Saltwater · Summer peak June-September in warm surface water
Green Needlefish
Strongylura anastomella
The long-jawed surface predator of summer bays — 동갈치. It cruises in schools near the surface off south-coast harbours, skitters across the water and slashes at small lures. Care on board: the beak is sharp and the fish leaps — never hold a live specimen near face height. The green bones are harmless but characteristic.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Very long, needle-like body with a long, toothed beak
- Both upper and lower jaws extended — a true needlefish, not a halfbeak
- Dorsal and anal fins set far back, opposite each other
- Greenish-silvery colour; the bones are green
- Forked tail with the lower lobe larger
Habits
- A surface predator cruising in loose schools
- Leaps and skitters across the water when startled
- Green bones — harmless but visible in the flesh
- Beak teeth tear at small lures; strike instantly
- A summer visitor; vanishes with cold water
Distribution
Regional coverage expanding
Where to find them
- Yeosu harbour, south coast
- Tongyeong piers
- Geoje shallow bays
Where they live
How to catch them
Surface casting at piers Shore
Rig: Light spinning rig with tiny minnow lures retrieved slowly along harbour piers
Bait/lure: Tiny minnow lures
Key tip: Strike the instant it slashes — the beak holds lures only briefly. Keep the net ready as it leaps wildly.
Freelining over seagrass Shore
Rig: Freelined drift with small live shrimp over shallow seagrass beds from piers
Bait/lure: Small live shrimp
Key tip: Let the shrimp drift naturally at the surface; needlefish look up and attack silhouettes.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Light 7-8 ft spinning rod
- Line: 6-8 lb monofilament
- Terminal: Tiny hooks size 10-12 or small surface lures; thin fluorocarbon leader
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 16-24 in (40-60 cm); large fish about 31 in (80 cm)
On the table
Good but the green bones put some people off; eaten grilled in Korea.
Similar species
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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