Genkai Strait Casting Fishing Trip Aiming to Break My Personal Record

Article Contributor
Rin Kobayashi (Shimano Support Angler)
Resides in Saga Prefecture. Using the fish-rich Genkai Strait as his home field, he pursues memorable encounters with fish through both offshore and shore fishing. He is well-versed in a wide range of fishing styles, from big game to light game, and shares the charm and enjoyment of fishing with many people.

Targeting Large Fish in the Challenging Spring Genkai Strait

An offshore casting fishing trip targeting yellowtail amberjack in the spring Genkai Strait. This time, we boarded the charter boat “Sunrise” in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Under the guidance of renowned captain Tadashi Tanaka, we spent three days relentlessly pursuing yellowtail amberjack.
As is the case every year, spring is a season that I find somewhat challenging. However, it is also a time when large yellowtail amberjack can be targeted, so I visit every year with the goal of breaking my personal record.
On the first day of the trip, the southwest wind was blowing at 12–13 m/s from early morning, creating rough seas. The first spot had a good atmosphere, so we started casting. In spring, yellowtail often feed on small baitfish, but since it was the first spot of the morning and the tide was good, I judged that there was a possibility of large yellowtail biting, so I chose the “Betchuu Hiramasa 220F Flash Boost,” which has a proven track record for large yellowtail. However, despite careful enticement, unfortunately there was no response at the first spot, so we had to move to a different location.

Betchuu Hiramasa 220F Flash Boost. A model equipped with Flash Boost, based on the Betchuu Hiramasa 220F, which has achieved many results in yellowtail casting. The Flash Boost has been re-adjusted to create a more complex slalom action. A reliable pencil with a proven track record.https://fish.shimano.com/ja-JP/product/lure/offshorecasting/topwater/a155f00000c6dcpqav.html

At the second spot, since no fish were caught with the 220mm size at the first spot, and the captain mentioned that the bait size was around 20cm, we switched to the Betchuu Hiramasa 190F Flash Boost, which can be cast even with an 8-weight tackle. When the lure reached the current’s eddy, a violent bite occurred, sending a water column into the air. Since the water depth was considerable, I focused on a calm and careful fight, successfully landing a fine-sized amberjack.

Betchuu Hiramasa 190F Flash Boost. This model is based on the Hirama 190F, which has a proven track record for yellowtail, but with a rear-weighted design and increased weight. By readjusting the posture during the stay phase, dive errors are reduced, and the complex slalom action effectively stimulates the target, making it a high-performance model.
https://fish.shimano.com/ja-JP/product/lure/offshorecasting/topwater/a155f00000cbga6qaf.html

Attract with different appeal.
Screw Drive 180F & ARMA JOINT 220F

At points with strong tidal waves, I selected the Screw Drive 180F, released by Shimano in 2025, for casting. The Screw Drive has excellent water interaction, and I chose it based on the idea that it has higher appeal than a diving pencil at points with strong tidal waves, as well as the fact that it does not have the misdive issues of a diving pencil. At the spot with the strongest tidal waves, I got a bite while simply reeling in. The fish that hit was a well-rounded, high-quality yellowtail typical of spring.
The Screw Drive 180F can handle a variety of actions, such as short jerks and long jerks, but I mainly use it for “just reeling.” It bites the water firmly and strongly attracts fish with sound and bubbles, so I trust this method of use. In rough seas, where diving pencils are prone to misdives, I think this is a very useful lure. Additionally, it is easy to operate, so I recommend it for beginners.

By reeling, the propeller fin on the tail rotates, producing a powerful sound that neither a popper nor a pencil can match, while simultaneously signaling its presence with bubbles. It has a high success rate for targets like yellowtail amberjack, GT, and tuna.
https://fish.shimano.com/ja-JP/product/lure/offshorecasting/topwater/a155f00000eokbzqap.html

We repositioned the boat at the same spot and changed lures. The next lure we chose was the Ocea ARMA JOINT 220F, released by Shimano in 2025. Targeting the area, we cast the lure, and as soon as it reached the spot, there was a bite. We successfully caught a fine yellowtail over 10 kg. In the next drift, I added an 8kg-class fish using the ARMA JOINT 220F, leading to consecutive hits.
The ARMA JOINT 220F is effective even with a standard jerk, but I prefer a slightly faster long jerk, moving it along the water surface. I feel this action was key to the hit this time. I also think customizing it by adding a weight to sink it underwater and simply reeling it in could be interesting.

A model equipped with Shimano’s ARMA Boost mechanism, developed to overcome the short casting distance, a drawback of jointed baits. The Arm Joint series started with models targeting sea bass, black bass, and flounder, but at the same time, testing was underway for this SW big game model, the ‘ARMA JOINT 220F ARMA Boost/Flash Boost.’ Equipped with performance that ensures sufficient casting distance even in offshore conditions, it attracts fish with its seductive swimming action. It can entice fish with waves and appeal different from those of pencils and poppers.
https://fish.shimano.com/ja-JP/product/lure/offshorecasting/topwater/a155f00000eokbiqap.html

On the first day of the fishing trip, during the evening twilight, Captain Tadashi advised, “This is a spot where large fish are likely to appear, so choose your tackle carefully.” I selected a 10-pound tackle and set the Dive Flat 240F as the lure, then began casting. In areas with a high likelihood of large fish, I often select the Wild Response 240F, but due to the high waves, I chose the Dive Flat for its ability to dive deeply, handle water well, and minimize misdives. Its strong flash also makes it easier for yellowtail amberjack to spot in rough conditions.

