Fish

Japanese flounder (hirame, olive flounder)

Lenguado japonés (hirame)

Paralichthys olivaceus

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

16–28 in and 2–8 lb.

Depth

10–650 ft; mostly 15–100 ft.

Best time

Dawn and dusk from the beach.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A big left-eyed flounder (both eyes on the left side), olive-brown with dark and pale spots on top and white below, with a big mouth full of sharp teeth. Close cousin of the American summer flounder.
Typical size: 16–28 in and 2–8 lb.
Maximum size: About 3½ ft and 20 lb (9.1 kg).
Diet: Sardines, sand eels, small fish and squid.
Behavior: An ambush predator that lies on sand near rocks and surf gutters and rises to grab passing bait.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Japan & South Korea and China, Hong Kong & Taiwan. Sandy beaches, surf zones and sand next to reefs around Japan, Korea and China.
Habitat: Sandy beaches, surf zones and sand next to reefs around Japan, Korea and China.
Depth: 10–650 ft; mostly 15–100 ft.
Fishing depth: 5–60 ft.
Best season: Autumn to winter (October–February) is peak for surf and boat fishing.
Best time: Dawn and dusk from the beach.
Best tides: The rising tide and the top of the tide, when gutters and holes along the beach fill with water.
Best weather / conditions: Some surf and wave action on the beach helps.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Live sardines or horse mackerel on a stinger rig (from boats).
Best artificial lures: Slim minnows, metal jigs and soft-plastic shads cast from the surf.
Tackle setup: 10–11 ft surf spinning rod; light boat rod for live bait.
Hook size: Stinger trebles behind a 1/0–3/0 hook.
Line: 15–20 lb braid.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon.

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

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Sandy beaches, surf zones and sand next to reefs around Japan, Korea and China.
Rig up: 10–11 ft surf spinning rod; light boat rod for live bait. 20–30 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Live sardines or horse mackerel on a stinger rig (from boats). Lures: Slim minnows, metal jigs and soft-plastic shads cast from the surf.
Fish it: Cast minnows or jigs across surf gutters at dawn and bring them back near the bottom; from boats, drift live sardines over sand near reefs.
Time it: Dawn and dusk from the beach. The rising tide and the top of the tide, when gutters and holes along the beach fill with water.

Fishing techniques: Cast minnows or jigs across surf gutters at dawn and bring them back near the bottom; from boats, drift live sardines over sand near reefs.
BigJoe's tip: Hirame often grab the bait and hold it: wait for a solid pull before you set the hook.
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: one of Japan's top sashimi fish, and the engawa (fin muscle) is a sushi delicacy.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp teeth — use a fish grip and pliers.
Regulations: Some prefectures set minimum sizes; check local rules. 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