Saltwater · Hokkaido coasts; best in colder months

Barfin Flounder

Verasper moseri

Hokkaido's premium flounder, sold under the trade name 'king flounder'. Dark vertical bars on the eyed side are the identification key. As with olive flounder, many of the fish caught today are hatchery-released, the species being a major Hokkaido stocking target. It is a right-eyed flatfish of cold northern water.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

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Barfin Flounder — Photo: The fur seals and fur-seal islands of the North Pacific Ocean. v.3.Washington,Govt. Print. Off.,1898-99, Public domain — Wikimedia Commons (Historical scientific illustration — the only clear Commons image of this species.)

Identifying features

Both eyes on the right side; eyed side dark brown
Several dark vertical bars across the eyed side and fins
Right-eyed flatfish, unlike the left-eyed olive flounder
Small mouth for its size, without the olive flounder's fang-like teeth
Thick, muscular body with a rough, ctenoid-scaled eyed side

Habits

Cold-water fish of Hokkaido, most active in colder months
Lies on sand-gravel, feeding on sand lance, shrimp and small fish
Many caught fish are hatchery-released and may carry release marks
Its rarer relative, the spotted halibut (Verasper variegatus), shares the genus but not this page
Moves slightly deeper in the warmest months

Distribution

Regional coverage expanding

Where to find them

Hidaka coast, Pacific side of Hokkaido
Kushiro and Tokachi coast surf and boat grounds
Rumoi coast on the Sea of Japan side

Where they live

Cold-water sand and gravel bottoms off Hokkaido in 30-130 ft (10-40 m)Sand patches beside reefs off Pacific Hokkaido headlandsHarbour mouths and surf edges on the Sea of Japan side in winter

How to catch them

Boat fishing over cold-water sand Boat

Rig: Two-hook flounder rig with a 3-5 oz sinker drifted or anchored over sand-gravel

Bait/lure: Marine worms or sand lance

Key tip: Fish the edges of sand patches beside reef; bites in cold water can be slow and deliberate.

Surf and harbour casting in Hokkaido Shore

Rig: Casting rig with worms or sand lance thrown from surf beaches and harbour mouths

Bait/lure: Marine worms

Key tip: Cast beyond the breakers and retrieve very slowly, keeping the bait on the sand.

Best baits & lures

Marine worms (isome)Sand lanceSmall shrimp

Techniques for Barfin Flounder →

Baseline setup

Rod: Medium 8-10 ft boat or surf rod
Line: 20-30 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader
Terminal: Two-hook flounder rigs, 3-5 oz sinkers, size 1-2/0 hooks

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

9' 5-weight fly rod outfit

≈ US$180-260

Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.

Flies · Budget

Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)

≈ US$25-40

Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.

Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.

Typical size

Common 14-20 in (35-50 cm); large fish to 28 in (70 cm) or more

On the table

Excellent — a premium, high-priced table fish in Hokkaido, prized for firm sweet flesh.

Similar species

Olive FlounderOlive flounder is left-eyed, unbarred and big-mouthed; barfin is right-eyed with dark vertical bars across body and fins

Marbled SoleMarbled sole is a small warm-temperate sole of sand-mud; barfin is a large cold-water Hokkaido flounder with bold bars

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

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