Chub mackerel
マサバ · saba
Scomber japonicus
A fast-moving schooling fish with dark wavy markings along the back. It often runs sideways when hooked, so recover the rig before lines cross.
Habitat and season
Coastal schools and offshore feeding areas.
- Recorded fishing season
- Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
- Scientific name
- Scomber japonicus
- Japanese name
- マサバ
Months are a broad guide, not a current catch forecast. Region, water temperature and local closures can change the season.
Fishing methods
Sabiki fishing
A multi-hook rig imitates tiny prey while a bait basket releases a small trail of shrimp. Fish vertically at a permitted pier rather than swinging exposed hooks through a crowd.
Vertical jigging
Metal jigs are worked below a boat through the depth occupied by predators.
Find places to fish
ナシレラスター
Red seabream · Chub mackerel · Japanese amberjack
Niigata · Fishing charterたいが（南浜港）
Olive flounder · Chub mackerel
Osaka · Managed fishing park海とのふれあい広場 海釣りテラス
Japanese horse mackerel · Chub mackerel · Japanese sardine
Oita · Fishing charterべっぷ丸
Japanese horse mackerel · Chub mackerel · Thread-sail filefish
Practical guides
Cooking
Dishes and preparation →Compare related fish
Detailed Japanese species notes
背側に青緑色の波状紋があり、腹側は銀白色。マサバはゴマサバより体高が出やすく、腹部に明瞭な黒点が並ばないのが典型です。
鮮度低下が速い魚なので、持ち帰る場合は釣ったら早めに締めて十分に冷やす。生食は寄生虫リスクにも注意する。
Full Japanese page, including available 3D model →