Barred Knifejaw in Japan

Crushes shellfish with fused beak-like teeth. A specialist rock-fishing target.

The fish

Japanese: イシダイ · ishidai
Scientific name: Oplegnathus fasciatus
Typical size: 30–60 cm (12–24 in)
Water: Saltwater

Across the year

The best month at any of the 3 places we have checked. Each place has its own window, and the season elsewhere in Japan may differ.

Where we have checked it

These are examples, not a complete list. Barred Knifejaw is caught far more widely in Japan than the 3 waters below. We list a place only once we have worked out which rules apply there, so the absence of a water means we have not checked it — not that the fish is missing.

Izu PeninsulaShizuoka · SaltwaterJune, July, August and September are the prime months.
Kushimoto & southern KiiWakayama · SaltwaterJune, July, August and September are the prime months.
Goto IslandsNagasaki · SaltwaterJune, July, August and September are the prime months.