Fish species in Japan

Japanese rockfish

メバル · mebaru
Sebastes inermis

These large-eyed rockfish use shallow structure and low-light feeding opportunities. A slow lure above the rocks can be more effective than dragging bottom.

Habitat and season

Rocky shallows, seaweed edges and harbour structures.

Recorded fishing season: Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May
Scientific name: Sebastes inermis
Japanese name: メバル

Months are a broad guide, not a current catch forecast. Region, water temperature and local closures can change the season.

Fishing methods

Mebaring — light rockfish lures

Small lures search harbour edges and rocky shallows for mebaru. Slow controlled movement can be more useful than long casts.

Find places to fish

Tokushima · Fishing charter

海誠（鳴門）

Red seabream · Japanese amberjack · Largehead hairtail

Osaka · Fishing charter

八千代丸

Largehead hairtail · Japanese horse mackerel · Japanese rockfish

Kanagawa · Managed fishing park

東扇島西公園釣り施設

Japanese horse mackerel · Chub mackerel · Japanese rockfish

Aichi · Managed fishing park

碧南釣り広場

Black seabream · Japanese seabass · Japanese rockfish

Find spots for japanese rockfish on the map →

Cooking

Dishes and preparation →

Compare related fish

Marbled rockfish

カサゴ

Japanese horse mackerel

マアジ

Detailed Japanese species notes

大きな目と張り出した口が特徴。体色には個体差があります。

背びれの棘に注意し、魚つかみがあると扱いやすい。

Full Japanese page, including available 3D model →