The launch of the new Kaiji No Ri ocean location in Japan, which is just around the corner, will bring with it over 500 new inventory items specifically designed for this unique fishing environment. Fishing in the open sea introduces a host of new challenges, including new fish species, unpredictable weather conditions, and a completely different water consistency.
The fish in the ocean are notably larger, requiring significantly more powerful setups to fight and reel them in. With depths reaching up to 500 meters in some places, anglers need heavier sinkers for bottom fishing. New tackle materials provide enhanced resistance to saltwater corrosion for durability in the ocean. Additionally, fishing from a boat, rather than the shore, requires equipment that can handle the movement while trolling and the formidable fight of larger ocean fish.
Today's DevDiary introduces the exciting new items for ocean fishing, including delicious fresh baits like spiny lobsters, flying squid, gutted fish, and giant chunks of fresh fish. You'll also find innovative saltwater lures such as pilkers, plugs, squid jigs, bucktails, trolling octopuses, and teasers like squid chains. We’ll showcase saltwater rods and reels, and reveal some details about the new animations in the game.
Let’s dive in!
Saltwater Tackle in the Global Shop
The first thing you'll notice when you open the Global Store is a new section dedicated to Saltwater tackle. Upon opening it, you'll discover a whopping 31 pages featuring a wide array of tackles for ocean fishing, ranging from level 81 to level 90.
Additionally, in all the tabs' dropdowns, you'll find new sections for saltwater items in their respective categories.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the saltwater core gear available in the shop. The selection includes spinning, casting, and bottom equipment specifically designed for ocean fishing. We'll highlight a few examples to give you a sense of what to expect and what to look forward to.
There are four Saltwater Spinning Rods all in the Kōdo Kyatchā Series by the renowned Japanese company Tsurihito™. As one of the oldest and largest manufacturers of extra heavy rods, Tsurihito™ has created the exclusive Kōdo Kyatchā with SamuraiDo® technology. These rods feature eight reinforcement layers of high modulus polyethylene "gel fiber," carbon fabric, and polymer resin, offering exceptional strength and remarkable flexibility. Despite their power, the rods have light and strong blanks, equipped with guides featuring silicon carbide inserts to prevent line tangles.
Bottom rods are represented in AquaStrike FJ and Ryōshi Kaito HJ series.
AquaStrike FJ by Fletch and Bradford™ are short bottom rods at attractive prices. They are perfect for fishing in conditions where it is impossible to swing far enough when casting and throwing the bait far. Made with alternating layers of fiberglass, these sleek looking rods are strong enough to take on big fish. The rods are equipped with strong and reliable guides that resist unexpected and heavy loads to withstand the significant weight of the fish.
The Ryōshi Kaito HJ are powerful short rods from Tsurihito™. The innovative technologies used in their production make these rods unique for bottom sea fishing. The nanofibers used to reinforce the rods with NanoFlexyPoint® technology create an incredibly strong and flexible construction. The rods are equipped with a complete set of reinforced roller guides and roller tips that can withstand heavy loads under extreme fishing conditions. All poles are treated with a special anti-corrosion protective layer against the aggressive marine environment, which increases the performance of the rods.
The shop will feature a diverse range of Saltwater Casting Rods, spanning six different series from Tsurihito™ and Fletch and Bradford™. We'll showcase two of these series as examples.
The Kōdo Tatsu Umi Pro casting rods from the latest Kōdo series by Tsurihito™ will captivate casting saltwater fishing enthusiasts with their unique properties. The rods deliver exceptional balance and power while still looking sleek. The innovative technology of applying each of the eight composite reinforcing layers to the rod provides it with the highest strength and flexibility. The unique placement of the guides allows you to use not only fishing lines, but also thin braided cords without problems and overlaps.
