Fish species in Japan

Japanese sardinella

サッパ · sappa
Sardinella zunasi

Japanese sardinella are small silver schooling fish often caught on sabiki rigs.

Habitat and season

Bays, estuaries and coastal schools.

Recorded fishing season: May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov
Scientific name: Sardinella zunasi
Japanese name: サッパ

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.

Find places to fish

Shizuoka · Harbour

吉田港

Japanese horse mackerel · Japanese sardine · Japanese sardinella

Hyogo · Pier / seawall

野瀬埠頭

Japanese seabass · Japanese horse mackerel · Japanese sardine

Kumamoto · Harbour

三角東港

Japanese whiting · Japanese horse mackerel · Chub mackerel

Miyazaki · Managed fishing park

みやざき臨海公園・釣り護岸

Japanese sardinella · Marbled rockfish · Yellowfin goby

Find spots for japanese sardinella on the map →

Cooking

Detailed recipes for this species are currently in Japanese. Open the Japanese cooking guide →

Compare related fish

Detailed Japanese species notes

平たく体高のある銀色の体。腹の縁が硬くぎざぎざする。マイワシのような体側の黒点列がない。

腹側の硬い鱗で手を擦らないよう魚ばさみを使用。酢漬けも生食料理であり、酢だけを寄生虫対策にしないでください。

Full Japanese page, including available 3D model →