[Kesennuma is a fishing mecca!?] Catch donko, the symbol of winter!

This time's spot is Kesennuma Oshima!

Kesennuma Oshima is a remote island that can now be accessed by car thanks to the construction of the Kesennuma Oshima Bridge (commonly known as the Tsurukame Bridge). It is a popular spot in Kesennuma, filled with natural scenery such as oyster farming rafts and beautiful beaches.

Let's try fishing!

This time we'll be fishing at Oshima Nagasaki Embankment!
It is located near Odanohama Beach, which is crowded with people in the summer.
There is a space to park your car and there is a toilet nearby, so you don't have to worry.
*If there are boats moored or fishermen working, park in a place that will not get in the way.

terrain

This time we will be fishing on the open ocean side near the base of the breakwater.
There are blocks at the bottom of this area, which serve as a habitat for fish.
The blocks serve as hiding places for "root fish" such as rockfish, rockfish, black rockfish, and scorpion fish.

What's the target this time?

This time we tried our hand at the local specialty "Donko" which is in season in winter!
Its official name is Chigodara, and it is broadly a member of the cod family.
*Previously, Chigodara and Hokkaido Iso-ainame were separate species, but in 2019 they were unified as Chigodara.

Things you need for bank fishing ※For donko

We have compiled a list of things you will need for fishing in the evening and at night.
This time I bought some tackle at a hardware store! I used a "Burakuri" tackle and frozen saury fillets as bait.

・Fishing rod
・Reel (with fishing line wound on it)
・Mechanism
·feed
・Cooler box
・Water bucket
- Headlights (to illuminate your hands and feet, and to let others know that you are around)
·Life jacket

be careful

Check whether fishing is prohibited
・Always wear a life jacket!
・Fishermen have priority! When a boat comes, raise your fishing rod from the sea.
・When casting your bait, make sure it is safe around you
・Take your trash home with you and clean up the area you used before leaving

Tips on how to fish!

Ryu taught me how to fish!
We will explain how to fish for our target fish this time, Donko.
Donko generally stay near the bottom, so it is important to lower your rig to your feet and make sure it reaches the bottom.
This time we will use a rig called "Burakuri" which is a rig that combines the hook and weight, and "saury fillets" as bait.
The flesh of the saury used as bait is soft, so if you sew it onto the hook it will be less likely to come off.

[Fishing procedure]
① After attaching the bait, cast the rig at your feet.
② Once the rig hits the bottom, the line will slacken, so reel it in until it is taut.
This is the point!
If you leave the line slack, you won't be able to tell when the fish is biting, and in some cases the bait may be taken deeper into the hole and get caught.
Always keep the thread attached.
③ Once the line has hit the bottom and is taut, this is the time to start luring the lure.
Give the rod a big jerk, lift it 50cm to 1m off the bottom, and then drop it back down. Repeating this twice creates a current in the water, which makes nearby fish think there's something there and also helps spread the smell of the bait.
④ Wait for a bite. At this time, if you float the rig about 20cm from the bottom, it will be easier to see the bite and the donko will be able to notice the bait.
⑤When you get a bite, let the bait sink in a little, then give the rod a quick, big flick to set the hook.
This is the action of firmly hooking the hook into the fish's mouth, called "awase."
Repeat steps 1 to 4, and if there is no response, move about 1m and continue searching for areas where donko are likely to be found.

What will be the result in the storm?

As the cold wind blows, we slowly lower the fishing gear into the sea.
Once the rig hits the bottom, while feeling the tension of the line, lift the rod about 30 to 50 cm above the bottom.
If you wait a little while and there is no response, you can let out the line again and drop the bait to the bottom, spreading the scent of the bait in the sea.
As I repeated this...I got a small bite!

I was able to catch a miniature "donko"!
Even though it was small, it pulled hard, so I could feel the power of the fish.

Ryu also caught a donko!

We also caught a rockfish, which has been increasing in number recently.

The rain and wind got stronger along the way, so we decided it was too dangerous to continue fishing and called it a day.
If you fall into the ocean in winter, you run the risk of dying from hypothermia.
Be sure not to push yourself too hard and make the decision to stop fishing!
Also, since night fishing in the winter is very cold, I made sure to wear clothes that would keep my neck, ears, and hands warm...

Donko soup in winter! What is Ebisu-ko, a culture unique to Kesennuma?

When you think of donko in Kesennuma, you think of "donko soup"! It's like miso soup with donko as an ingredient.
Apparently, Kesennuma has a custom called "Ebisu-ko." Ebisu refers to Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods.

Donko fish have a big belly and a small tail, so they are considered to be a lucky fish that brings money. You can imagine this from the way they eat anything with their big mouths.
The Ebisu-ko festival in Kesennuma is a way to worship Ebisu, and on October 20th of the lunar calendar, donko fish are hung on the altar as an offering to pray for a good catch and prosperous business, and then made into donko soup and eaten.
While many households will hold the Ebisu-ko ceremony in 2025 on November 20th, in the Karakuwa area it will be held in December.

(By the way, when we think of Ebisu, we imagine him holding a sea bream, but the Ebisu statue at Ukimido in Kesennuma city is actually holding a bonito!)

I tried making donko soup!

Ota tries donko soup for the first time!
I decided to remove the gills properly and include the head as well.

The liver is the key to donko!
Even though there was no dashi added, the flavor of the liver and meat was really strong and rich.
This is something you'll want to eat in the winter... It really warmed my hands and feet!

Ryu's recommended cooking method is "namero"! If it's freshly caught, you can also cook the liver.
I'd like to try it next time I catch one!

We will also introduce a YouTube video of Ryu fishing at night in this location in the past.
There is also a scene where donko is being cooked, so be sure to check it out!

Come to Kesennuma!

How was it?
After catching and eating donko, a winter delicacy of Kesennuma, for the first time, I once again felt that I really do live in the port town of Kesennuma. It seems that there are other food cultures unique to Kesennuma, so I would like to find out more!

I thought there wouldn't be any fish in the cold winter, but it turns out that it's actually the season for catching delicious fish! There are plenty of other fish you can catch, including rockfish and flounder!
Come visit Kesennuma too!