How to Set Your Drag for Shore Lure Fishing (and Why One Third Is the Rule)
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Minagiman's Fishing Adventures in Japan
Shimizu Port “Tsuri Festa” on 15 November 2026: A Closed Quay at Hinode Wharf Opens for One Day
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Good news for anglers in Shizuoka: at Hinode Wharf in Shimizu Port, a quay that is normally closed to the public opens for one day at a time for the Tsuri Festa (Fishing Festa). The next opening is planned for Sunday 15 November 2026. At the October opening, people caught black sea bream, red sea bream, scorpionfish, horse mackerel and more.
Hinode Wharf is normally off-limits for port security reasons. A few times a year, part of it is opened specially as a fishing spot. The event is organised by the Shizuoka branch of the Japan Sport Fishing Foundation, co-hosted by the Suruga Bay Sea Protection Society and Shizuoka City, and is family-friendly.
This article is based on Shizuoka City’s official page and reporting in the trade paper Tsurigu Shimbun (as of October 2026). Always check Shizuoka City’s official page for the latest information and whether the event is going ahead.
2026 dates
| Date | Time | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 5 July | 8:00–15:00 | Held |
| Saturday 10 October | 8:00–15:00 | Held (scorpionfish fry were released) |
| Sunday 15 November | 8:00–15:00 | Planned |
What was caught in October
| Fish | Notes |
|---|---|
| Black sea bream (kurodai) | Including some good-sized fish |
| Largescale blackfish (mejina) | Along the quay wall |
| Red sea bream (madai) | A chance even inside the port |
| Scorpionfish (kasago) | Right at your feet along the wall |
| Japanese whiting (kisu) | On light casting rigs |
| Horse mackerel and sardine | On sabiki rigs |
On the same day, families and other participants released 10,000 young scorpionfish into Shimizu Port, combining fishing with work to protect local fish stocks.
Rules
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Entry | Free |
| Capacity | About 100 people (entry closes when full) |
| Life jacket | Required (free loans available) |
| Casting | No long-distance casting |
| Rubbish | There are no bins, so take everything home |
| Children | Must be accompanied by a guardian |
| Bring | Your health insurance card (or ID) |
| Other | Anyone ignoring staff instructions or acting dangerously may be asked to leave |
The most important rule is that life jackets are compulsory. You can borrow one for free, but bringing your own is better.
Rental tackle and bait
| Rental | Price |
|---|---|
| Sabiki fishing set | ¥2,000 |
| Light casting set | ¥1,000 |
You can join without your own tackle. Note that bait is not sold on its own, so bring bait if you are using your own gear.
When it is cancelled
| When | Cancellation criteria |
|---|---|
| Before the event | A tsunami advisory or warning, or a Nankai Trough earthquake extra information alert |
| During | Shaking of seismic intensity 4 or above, or strong enough that you cannot stand; a tsunami advisory |
| Wind | Average wind speed over 10 m/s, or forecast to exceed it |
| Waves | Wave advisories or warnings, or waves of 0.5 m or more washing over the quay |
| Rain and lightning | Heavy rain, flood or storm warnings; thunder advisories or thunder heard (stop fishing and take shelter) |
Check Shizuoka City’s official page the day before and on the day. November often brings strong north-westerly winds, so keep an eye on the forecast. If it is cancelled, never fish in nearby restricted areas instead.
Parking and access
There is no dedicated car park, and parking on the roads inside the wharf area is not allowed. Use public transport or a paid car park such as the prefectural Hinode car park (Marine Parking).
Suggested methods and gear
| Method | Target | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Sabiki | Horse mackerel, sardine | The family favourite. Just drop it at your feet |
| Light casting | Japanese whiting | Long casts are not allowed, so cast gently |
| Wall fishing (hechi / otoshikomi) | Black sea bream, blackfish | Drop the rig along the quay wall |
| Burakuri / hole fishing | Scorpionfish | Search the base of the wall at your feet |
- Life jacket (or borrow one)
- Health insurance card or ID
- Tackle and bait (bait is not sold on its own)
- Rubbish bags
- Cooler and ice
- Hat, warm clothes and drinks (November mornings and evenings are cold)
- Fish grip and pliers
- A landing net: the quay is high above the water
A typical day for first-timers
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| 7:00–8:00 | Arrive early, as capacity is about 100. Put on your life jacket |
| 8:00 | Opening. Follow staff to your fishing spot |
| Morning | Fish the morning with sabiki or light casting, adjusting to the tide |
| Midday | Drink, rest and warm up. It gets cold even on sunny November days |
| Until 15:00 | Finish, pack up your rubbish and leave your spot clean |
The easiest start is sabiki for horse mackerel and sardine. Once you are comfortable, try a burakuri rig at the base of the wall for scorpionfish, or a light cast for whiting. Keep small children well back from the edge of the quay.
Taking fish home
Chill horse mackerel, sardine and sea bream on ice straight away. If you plan to eat them raw, read up on Anisakis first.
My take
Across Japan, more and more fishing spots are being closed off. Local governments and angling groups working together to open a site safely under clear rules is very important. If everyone follows the rules, takes their rubbish home and fishes safely, it helps make the next opening, and openings elsewhere, possible. If you are in Shizuoka on 15 November, it is a great family day out.
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ABOUT ME
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.
