Saltwater · Autumn to winter best, esp. for liver; caught most of the year
Thread-sail Filefish
Stephanolepis cirrhifer
The famous 'bait thief' duel of Japanese fishing: tiny hooks, dedicated rigs and precise striking against a fish that steals bait unnoticed, from piers and boats. Its rough skin was once dried and used as a grater. In winter its liver is considered a delicacy.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Rough, sandpapery skin — historically dried and used as a grater
- Small, beak-like mouth at the end of a pointed snout
- First dorsal fin is a single tall, rough spine over the eye area
- Grey-brown to olive body, often mottled, with thick leathery skin
- Deep, compressed filefish body that swims with rippling dorsal and anal fins
Habits
- Notorious bait thief, nibbling baits off hooks with its small mouth
- Feeds on crustaceans, shellfish, worms and algae
- Hovers head-down over bottom, picking at food items
- Autumn to winter fish fatten and the liver grows rich
- Its relative the marbled filefish (umazurahagi) shares the same piers and rigs and is told apart by its smoother, bluer-toned skin
Distribution
Regional coverage expanding
Where to find them
- Tokyo Bay piers and boat grounds, Chiba and Kanagawa
- Seto Inland Sea boat grounds around Hiroshima and Okayama
- Miura Peninsula piers and boat grounds, Kanagawa
Where they live
How to catch them
Pier filefish with fine rigs Shore
Rig: Dedicated filefish rig with two to three size 8-12 small hooks above a small sinker, lowered from piers or seawalls
Bait/lure: Small asari clam or shrimp pieces
Key tip: Use tiny baits and keep gently lifting — strike at the first weight or tremble; bites are almost invisible.
Boat filefish over mixed bottom Boat
Rig: Filefish rig from a charter boat over sand-mud near reef, line kept taut and rod in hand
Bait/lure: Filefish bait mix or clam pieces
Key tip: Never set the rod down; the thief empties hooks in seconds and success depends on the instant strike.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Light dedicated filefish rod or light spinning rod
- Line: Light braid or mono with fine leader
- Terminal: Filefish rigs with size 8-12 small hooks, small sinkers
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 6-10 in (15-25 cm), under 1 lb (0.5 kg); large fish to 12 in (30 cm)
On the table
Excellent in season — firm white flesh, and the winter liver is a celebrated delicacy eaten with the sashimi.
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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