Japanese Anchovy

About this species

A tiny, silver-striped baitfish that is the most heavily harvested species in Korean waters, dried by the tonne. It swarms in vast schools filter-feeding on plankton near the surface. Rarely a rod target, it is the key prey that draws in nearly every larger gamefish.

Season

Depth

0 – 30 m

Habitat Spots

Fishing Methods

Bait & Rig

Micro sabiki rigs with tiny hooks or cast nets; as live bait for larger predators they are invaluable, but rarely targeted individually on rod and line.

Edibility & Taste

Dried and simmered for Korean broth (myeolchi-yuksu) or eaten as crispy fried snacks; fresh anchovies are delicious lightly salted and pan-fried.

Similar Species

Japanese anchovy has a greatly oversized mouth extending well past the eye and a silver side stripe; much smaller than sardines and lacks body spots.

Record Weight

0.05 kg