The ReefRider Max trolling rods from Fletch and Bradford™ are a masterpiece of engineering and design. Developed to perform in the toughest conditions, these rods are equipped with a complete set of roller guides and saltwater resistant roller tips. Innovations were used in the manufacturing process, including the Ultra Resonance System® technology, as the use of composite high-modulus materials made it possible to obtain unique properties of the rods: the ability to instantly return to their original position after peak loads, plasticity, and high sensitivity!
The saltwater reels are simply stunning. Here are a few examples for you, but there will be much more!
The Tsunami Koiru Series are powerful spinning reels by Tsurihito™. They have a fairly large size but are easy to operate and don't require special care. Being one of the most reliable reels in their class, they fully meet all the main requirements of a modern angler. A special boron nitride coating on the various 3D-BN® reel mechanisms guarantees exceptional strength, durability, and wear resistance.
The TsuruOceanSeries from Tsurihito™ are saltwater baitcasting reels that you can trust 100%. These reels easily and smoothly overcome the resistance of heavy loads, which allows you to cast both weightless plastic lures and heavy ones with accuracy, and also increases the casting distance with less effort. The spool, rotor and parts of the drag mechanisms of the reel, made using the innovative TatsumakiLite® technology from an ultra-light and strong alloy, are wear-resistant and provide high-speed winding. They have a waterproof body that is resistant to the aggressive marine environment.
The FlowCatch saltwater baiting reels series by Fletch and Bradford™ were manufactured specifically for anglers for whom reliability is the main requirement in saltwater fishing.They possesses huge free-floating spool capacity, AntiRust® protected instantaneous anti-reverse brake bearing, StopWet® waterproof gasket, and other benefits of FaBula® protection technology. The lightness and strength of the body combined with the power and smoothness in reeling in the largest marine dwellers puts them ahead of any other reels of this class!
The powerful RaidenWheel Heavy Duty reels from Tsurihito™ are designed for deep sea trolling or bottom fishing at depths of more than 100 meters. Constructed from an ultra-light, wear-resistant TatsumakiLite® alloy, the spool, rotor and drag parts provide ideal high-speed winding.
There will also be dozens of new saltwater lines, leaders, hooks, and sinkers. Each item is specifically designed to meet the demands of ocean environments and resist the corrosive effects of saltwater. You'll have everything you need for ocean fishing, including trolling.
You'll have everything you need for ocean fishing, including trolling.
As for the lures, you will have a lot of new things to choose from.
You'll find regular lures in the shop, as well as trophy items available as mission rewards. Additionally, you can earn exclusive X-Series and Club-Series items.
Plugs -classic wooden trolling lures. Their elongated body is weighted with a metal tip and fitted with a powerful hook on the other side.They are ideal for trolling Tuna, Marlin, Mahi-Mahi or Wahoo.
Pilkers - oblong jigs with the front-placed center of gravity. They are equipped with one, two, or three hooks on leaders (mainly located in the head of the lure) and are intended for casting and vertical jigging. Amberjacks, Trevallies, and Dogtooth Tunas respond best to this lure.
Bucktails - casting lures, made in the form of a small metal fish with a long, fluffy tail made of synthetic fibers. Their main purpose is casting and jigging, as well as trolling. Mahi-Mahi, Striped Bass, Snook, and other fish that live in the surface layer are happy to bite at this bait.
Trolling Octopuses are silicone lures that resemble skirts. They are one of the most popular marine lures and perfect for beginners. They are made in the form of an octopus and have realistic tentacles. This lure is designed for trolling Tunas, Marlins, Mahi-Mahi, and Wahoo.
Squid jigs are popular front-loaded jig lures for recreational squid fishing with spinning rods. They resemble shrimp in shape and color and are made of plastic and sport two crowns of barbless spikes, which catch the squid’s tentacles when it’s attacking the lure. The absence of barbs makes it easy to remove the caught squid, but it also increases the chance of it slipping away, so while catching the squid your fishing line shouldn't go slack even for a second.
Squid Chains are teasers imitating a flock of squids. They consist of several silicone squids, located one after the other on a monofilament 2- or 3-meter-long line. As a rule, the main lure with a hook is attached behind the last squid. They are ideal for catching Tuna, Marlin, and Mahi-Mahi.
