Epic Hairtail Jigging at Kanazawa-Hakkei!
— Testing a New Assist Hook
Area / Charter Boat
Tokyo Bay, Kanazawa-Hakkei to off Sarushima / Charter boat "Ohtaya"
Result
30 hits / 28 fish
Biggest: over 120cm
Hit jig
TG Bait red-gold 120g / Gamakatsu assist hooks
Summer on Tokyo Bay means hairtail jigging. On Aug 8, 2025, I went out with "Ohtaya," a long-established charter boat in Kanazawa-Hakkei, for a serious showdown with hairtail for the first time in a while. This report covers not just the catch but also a review of Gamakatsu's assist hooks!
The Pre-Trip Report: "Still Red-Hot"
According to the reports before departure, hairtail had been very active since July, with bumper catches continuing. How could I not get my hopes up! Clear skies and calm seas. Perfect fishing weather — off we went.
A Good Fish Right Away at 30m off Sarushima!
We started along the 30m depth line off Sarushima. The jig I used was the [TG Bait 120g (red-gold)]. As usual, red-gold was the hot color. Right after we started, a fish over 120cm hit! That one turned out to be my biggest fish of the day.
Gamakatsu Assist Hooks: Better Than Expected
What I most wanted to test on this trip was Gamakatsu's assist hook recommended by charter boats. I was a little nervous switching from the DAIWA hooks I was used to… but the result: excellent! Deep hookups and few drops. It hooked fish consistently even when they were finicky, and it felt trustworthy. It reminded me again that in hairtail jigging, your choice of assist hook directly affects your catch.
Result: 30 Hits, 28 Fish! A Bonanza
30
Hits
28
Landed
In the morning the fish were very active and biting nonstop. After noon, activity gradually dropped, more small fish showed up, and I released many.
Bring Plenty of Spare Jigs!
Because the fish were so active that day, I also lost a lot of jigs to snags and hairtail's sharp teeth. In the end I lost five jigs… TG Bait and jigs of that class aren't cheap, so it hurt the wallet too. For hairtail jigging, I strongly recommend accepting that "jigs are consumables" and bringing plenty of spares.
Today's Wrap-Up and Impressions
- Catch ◎: Decent average size and plenty of fish. Summer hairtail really is the best.
- Hit jig: TG Bait red-gold 120g (a great ally in the morning)
- Hook verdict: The Gamakatsu assist hooks are more reliable than I expected
- Heads-up: You go through a lot of jigs, so bring plenty!
My first hairtail jigging trip in a while was a day packed with numbers, size, challenges and lessons. Next time I want to take on the fish with a wider variety of jigs. Everyone, pay attention to carrying spare jigs and choosing your hooks!
See you on Tokyo Bay!
Not Sure Which Hairtail Jig to Choose?
The editor's recommended metal jigs, hand-picked by weight and type — including the TG Bait used on this trip.
▶ Read "Tokyo Bay Hairtail Jigging: 5 Recommended Metal Jigs"