Visited: August–October · Information checked: November 8, 2026 · Written by Shohei
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Chining (チニング) is Japanese lure fishing for black sea bream—chinu or kurodai. Instead of bait, you drag a small soft lure along the bottom, like bass fishing in the sea. Black sea bream live along seawalls and river mouths all around Tokyo Bay, so you can try this from the shore without a boat.
At a Glance
| Target | Black sea bream (chinu / kurodai) |
| Where | Takasu Seaside Park (高洲海浜公園), Urayasu, Chiba—a public park on Tokyo Bay |
| Driving required? | No |
| Getting there | Train + bus: JR Keiyo Line to Shin-Urayasu Station, then a Keisei bus (Takasu-Minami Line) to the “Takasu Kaihin Koen” stop—check a route planner for times |
| Method | Soft lure on a free rig, dragged slowly along the bottom |
| Season | August–October (my catches) |
| Difficulty | Harder than goby fishing—expect some blank days |
The Free Rig I Use
A free rig is a sinker that hangs from the line on its own swivel, with an offset hook and a soft lure tied below. The sinker reaches the bottom first and the lure follows, so it gets snagged less on rocks.
| Part | What I use |
|---|---|
| Rod | Daiwa Chining X 76ML (2.29 m); I also use a Shimano S86ML (8 ft 6 in, about 2.6 m) |
| Reel | Shimano Sedona 2500HG |
| Main line | Seaguar R18 Seabass Stealth Gray, PE 0.8 (gō), 150 m |
| Leader | Yamatoyo Famell Fluoro Shock Leader, 12 lb (size 3), 30 m |
| Sinker | Daiwa Free Rig Sinker (slim, 10 g) or Decoy Sinker Type Stick DS-6 (11 g) |
| Hook | Decoy Kg Hook Worm17 (offset), size 2 |
| Soft lures | Daiwa Silver Wolf Urban Crawler 2.5″ and Keitech Crazy Flapper 2.4″ |
| Extras | Daiwa Hard Sinker Lock (size S) |
| Landing net | One with a long handle—about 5 m. At Takasu Seaside Park the wave-breaking blocks drop about 5 m to the water, so you can’t lift a 40 cm fish up by the line |
Why a leader? PE line is thin and sensitive but easily damaged on rocks and shells. A short fluorocarbon leader tied to the end takes the wear.
How I Fish It
- Cast out and let the rig sink until the line goes slack—that’s the bottom.
- Drag it slowly back along the bottom, with pauses.
- Small taps are common—wait for the real bite (hon-atari). When you feel a solid, heavy thump, set the hook hard.
- Then adjust how much line the reel gives (the drag) so the fish can’t dive into the gaps between the blocks, and land it with the long landing net.
- At Takasu Seaside Park I mostly use the free rig: the bottom is full of snags, and the free rig gets caught less than other rigs.
Not Only Worms
I also cast a small vibration lure (a sinking lure that wobbles when you reel) in the river. Around Maihama Bridge, vibration lures are the most popular way to fish for black sea bream—but I haven’t caught one on a vibration myself. At Takasu Seaside Park, the free rig works for me.
Where to Buy the Gear
I buy most of it at Casting (キャスティング), a big tackle chain around Tokyo—my nearest is Casting Minami-Gyotoku in Ichikawa, Chiba (open 10:00–21:00, checked November 8, 2026). Casting also rents rods and reels: you reserve online, then pick up and return the gear at a Casting store, with staff on hand to explain how to use it. The rental site is in Japanese. See How to Shop at a Japanese Tackle Shop for labels and phrases.
Rules and Manners
- Fish only where fishing is allowed and follow the signs.
- Seawalls with wave-breaking blocks (tetrapods) are dangerous—don’t climb on them.
- Take your snagged line and lure packaging home.
The Catch
My black sea bream here have been around 40 cm. I released them.
FAQ
Is chining good for beginners?
It’s harder than goby fishing, but the gear is simple. If you’re completely new, try goby fishing first.
Do I need a licence?
Rules depend on the place. At Takasu Seaside Park I fish from the seawall where fishing is allowed—always follow the posted signs and the park’s rules.
About the author: Shohei is a Kanto-based angler who fishes Tokyo Bay for goby and black sea bream.