There will be plenty of fresh baits like Japanese Jack Mackerel, Japanese Flying Squid, Japanese Anchovy that are excellent for all pelagic predatory fish such as Tunas, Marlins, Mackerels, Bonitos, Yellowtails, and Trevallies.
Japanese spiny lobsters are valuable commercial crustaceans in Japan, while also making a perfect bait for the Giant Grouper, as well as gutted fish. Fish stripes are best for bottom fish like Snappers, Trevallies and Amberjack, but these fish won’t skip the chance to taste gutted fish as well.
As usual, the game features a local shop at the new location. It will offer the most common items you might need, ensuring you won't have to travel back to the Globe if you run out of bait or forget something. For your convenience, the local shop will have two sections.
Another exciting addition is Free spool mechanics that will enhance your fishing experience, especially for bottom fishing at great depths. This feature allows precise control of your line, enabling the free immersion of lures or sinkers to significant depths with an open spool and securing the line at the desired depth with a closed spool. This added functionality offers greater accuracy, especially when the bottom topography is unknown and considering the fact that the depth of the ocean will be over 100 meters at many spots, making it easier to target specific depths and fish species. Additionally, a gaff has been added to the animations, used for bringing large fish aboard the boat, further enriching the overall fishing experience.
This was a brief introduction to the ocean inventory items available with The Ocean Update and some of the new animations, but there's much more to come. We've also started working on a new matchmaking system for competitions in the game. Our goal is to revise the competition rating and leaderboards to make them more dynamic, fair, and motivating for players of all skill levels and fishing experience.
While we put the finishing touches on the final details of the Ocean Update, we thank you for your patience and continuous support.
You are always welcome to ask for help in our support: support@fishingplanet.com *All visual content in this DevDiary is crafted to showcase the upcoming features; however, there may be slight differences upon the actual release of the update
We are joining another big multiplatform Sale! Simulator and Mega Sale will be available on all Platforms!
Don't miss out on the opportunity to grab the Amazon Carnival Pack at a 40% discount and enjoy 30 days of access to the breathtaking Amazonian Maze waterway. Also, get the Wild Africa Pack and Bassboat Explorer Pack at 30% off! The Wild Africa Pack gives you 7 days of unparalleled fishing adventure on the angler-favorite Congo River.
The sale starts on May 28th at 9 AM UTC and will be available until 9 AM UTC on June 3rd!
Act now to advance your account to the max level before the ocean update drops—it's just around the corner!
This is the moment of glory! After careful assessment of results, we are ready to reveal to the whole world the names of the top 10 Champions of the Live Bait Fiesta Cup!
And now it’s time to celebrate, collect prizes and get ready for new interesting challenges!
We invite seasoned Anglers and newcomers to join us for the Live Bait Fiesta Cup! Don’t forget that Fishing Planet’s Tournaments are not only an opportunity to challenge your angling skills, but also a great chance for beginners to fish at high level locations for in-game money. All of the players who register to the Tournament, get access to all the participating locations along with the licenses for qualifying fish.
Get your bottom and match gear ready. Leave your rod stand at home — it won't be needed. Please note that only fish caught from the shore will be considered valid during the tournament. The winner will be determined based on the maximum weight of their ten heaviest catches. Throughout the tournament, you'll embark on an exhilarating journey through three stunning warm countries in South America. Explore waterways surrounded by tropical jungles and inhabited by unique impressive fish.
Your adventure will take you to the Peruvian Lake Maku-Maku, the Amazonian Maze in Brazil, and the Marron River flowing through the Bolivian rainforests. These locales boast incredible flora and fauna, attracting sport fishing experts from around the globe. Prepare to face off against seasoned pros in this tournament!
Remember, the greater the challenge, the sweeter the victory. Compete for the title of Champion and win substantial prizes, including generous amounts of Credits, Baitcoins, and exclusive equipment items. Join us for an unforgettable fishing experience!
