Ajing fishing - Part 1- Intro

Ajing fishing is a method of fishing used to catch horse mackerel using a lure. This technique originated from Japan and has slowly spread outwards to other countries. This form of fishing is so popular specialized tackle has been made just for this form of fishing.

The target species 

Japanese horse mackerel  which Japanese name is Aji.
Max length: 50 cm
Common length: 20 - 30cm
Diet: Small fish, crustaceans, squid.
Best time to fish: Night time
Table quality: Small but yummy

Why is Ajing so popular? 

It is BAIT. Just use a sabiki ! These will be very common phrases that you will hear when you start ajing. Yes both are true, but lets break it down... If you are fishing for your ego and bragging rights then this not for you and aint gonna get you the 50 facebook likes you so dearly hope to get. If you however enjoy fishing as a form of recreation, relaxation and want to hone your techniques and get technical about the tiniest difference and spend countless of hours thinking how to be a better angler to perfect your technique then welcome aboard.It is true that fishing with such light lines and tackle makes you a better angler, for example with light lines and hooks the slightest mistake when fighting the fish will cause you to lose it. Lets see why its so popular

Firstly, Horse mackerels are baitfish and sit low on the food chain. That fact is good news for us anglers because the lower on the food chain it sits the bigger the population. If bait fish populations are low in that area you are fishing there is a good chance the bigger fishes are not in huge numbers too as baitfish are a food source to predators. Bigger population equals more fish which increases the odds of a hook up. So the next time someone passes it off as bait fish take it as a complement, catching fish every trip sure beats countless fishless trips going for that ONE record breaking monster.

Secondly, you go home smelling nice. No need for that last minute bait run and going home with smelly hands. Rubbers and lures dont go bad and all you need to do is to check the tides, grab your lures and tackle and off you go.

Thirdly, with the right tackle a horse mackerel can put up a really fun fight with fast burst of speeds to start the fight and diving downwards in circles while resting for its next burst of power. Think miniature mackerel fight and you will get an ideal.

Fourth, whats bad about having fun while catching some bait for your next trip out fishing?

Fifth, even though they can be in huge numbers they can be extremely picky only taking a certain lure or retrieve leaving you high and dry thinking what you did wrong. The challenge of figuring out these tiny fishes will keep you entertained.

Tackle 
Reel : Any light Shimano Size 1000 Reel
Rod: 2-6 lb line rating and 1.5 - 10 lure weight range
Line: Diameter is key, Pe 0.3 - 0.5
Leader: 6 - 10 lbs
Jig heads: 1.2- 3 grams


Having the right tackle to handle the light jig heads used is important and having such light tackle will ensure you feel every dive dash and vibrations of the fight with an Aji.


I hope this introduction has been useful and you will enjoy this new form of fishing as much as I do.