Autumn Ocean Fishing in Korea
Autumn ocean fishing, for me, is about filling the freezer with Spanish mackerel. For the past ten years, I’ve been poking around Gangwon Province’s East Coast, exploring the beaches and ports from Yangyang to Samcheok. I’ve fished from shore, kayak, and jetty—always hoping the wind and swells would cooperate. Ten to fifteen fish in a day would be considered a banner outing.
This season, though, things hadn’t gone my way. I hadn’t landed a single Spanish. So when a small break in the weather came, I decided to make the long haul to Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province—a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Seoul.
I had two days to fish. One forecast called for ten-mile-per-hour winds and two-foot swells; the other promised light wind and calm seas. The captain of the New Han Sung chose the rough day. He said he’d take out a group of five, and that we’d only fish from one side of the boat. “No casting,” he told us. “Just drop eighty-gram metal jigs and count down thirty seconds or more.” Rarely did a jig make it that long—Spanish mackerel, yellowtail, and what I believe were small bigeye tuna were thick in the water.
The captain had found a ledge and was using the current and wind to make long drifts—probably three kilometers each. The jigs didn’t drop straight down, since the boat was moving so quickly. The retrieve was methodical and slow: a gentle pump, two or three turns of the reel, repeat. This seasoned skipper knew that the key to success was keeping the lure in the strike zone as long as possible.
By the end of the trip, I came home with forty-one fish—the smallest of which would be considered a trophy back in Gangwon. I didn’t keep any yellowtail, but I did manage two small tuna.
Bottom line: if you’re looking for a serious saltwater trip on Korea’s mainland, you have to go to Pohang. End of story.
A four hour trip (trust me that’s all you need) is 70,000 KRW plus 10,000 KRW for a rod rental. Be prepared with coolers and ice if you have to travel with your fish.
Don’t let looks deceive you. The boat is as old as the captain, but this is one fishy dude. Also, he is very friendly, but doesn’t speak English- so you may need a Korean speaker to help you make a reservation.