Stay tuned and don't miss the registration date for the Live Bait Fiesta Cup!
Registration of tournament participants begins on May 13th at 18:00 UTC. The tournament takes place from May 14 to May 19th, 18:00 UTC
Tournament schedule dates:
May 14th — first qualifier on the deep-water lake Maku-Maku in Peru.
May 15th — second qualifier in the Amazonian Maze in Brazil.
May 16th — third qualifier on the foggy Marron River, amidst the Bolivian jungle.
May 18th — semi-finals on the Marron River in Bolivia.
May 19th — tournament finals in the Amazonian Maze, Brazil.
Important! Please, read the Competitive activities rules before you register. We've recently joined the Epic Games Store, which means you can play against folks on Steam too! The most important part is that you can have Fishing Planet accounts on both platforms, but you can only use one Fishing Planet account per device for tournaments. We know gaming with family is awesome, but for tournaments, each family member should play on their own device. If you share a device, just pick one person to compete.
Do not miss an opportunity to get everything you need in the Live Bait Fiesta Pack!
When we set out to create the ocean map, we weren't aiming to just add a new location in Fishing Planet. Our ambition was to go big. We wanted players to feel like they were stepping into a whole new world, with endless possibilities and giant fish waiting to be caught.
But let us tell you, turning that dream into reality wasn't easy. In fact, sometimes we joke that it would have been faster and easier to build a whole new game from scratch! And that joke is actually not too far from reality.
Now, after months of hard work, we're getting closer to the finish line, and it's been quite the journey. Today we're excited to present a new addition to our DevDiary series for you to take a closer look at the location and some of the new features accompanying it. Sit back and enjoy!
Discovering the immensity
You already know that the new location is going to be massive. We've discussed its size in previous DevDiaries — it's set to span 20 by 20 km, totaling 400 square kilometers, or roughly 40,000 hectares, which is almost 100,000 acres.
To give you a sense of scale, we previously attempted to estimate these dimensions by comparing them to all our other Fishing Planet locations combined and multiplied at least by twenty. Now, however, you can see for yourself with the following image.
Take a peek at all of our locations gathered in the upper left corner. We're confident you'll recognize some of your favorite maps by their outlines.
Now, let's zoom in for a closer look in the picture below. We've highlighted the Mudwater River for you with a red square so you can see it up close and truly grasp the enormity of the new map. Remember, when it comes to fishing, it's the size of the water surface that matters, so disregard the green areas on the maps. Take a moment to appreciate just how much blue there is on the new map, showcasing the vastness of the saltwater waiting for you at the Kaiji No Ri location.
Ocean water: mastering the waves
When it comes to video games, graphics play a crucial role, particularly in simulators. In Fishing Planet, water constitutes 90% of our graphics. Water is an incredibly complex element, like nothing else in the real world. Freshwater and saltwater have distinctly different physics, appearance, and behaviors. This is one of the reasons why crafting a saltwater location felt close to developing an entirely new game – we had to build 90% of the graphics from scratch. We're proud to say that we like the outcome of our efforts.
We've created different water shapes and technologies for various platforms - mobile, consoles, and PC. It actually consists of three different types of water, which are significantly different in terms of calculations, although they may appear the same. Some of them were created using the Gerstner wave formula, while others utilized FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) and tessellation technology to ensure the most realistic approach. Calculating buoyancy was a challenging task given the variety of water technologies involved, but we've managed to do it.
The appearance of the water also varies significantly depending on the weather and time of day, yet it maintains its stunning and remarkably realistic quality, whether it's day or night, sunny or cloudy.
The ocean isn't always serene; sometimes, storms brew, and waves grow sharp and tumultuous. For such occasions, we've developed a special water dynamic. And let us tell you, this one's our favorite!
No kidding, the ocean turned out so realistic that after our first trips, some of us even felt a bit dizzy! :)
The water you see in the videos above isn't the final version yet. We're still refining and enhancing small details to make it look as realistic as possible. It's also important to mention that optimizing such an expansive water mass is crucial to ensure all players can enjoy it across various platforms and devices. Therefore, our developers pay special attention to it.
