Yokohama Fishing Charters
Yokohama fishing charters work Tokyo Bay’s inshore waters, nearby rivers and canals, and the open Pacific for seabass, flounder, snapper, mackerel, tuna, and seasonal pelagics.
Top Rated Charters in Yokohama
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Yokohama, JP Fishing Guide
Yokohama sits on the western side of Tokyo Bay, giving anglers quick access to sheltered waters and easy runs out into Sagami Bay and the Pacific. Charters here range from small inshore boats specializing in light tackle seabass fishing to larger offshore vessels running tuna and pelagic trips in summer. Half-day trips typically stay inside Tokyo Bay, targeting Japanese seabass (suzuki), flounder, and black sea bream around breakwaters, piers, and bridges. Full-day trips push farther out, trolling Sagami Bay and offshore grounds for yellowtail (hamachi), bonito, mackerel, and in the warm season, tuna and mahi.
The structure of the fishery is diverse. Inside Tokyo Bay, captains work tidal rips, current seams, and man-made structure like piers, bridges, and shipping channels. The mouth of the bay and Sagami Bay beyond offer deeper reefs and current lines where yellowtail, snapper, and bonito feed. Farther offshore, boats troll the Kuroshio Current for bluefin tuna and mahi-mahi. Launch points are typically from Yokohama’s marina areas such as Yamashita Pier or Kanazawa, with quick runs into either sheltered or open water.
Seasonal fishing shifts throughout the year. Spring kicks off with flounder and sea bream inshore, with seabass feeding aggressively as water warms. Summer brings the offshore run, with yellowtail, mahi, bonito, and tuna in Sagami Bay and beyond. Fall sees some of the best seabass fishing of the year, along with strong yellowtail and mackerel action. Winter slows offshore opportunities but lights up bottom fishing in the bay, with flounder and sea bream steady through the cold months.
Techniques vary by season and species. Light tackle jigging and casting soft plastics are common for seabass around structures. Drift fishing with bait rigs produces flounder and sea bream. Offshore trips troll lures and rigged baits for tuna, bonito, and mahi, while vertical jigging and live bait are standard for yellowtail. The flexibility of fishing close in sheltered waters or pushing offshore into bluewater makes Yokohama one of Japan’s most versatile fishing bases.
Fishing Seasons in Yokohama
Spring (March–May)
Spring brings inshore life to Tokyo Bay, with flounder and sea bream feeding on warming flats and channels. Japanese seabass get aggressive around bridges and breakwaters, hitting jigs, plugs, and soft plastics. Offshore, Sagami Bay begins to show yellowtail and bonito schools. Weather is stable, making this one of the easiest times to fish both inshore and nearshore.
Summer (June–August)
Summer is offshore season. Yellowtail, mahi, and bonito school up in Sagami Bay and along the Kuroshio Current. Bluefin tuna arrive offshore, giving full-day charters trophy opportunities. Inshore, seabass remain steady, especially at night around lighted piers. Flounder action slows, but mackerel appear in schools inside Tokyo Bay, offering light tackle fun. Calm seas allow charters to run farther offshore, targeting pelagics.
Fall (September–November)
Fall is prime for Japanese seabass in Tokyo Bay. These fish school heavily around piers, seawalls, and channels, hitting jigs and plugs with consistency. Yellowtail remain strong offshore, with bonito and mackerel still common. Flounder action picks back up inside the bay, and sea bream remain a reliable target. Many charters mix inshore seabass casting with nearshore jigging for yellowtail.
Winter (December–February)
Winter cools offshore waters, pushing pelagics out, but the inshore fishery thrives. Flounder stack up in Tokyo Bay, feeding on bait along sandy channels. Sea bream bite well on bait rigs, and seabass remain steady in deep channels and around man-made structure. While fewer offshore trips run, sheltered waters stay productive, giving anglers a dependable cold-weather option.
Gamefish in Yokohama
- Japanese Seabass (Suzuki) – 2–15 lbs. Found year-round in Tokyo Bay around piers, seawalls, and bridges, best in spring and fall on jigs and plugs.
- Flounder (Hirame) – 2–10 lbs. Inshore sandy channels, best in spring and winter, targeted with bait rigs and slow jigs.
- Black Sea Bream (Kurodai) – 2–6 lbs. Found along rocky bottoms and channels, spring and winter, best on bait rigs.
- Yellowtail (Hamachi) – 5–20 lbs. Offshore in Sagami Bay in summer and fall, taken on vertical jigs and live bait.
- Mahi-Mahi – 10–25 lbs. Appear offshore in summer, caught trolling lures and rigged baits.
- Bonito – 5–15 lbs. Strong in summer, offshore and nearshore, taken trolling and casting small plugs.
- Bluefin Tuna – 50–200 lbs. Summer offshore target, hooked trolling or live baiting in the Kuroshio Current.
- Mackerel – 1–3 lbs. Schooling in summer and fall inside Tokyo Bay, taken with light tackle and small jigs.
Yokohama Fishing FAQs
Where do fishing charters in Yokohama depart from?
Most charters leave from marinas around Yamashita Pier, Kanazawa, and nearby harbors on Tokyo Bay.
What types of trips are common in Yokohama?
Half-day trips focus on seabass, flounder, and sea bream in Tokyo Bay. Full-day runs push offshore for yellowtail, bonito, tuna, and mahi.
Do I need a fishing license in Japan?
Recreational anglers do not need a personal license when fishing with a licensed captain, though regulations apply for certain species.
When is the best time to fish Yokohama?
Summer is best offshore for tuna, yellowtail, and mahi. Spring and fall are peak inshore seasons for seabass and flounder.
What techniques are common with local guides?
Light tackle jigging, casting plugs, and bait drifting are used inshore, while trolling and vertical jigging dominate offshore trips.
What species can I catch in Tokyo Bay?
Seabass, flounder, sea bream, and mackerel are the main inshore targets, with consistent year-round opportunities.
How many anglers can fish on a Yokohama charter?
Smaller boats carry 2–3 anglers inshore, while offshore charters can take 4–6 anglers comfortably.
Are night fishing trips available in Yokohama?
Yes, many captains run night trips in Tokyo Bay for seabass, which feed aggressively around lighted structures.
How far offshore do Yokohama charters run?
Most inshore trips stay inside Tokyo Bay, while offshore charters run 10–30 miles into Sagami Bay and beyond to the Kuroshio Current.