ishigakijima, and this year marks its 18th anniversary. It can be said to be the prefectural tournament for red snapper fish, and the winner is the person who catches the heaviest red snapper fish during the limited period from August 23rd to 25th. For red snapper fishermen, winning this tournament is a major goal.
Our fishing partner this time is Yuichiro Tsuji. He is the captain of the Okawa Youth Association and a true fisherman, catching more than 100 giant taman a year. He participated in the Battle Cup, so we spoke to him.
On the first day, due to work commitments I was unable to make the 6pm start time, so I started fishing a little later, around 7pm. The tackle I used was a PE #4 rod, #24 leader, #24 line, and #20 taman hook. I alternated between using harago and rolled squid as bait. The spot was a place where I had caught a taman over 70cm in the past. High tide was around 8pm. At this spot, the best time to catch a fish is when the tide goes from high tide to low tide. As the best time to catch a fish approached, I carefully worked my way around and watched the situation.
Then, just after 10pm, the rod bowed deeply. I quickly grabbed the rod, but unfortunately it got away. Soon after, I caught a 40cm giant snapper with its tail nibbled. I persisted until 2am, but there were no bites, and my first day came to an end.
On the second day, I aimed for the best chance to catch something, so I got myself in shape and started fishing at 9pm. Even after 10pm there were still few bites, but at around 2am the rod finally bowed. I felt my target, a red snapper, in my hand. It was quite a size, and when I pulled it up it was 62cm and 3.18kg. But if I caught a 62cm one, I thought there must be something bigger out there, so I continued fishing.
Then, at around 4am, the rod bowed from the base. Convinced that this was a fish of a winning size, he took the rod and fought with it, but the line snapped and he sadly lost it. He got a big bite at 5am, but the line also snapped. Thus ended Tsuji's summer. The weigh-in was at 10am the next day, but he had given it his all and overslept. When he checked the results at noon, he was surprised to see that it was a fish of a size that would have earned him 10th place. Tsuji was enthusiastic, saying, "I'll put in even more effort in next year's tournament."
October Fishing Information
In October, you can easily enjoy fishing for halfbeaks and bigfin reef squids. It is also the season for camping and catching rockfish. Be sure to check the rules of your local government, such as "prohibition of open fires on the beach" and "seafood" for which fishing rights are designated, and enjoy playing in the sea. If you go out to the sea at night, be sure to go with experienced anglers. Also, be sure to take your trash home with you.
