Saltwater · Summer to autumn at southern reefs and islands

Striped Jack (White Trevally)

Pseudocaranx dentex

A premium sashimi fish of clear rocky and artificial fish reefs in southern Japan. Juveniles carry dark vertical stripes, adults are plain silvery. Wild fish are scarcer than they once were and much of the market is farmed — an honest note for buyers and anglers alike. It is caught by rock float fishing and from boats over reefs.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Striped Jack (White Trevally) — Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributors, Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

Juveniles show dark vertical stripes that fade in silvery adults
Deep, compressed trevally body with a steep head profile
Thick, tough lips and a relatively small mouth
Lateral line with scutes toward the tail, as in other trevallies
Silvery blue-grey above, white below, fins often dusky yellow

Habits

Forms small schools over reef, wary and easily spooked
Feeds on small fish, squid and crustaceans
Wild fish are scarcer than in the past; much of the market is farmed
Adults lose the juvenile striping and become plain silvery
Most active in warm water from summer to autumn

Distribution

Regional coverage expanding

Where to find them

Izu Islands including Oshima, off Tokyo
Shikoku south coast reefs around Kochi
Kagoshima offshore reefs

Where they live

Rocky reefs and artificial fish reefs in clear waterIsland shores and offshore pinnaclesDeeper reef in 65-165 ft (20-50 m) from boats

How to catch them

Rock float fishing Rock fishing

Rig: Float rig with a small strong hook and live scad or sardine worked over reef from rocky points

Bait/lure: Small live scad, sardine or shrimp

Key tip: Present quietly and let the fish run — striped jack are wary and will spit a suspicious bait.

Boat fishing over fish reefs Boat

Rig: Medium jigging rod with small jigs or a live-bait rig over artificial fish reefs and pinnacles

Bait/lure: Small metal jigs or live baitfish

Key tip: Avoid long sweeping retrieves: short, natural movements over the reef work better.

Best baits & lures

Small live scad or sardineShrimpSmall metal jigs

Techniques for Striped Jack (White Trevally) →

Baseline setup

Rod: Medium rock float rod or medium jigging rod
Line: 20-30 lb braid or mono with fluorocarbon leader
Terminal: Float rigs with small strong hooks, small jigs

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), about 2-7 lb (1-3 kg); large fish to 39 in (100 cm)

On the table

Exceptional — one of Japan's most prized sashimi fish; wild fish command premium prices.

Similar species

Greater AmberjackGreater amberjack is a much larger, longer Seriola with an amber band through the eye; striped jack is a silvery trevally with juvenile striping and no such eye band

Japanese AmberjackJapanese amberjack is a large Seriola with a yellow band and tail, well over 1 m; striped jack is a silvery, small-lipped trevally, plain as an adult but smaller and reef-bound

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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