Information checked: November 7, 2026 · Written by Shohei
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Goby (haze) fishing needs very little gear. If you just want to try it once, you can rent a rod at a fishing-boat shop’s pier—see my Edogawa Floodway guide. This page is for when you want your own set: residents who’ll go again, or anyone who wants to fish from the free bank.
At a Glance
| Total cost for a basic set | A few thousand yen for a budget rod-and-reel combo, rig and bait |
| Where to buy | Any tackle shop near Tokyo Bay, or online (Amazon / Rakuten) |
| Best season | Summer to autumn (I fish July–September) |
| Skill needed | None—goby fishing is a classic first fish in Japan |
Two Ways to Fish for Goby
| Simple pole (nobezao) | Light casting (choi-nage) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A rod with no reel; the line is tied to the tip | A short rod with a small spinning reel |
| Reach | Only the water in front of you | You can cast a little way out |
| Good for | Piers, very shallow water, small kids | Banks where the fish are a bit farther out |
| What I use | ✓ on the Edogawa Floodway bank |
The Basic Set (Light Casting)
- Rod: a light spinning rod of about 2.3–2.6 m with a soft tip. I use rods made for light lure fishing (details below).
- Reel: a small spinning reel, size 2500 is a common beginner choice. Many shops sell rod-and-reel combos that already have line on them.
- Line: on my Sedona I use PE line size 0.8 (gō) with a size 3 leader. PE is thin and sensitive, but it needs a leader tied on. If that sounds like too much, a combo with line already on it (like the one below) is fine to start
- Sinker: a small sinker on a tenbin (a wire arm that keeps the rig from tangling). Use the lightest one that still lets you feel the bottom; the right size depends on the current and wind, so ask the shop what suits your spot.
- Hooks / rig: ready-made goby rigs (haze shikake) save a lot of time. They usually have two or three small hooks—summer goby have small mouths, so pick a small size.
- Bait: lugworm (aoisome) from a tackle shop, or artificial bait if you’d rather not touch worms.
Small Extras That Help
- A bucket with an air pump or a small cooler with ice—to keep your catch fresh if you’ll eat it
- A small towel and scissors—for cutting bait
- A fish grip or a cloth—goby are slippery but harmless
- Sun protection—summer on the water is hot, with little shade
What I Use on the Edogawa Floodway
Rods: a Shimano S86ML (8 ft 6 in, about 2.6 m, medium-light) and a Daiwa Chining X, a light rod made for black sea bream (chinu) lure fishing—see Chining in Tokyo Bay. Both are light lure rods rather than goby-only rods—they have the soft tip you need to feel small bites.
Reel: a Shimano Sedona 2500HG, a small spinning reel, with PE 0.8 line and a size 3 leader.
My first set: when I started, I used the Shimano Buenavista Combo S56L (on Amazon Japan)—a 1.68 m light rod with a small reel that comes with line already on it. According to Shimano, it breaks down into 5 pieces (49 cm) and comes with a case that holds the rod with the reel attached. A short, light set like this is easy to handle and fine for goby.
Rig and bait: a ready-made goby rig on a small tenbin sinker, with live lugworm (aoisome).
How I fish: myaku-zuri—a short cast, then I keep the line tight and feel for bites through the line instead of watching a float.
Buy in Japan or Bring From Home?
- Living in Japan: buy locally. Goby gear is cheap and every tackle shop near the bay stocks it in summer.
- Visiting: you probably don’t need to buy anything—rent at a pier. If you want a set to take home, a short telescopic (furidashi) rod packs small. Rules for rods and hooks differ by airline—check yours before you fly, and keep hooks covered in your checked bag
FAQ
Do I need a licence?
For the Edogawa Floodway, I couldn’t find a clear rule—ask at the boat shop if you’re unsure.
Where do I buy bait?
Tackle shops near the water sell live lugworm; ask at the counter for a small amount for goby. Prices vary by shop
About the author: Shohei is a Kanto-based angler who often fishes the Edogawa Floodway for goby.