On the third cast, as the lure approached an area with intense tidal waves, the strongest bite of the day occurred. Despite the drag being almost fully tightened, the overwhelming power easily pulled out the line. Due to the shallow water depth, the risk of snagging on the bottom crossed my mind, but I managed to stop it. I continued the fight cautiously and successfully landed the fish. The yellowtail amberjack that came up weighed 25 kg, breaking my personal record.
On the first day, I successfully caught six yellowtail amberjack, making for an excellent start.

Day 2 of the calm sea fishing trip

On the second day, there was no wind from the morning, and the sea was completely calm. In such conditions, yellowtail amberjack are less likely to surface, so I braced myself for a challenging day.
At the shallow point in the early morning when it was still dark, I sensed the presence of a large fish, so I set up a 10-pound tackle with a Dive Flat 240F and cast it out. As the lure entered a spot with tidal waves, a powerful bite occurred from underwater. I capitalized on the first opportunity and caught a fine yellowtail amberjack nearing 10 kg right at the start of the morning.

Dive Flat 240F. Features a large flat surface on the body side, flashing brightly to attract attention over a wide area. It attracts fish with a rolling action during long jerks and also entices them with a fluttering roll during steady retrieves.

After that, I ran and gun several spots, but there was no response from the fish, and the tough conditions continued. At the midday tide change, I entered a spot I hadn’t tried yet and set up the Head Dip 175F on a 6-weight tackle to explore. The sea was calm, so I selected the Shimano Head Dip 175F, which has a large action and can be clearly seen even in deep water, with good water contact, to make the fish notice the lure. The fact that it can achieve good casting distance even at short distances was also a reason for selection.

Although the sea was calm, the tide was flowing steadily. To avoid being detected by the fish and to trigger their interest, I added a slightly faster action with short jerks. A yellowtail amberjack chased the lure, showing its dorsal fin on the surface, and then bit! I successfully caught a spring-like, well-fed yellowtail amberjack.
I continued casting until sunset, but no additional bites were obtained, and the fishing for the day came to an end.

With sufficient casting distance, the lure swims vigorously just below the surface. Both long and short jerks allow the lure to swim and attract fish effectively. The lineup includes the Flash Boost model and the Jet Boost model.
https://fish.shimano.com/ja-JP/product/lure/offshorecasting/topwater/a155f00000c5cscqaf_p.html

The final day of the third day of fishing

On this day, a southwesterly wind of about 10 m/s was blowing from early morning. In the morning, I went to the same shallow point as the previous day and chose a PE 10 tackle with a Dive Flat 240F lure. Then, from the first cast, a fish bit while showing its dorsal fin in a place with strong tidal waves. Since it was a shallow point, I fought carefully and managed to bring it under the boat. However, just before landing, it was attacked by a shark, and although I had brought it to a visible position, unfortunately, I couldn’t catch it. However, I continued casting without giving up, and once again, I got a strong bite. This time, I successfully landed it. I caught a large yellowtail over 15 kg.

After that, I explored various spots and managed to get several bites, but none resulted in a hit, and the end of the fishing trip was approaching. However, at the last spot of the fishing trip, I got a strong bite. Since the water depth was about 30 meters, I started the fight calmly. I avoided the boat’s bottom while continuing to fight, releasing line from the drag that was set tightly. However, suddenly, it showed a strong run, and I couldn’t stop it, resulting in a line break due to abrasion. It was a painful mistake at the end of the fishing trip. Nevertheless, over the three-day trip, I caught many yellowtail amberjacks, with the largest weighing 25 kg. While it was disappointing to lose the fish, it was a satisfying fishing trip. The challenges continue. Finally, I would like to introduce the tackle used during this fishing trip. I hope it will be of reference to you.

Tackle ①
Rod: Shimano 25 Grappler Type C S82XH
Reel: Shimano 20 Stella SW 18000HG
Line: Shimano Ocea 8 10-pound
Leader: Shimano Ocea Nylon Casting Leader 140lb
Lure: Shimano Dive Flat 240F
Hook: Gamakatsu GT Recorder 4/0

Tackle ②
Rod: Shimano 25 Ocea Plagger Limited S88H
Reel: Shimano 19 Stella SW 14000XG
Line: Shimano Ocea 17+ 8 lb
Leader: Shimano Ocea Nylon Casting Leader 140 lb
Lure ①: Shimano Screw Drive 180F
Lure ②: Shimano Ocea ARMA JOINT 220F
Lure ③: Shimano Betchuu Hiramasa 190F Flash Boost
Hook: Gamakatsu Treble SP -XH 4/0
Hook: Gamakatsu GT Recorder 4/0

Tackle ③
Rod: Shimano 25 Ocea Plagger Limited S88MH
Reel: Shimano 21 Twin Power SW 14000XG
Line: Shimano Ocea 17+ 6
Leader: Shimano Ocea Nylon Casting Leader 120lb
Lure: Shimano Head Dip 175F
Hook: Gamakatsu Treble SP -XH 4/0

Product Information: Shimano　https://fish.shimano.com/ja-JP

Text: Kobayashi Rin
Compiled by: Anglers Time Editorial Department