Yamashita Egi-Oh K: Japan’s Best-Known Squid Jig and How to Choose Colours

If you have looked at squid fishing in Japan, you have seen the name: Yamashita’s Egi-Oh (“King of Egi”) is the best-known squid jig in the country, and the Egi-Oh K is the version most anglers carry. Popular colours sell out as soon as they hit the shelves.

Egi are the shrimp-shaped lures used for eging – casting for squid, mainly bigfin reef squid (aori-ika). This guide covers what makes the Egi-Oh K different, and how to choose colours instead of just throwing every one in the box.

What the Egi-Oh K is for

The K is designed for low-activity and pressured squid. A wary squid is put off by too much movement. The K is built to dart, but not to over-dart, and to fall slowly and steadily – giving the squid a long, calm moment to grab it. It is also designed to be less affected by wind and waves.

How it is built

• Hydro Fin – fins that stabilise the fall and reduce wobble caused by current, wind and waves.
• Hydro Body – the area behind the sinker is flat, which makes the fins work better and steadies the dart.
• Hydro Sinker – shaped so the jig falls straight.
• Combi Fine Hook – a jig hook designed to convert more touches into hooked squid.

Sizes

Egi are sized in Japanese gō numbers. Bigger numbers mean longer, heavier jigs.

The standard model sinks at roughly 3 seconds per metre in the 3.0-4.0 sizes. Slower and faster-sinking versions exist for shallow and deep water.

Choosing colours

Yamashita designs each colour with a situation in mind. Knowing the intention saves you from casting through the whole box.

Some colours also have a UV-reactive (keimura) eye or a glow edge for extra appeal in low light.

How it fished

• The fall is the selling point. It is very stable, and the action really is “not too much” – you can see why squid are less suspicious of it.
• Colour pairs work. I fish mostly in daylight in autumn, and switching between Oreno Olive and a classic gold horse mackerel shows the strengths of each.
• Ultramarine is essential in clear water. On the Japan Sea side, I would not go without it.

A basic eging retrieve

1. Cast and let the jig sink to the bottom (count it down).
2. Two or three sharp upward jerks to make it dart.
3. Let it fall on a slightly slack line – this is when squid grab it.
4. Watch the line: a sudden tightening or movement on the fall is a bite. Set the hook firmly.

Season

Autumn is the numbers season, with many small squid. Spring is when the big ones – over a kilogram – come in to spawn. The Egi-Oh K works from autumn right through to spring.

Verdict

The Egi-Oh K’s reputation is earned: a very stable fall, a controlled dart, and a colour range designed around real conditions. If you are going to try squid fishing in Japan, start with a 3.0 and a 3.5, one natural colour and one bright one.

Read next

• How to set your drag
• Japanese PE line sizes and leader pairings
• Daiwa 26 Freams
• Water temperature for fishing
• Fishing the dawn window
• Major Craft 24 Solpara eging rods

MINAGIMAN

JAPAN ANGLER

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Born in 1994. Originally from Hyogo Prefecture, I moved to Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture in search of the sea. I am an Enshunada surf angler who enjoys surf fishing. I am also active on YouTube, and my fishing grounds range from Irago to Iwata.