Saltwater · Spring to autumn around offshore reefs and remote islands; summer peak

Hiramasa

Seriola aureovittata

The 'king of rocky-shore game fish'. The old Seriola lalandi sensu lato was split (Martinez-Takeshita et al. 2015): the NW Pacific fish is Seriola aureovittata, the NE Pacific fish is S. dorsalis (this guide's california-yellowtail), and true S. lalandi is Southern Hemisphere only. It is not S. rivoliana. From the rocks it is hunted with topwater pencil lures, from boats by jigging.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Hiramasa — Photo: Temminck and Schlegel, Public domain — Wikimedia Commons (Historical scientific illustration — the only clear Commons image of this species.)

Identifying features

Clear yellow lateral band along a compressed, elongated body
Rounded rear corner of the upper jaw — a key separation from buri
Pectoral fin shorter than the pelvic fin
Dark green-blue above, silvery white below, yellow tail
Body more compressed and head profile sharper than Japanese amberjack

Habits

Warm-water Seriola of offshore reefs, most active spring to autumn
Hunts baitfish high in the water column and at the surface
Often in small schools; very large fish more solitary
Explosive surface striker and extremely strong first runner
Less cold-tolerant than buri, retreating from northern water in winter

Distribution

Regional coverage expanding

Where to find them

Danjo Islands and Goto Islands, Nagasaki — classic rock-fishing grounds
Hachijo-jima and the Izu Islands, Tokyo
Oki Islands offshore reefs, Shimane

Where they live

Offshore reefs and pinnacles around remote islandsRocky headlands with strong current and deep water close inCurrent lines over 65-200 ft (20-60 m) near island shores

How to catch them

Topwater casting from the rocks Rock fishing

Rig: Heavy shore-game rod, large pencil lures worked over deep water off rocky headlands and island reefs

Bait/lure: Large topwater pencil lures

Key tip: Work the lure with long sweeps and be braced for explosive surface strikes — hold hard pressure on the first run.

Boat jigging over island reefs Boat

Rig: Jigging rod with 150-250 g jigs over reef pinnacles from a charter boat, around islands

Bait/lure: Metal jigs or live baitfish

Key tip: Fish high in the water column — hiramasa rise readily to a fast-worked jig.

Best baits & lures

Metal jigsTopwater pencil luresLive scad or sardine

Techniques for Hiramasa →

Baseline setup

Rod: Heavy 10-11 ft rock shore-game rod or heavy jigging rod
Line: 50-80 lb braid with 80-100 lb leader for rock fishing
Terminal: Large pencil lures, 150-250 g jigs, strong 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 24-39 in (60-100 cm), about 7-20 lb (3-9 kg); large fish to 59 in (150 cm) and over 66 lb (30 kg)

On the table

Excellent — firm, clean flesh highly prized as sashimi, often rated above buri for summer fish.

Similar species

Japanese AmberjackBuri has a squarer rear upper-jaw corner, a less clear band and a pectoral fin about as long as the pelvic; hiramasa is more compressed with a clearer yellow band and rounded jaw corner

California YellowtailCalifornia yellowtail is Seriola dorsalis of the NE Pacific; hiramasa is S. aureovittata of the NW Pacific — separate species after the 2015 split, not the same 'lalandi'

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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