The baits and the technical side of Otoshikomi

Otoshikomi is a method that is great for structure type fishing. Basically it's dropping small baits with light/medium test lines and small hooks along a structure of some sort. This method is great because it can be incorporated in your own country or slightly manipulated to match your own needs. A good presentation is what makes this game more like an art form than actually fishing. 8-)
 
In Japan there are many kinds of places that suite the otoshikomi fishermen with such places like surf breakers, tetras, concrete blocks, rocky points or even from boats. What is so applealing about this method is it's simplicity and effectiveness of catching the difficult chinu or ishidai. They are a fish that likes to prey on crustations, shrimps, worms and even small fish. So understanding where they lie and what they target is the key to this kind of fishing and landing that trophy fish.

Lets start off with the baits:
Baits of choice are black mussels, various crabs, live shrimps, barnacles, sea urchin and sea worms. For mussels larger hooks are used to conceal the hook within the bait. Letting your bait travel along the structure you are fishing will certainly entice a fish or two. With crabs the hook is placed in the under section once again concealing the hook within. Live shrimps are one my favorites because you are sure to catch any fish that enjoys a shrimp. Bites are quick and vicious, expect to catch sea bass along with rock cods when using this highly effective bait. Barnacles are not something I've used much but from time to time you do see them being used. Simply place the hook through the main cavity and let the hook slightly come out. With sea urchin you use pliers to remove all the pointy needles and the hook is placed under the belly of the urchin. This bait is best fished for ishidai. Last but not least worms, I'm sure you guys are familiar with this bait and the most common way is to just leave the worm nice and long with the hook going through the head to about half of the body.

Here are some popular methods for baiting:

The hanging split shot

The basic split shot gives you just the right amount of weight to sink your baits.

A split shot placed half way on the hook.

Lead weight wraps are great for mussels

Various ways to bait your crabs.

Next are weights:
For weights there are really two types, ones that attach to your line and some that are for going around the shank of a hook. Depending on the depth and the current that is below, you'll have to make it so that the bait goes straight down with out shooting too far away from where you are. When you first attach a weight do a test run and see how fast or slow the bait went down. Remember you want it to go down slowly and not too fast, we want the fish to see it as it's traveling towards that hungry friend of ours.

Lines:
With the main line we usually use either PE braided line #2 - #3 or mono of about 10 - 15 lbs. Leader line from #1.5 - #4 is best and don't forget to go for that expensive florocarbon. It might be more expensive but surely it's got to pay off right? Keep your leaders to about 1 meter or less.

Tight lines,
Nigel Paquin.