A hip guide to Okinawa. A trip that touches tradition, fashion, and nature.

If you have come all the way to Okinawa, it is only natural that you would want to enjoy the ocean to the fullest. Diving and snorkeling are great, but adults really want to relax and have fun. Fishing is the best solution for a men's trip because of the romance of the Okinawan sea!

Okinawa is rich in species of fish that are coveted by anglers. You can target dream big fish such as tuna, marlin, and GT (Giant Trevally), and the big red squid, known as the red monster, is also a popular target. It is fun for men traveling together to challenge such romantic big fish, and just catching a fish in the tropical colors typical of Okinawa is sure to raise your spirits.

The three had been invited by a friend to go fishing for horse mackerels and hairtail, and they were looking forward to fishing on this trip as well. Apparently, they are fired up to catch a big one. After getting on the boat, we let the boat run for about 40 minutes to get to the point.

The vivid blue sea is a world apart from the sea in the Kanto area, where I usually frequent. The sky is covered with thin clouds, but the view is stunning, with most of the field of vision tinted a pleasant blue. The waves are calm and the boat is rocking comfortably. I am already highly satisfied with just this and feel like I have taken off the heavy armor that I have worn without realizing it in my daily life.

We arrived at the first point. Although we would like to target large fish, we decided to start with bait fishing in order to keep a steady catch. We tried gomoku fishing, using a hook and line with squid or shrimp as bait. The depth of the water is 60 to 70 meters, and we drop to the bottom to play with fish hiding in the coral reefs.

After a while, 2BOY's rod started to respond! But then Mr. Takeuchi and Mr. Daidoji got a hit one after another! I wondered who would be the first to catch a fish, but I didn't expect it to be at the same time. All three caught a snapper.

2BOY: I thought it was a rooted fish, but it pulled strongly. It was smaller than I had imagined from the strength of the pull.

Takeuchi: I didn't want the two of them to get to me first, and I'm glad because we caught them at the same time. Next time, I want to aim for a bigger size.

Daidoji Temple: When two of them hit, this one responded too. It was interesting because I had the feeling that they were poking the bait with their tongs.

Feeling a positive response to their strong start, the three anglers dropped their hooks to the bottom again, hoping to lure in another fish. Takeuchi-san was the next to get a hit. When he thought he had caught another snapper, 2BOY caught a double snapper.

I'm happy to have caught fish, but I want to catch ...... different species, so I move on to a new point. The first to respond at the new point was 2BOY. I caught an old guy with a beard on his lower jaw!

2BOY: The colors are so vivid that they are typical of Okinawa. When I came up to the surface, I was so excited to see red fish in the blue sea.

Then, Mr. Takeuchi's rod twitched more loudly than ever, and Mr. Daidoji and 2BOY rushed to Mr. Takeuchi without a second thought. What he caught was a spectacled hagfish. This fish lives in coral reefs and jumps on bait even though it is not called for. Mr. Daidoji and 2BOY also caught a spectacled hagfish.

Mr. Daidoji and 2BOY changed their mind and tried lures. They tried targeting migrating bluefish.

Daidoji Temple: I have only been bait fishing so far, so this is my first time using a lure. It feels great just to cast in this environment.

2BOY: This is my first time to use a lure. It's fun when I can throw it well, and I feel like I can catch fish with it.

However, there was no response to the lure, so they returned to bait fishing. A little later, Mr. Daidoji was hit by a meichi-daiji.

Three anglers fishing well. Mr. Takeuchi caught a beautifully patterned yellow-spotted snapper.

Here is 2BOY who also caught a beautiful aye-ayeye shrimp with a bright pattern.

The fish, which cannot be caught in the Kanto area, are coming on board one after another in tropical colors. When it was almost time to return to port, Mr. Takeuchi caught the biggest fish of the day.

This is a high-class azahata, also known as jisei meibai in Okinawa. It is a magnificent size! And so it was time to call it a day, and all three of us enjoyed the Okinawan sea.

Takeuchi: I am happy to have caught one at the end of the day that I am satisfied with! I was expecting to catch a bigger one, but oh well, I'm satisfied. The scenery was pleasant and refreshing.

2BOY: Too bad I didn't catch any big ones. I would like to come back to Okinawa to fish again with a vengeance. In a good way, I feel like I left something undone. I had a lot of fun, and I feel equally frustrated.

Daidoji Temple: It was my first time to fish in Okinawa and I enjoyed fishing in this beautiful scenery. I was able to catch some unique Okinawan fish that you don't see in the Kanto area, and I am glad that I was able to experience the depth of fishing once again.