Japan is an amazing place to visit and the southernmost tip of the country is where you will find the Okinawa Islands, home to some incredible scenery, great fishing opportunities and home to a renowned method of achieving the perfect catch.

Okinawa consists of some 160 islands of varying size, dotted around a vast ocean. With some many rare species of plants and animals in the area, you will be spoilt for choice between perfecting your fishing skills and sightseeing.

If you’re a seasoned fisherman, you’ve probably heard of slow pitch jigging. But, you might not be all that familiar with what it is, or how it works. Here are some of the best tips, tools, and techniques so you can become a pro in no time.

Take Your Time

The Japanese and Australian anglers who have been doing this for a while have perfected this style of fishing, called “slow-pitch jigging.” The technique is a relaxed one and also very calculated approach to fishing. It’s completely different from speed jigging for amberjack, yellowtail, and tuna fishing.

Even so, it’s very effective for these species. And, you can use it to catch cobia, African pompano, mahi, mackerels, and most kinds of bottom feeders.

Slow pitching does require entirely different technique, however, and you need a new set of offshore fishing gear. You don’t need to work up a sweat, either. Instead of mimicking a fish, you mimic a wounded bait that’s on its last legs. Some fish really love it – especially grouper.

How It Works

Most people who have fished offshore have probably unintentionally used a variation of this technique, according to some experts. The difference between this style of fishing and others is that you’re not eliciting a reaction bite. Instead, there’s very little movement on your end.

You’re not doing anything, really. The action is almost entirely in the rod, not the fisherman. Instead of dropping and ripping the metal jig, your keep your jig in the same depths where the fish are at. After you drop in your jig the first time, you turn the handle and load the soft tip of the rod. The tip snaps the jig up, and then it free-falls in the strike zone. Keep making quarter turns, and get a rhythm going. This “hypnotizes” the fish, and makes them think they are snapping up wounded bait.

Because of the way the method works, you end up getting a bite on the way down. The rod remains still, and the winding loads and unloads the rod.

When To Try It

You should use a slow-pitch jigging when there’s not much current. In waters between 140 and 250 feet work best. When there are heavy currents, you need to speed jig with knife jigs. Otherwise, give slow-pitch jigging a try.

The Gear

You do need special gear for this. And, Japanese markets are way ahead of the U.S. in this respect. So, expect to pay for imports if you want the very best stuff. International jig makers like Daiwa, BlueBlue, Seven Seas, Seafloor, and Control, offer lots of choices. If you live in the U.S., you can buy these online. And, while some retailers might stock the necessary hardware, you’re best bet is to shop online.

Make sure your rod is at least 6-7 feet long and has a sensitive tip. Use a 30 to 50 pound braid and wind-on leaders. It doesn’t matter whether you build your own or buy premade rigs. What matters is you get the right materials, line, and length to make this method work.

Japan and the Okinawa Island has so much to offer, and you might even be able to find the right gear you are looking while you are there, or at least get some great tips.

Rhys Francis is a travel photographer that also loves fishing. He is astounded by all the different fishing techniques he picks up from the different cultures he meets on his travels. He enjoys sharing his knowledge, particularly in a day when youngsters prefer fighting games to fishing.