Control panel and devices
If you've checked out the Fish Species Guide for our upcoming location, you already know that the majority of fish species in this area are highly migratory, covering many kilometers each day. With such vast movements influenced by natural factors like weather, wind, time of day, and depth, it will take anglers quite some time to study fish behavior. But fear not! We've got you covered.
Introducing brand new Echo Sounders and Fish Finders installed on all saltwater boats, along with a comprehensive GPS navigator map built right into the boats themselves, ensuring convenience for all the anglers.
As you can see in the videos, the depth varies significantly. With the Echo Sounder, you'll have visibility of the depth and bottom relief beneath the boat, and different depth zones can be identified on both the Fish Finder and the GPS navigator. The Echo Sounder will display fish directly beneath your boat, while the Fish Finder will detect fish in a wider radius around your location.
The Fish Finder also displays fish across different layers - upper, middle, and bottom - helping you determine the most suitable tackle to use. Indeed, certain spots on the map are teeming with fish, tempting you to cast your rods non-stop!
Sea Life Simulation System
Another addition tailored specifically for the saltwater location is the Sea Life Simulation System. Mirroring real-life phenomena, when tuna schools pursue smaller fish, they drive them towards the surface, attracting flocks of seagulls eager to snatch their share. Fishing in these spots promises excitement, with tuna leaping out of the water just as they do in reality!
We’ve made sure to provide anglers with clues on locating bottom-dwelling fish on the map. While they won't be leaping out of the water like tuna, there will be other indicators of where to find them in the location. These hints are left for you to discover, when the map is released.
Navigation Buoys
We mentioned earlier the GPS navigation built into the boats, but there will also be already familiar to you Tablet with the map and other useful features. Given the vast size of the location, traveling from one end to the other can take quite some time. To simplify navigation, we've created the Navigation Buoys for saltwater locations. These special buoys allow you to mark your favorite spots and teleport directly to them, streamlining your journey.
Setting a Navigation buoy is simple: travel to the desired location, open the map, and click the plus button. The buoy will mark the spot instantly.
If you wish to travel to any of your Navigation Buoys, simply click on it and hit the button. You'll be instantly transported right there!
But Navigation Buoys don’t only exist on the Tablet navigation map, they are real objects in the water. You will be able to see them when you are passing by.
At night Navigation Buoys illuminate with red light, making them visible from afar. You can also enjoy the sight of stars in the night sky, with the lighthouse and port lanterns adding to the ambiance. These features take extra time, but it was important for us to create a cozy atmosphere for nighttime fishing.
Picture yourself stepping onto that boat in the hazy dawn, starting the engine, and gliding slowly and silently out of the marina. Then, as you gain momentum, you cut through the waves and venture into the vast open ocean!
We appreciate how much you're looking forward to this update, and we're working tirelessly to bring it to life. It is crucial for us to ensure that the experience you have in this location is everything we envisioned for you and we thank you for holding tight until it’s released.
Keep an eye out for the next DevDiary, where we'll delve into the details of saltwater tackles and gear. Until then, tight lines, and enjoy your fishing adventures!
P.S. Just a little treat for you
We know you've always wanted to approach those yachts and ships that you can see in the distance at various locations in the game, and at Kaiji No Ri, you'll finally have the chance! For example, there will be Cruise Ships in Japan. You can sail to one, take a close look from all angles, sail alongside it and…
…even crash into it! We know you wanted to try it! Have fun! :D
*All visual content in this DevDiary is crafted to showcase the upcoming features; however, there may be slight differences upon the actual release of the update
With the Golden Pack, you'll gain access to 17 of Fishing Planet’s waterways, complete with Advanced licenses for all of them.
You'll also receive 10 exclusive rods and reel combos, advanced and deluxe tackle in their golden editions, a set of premium Golden Edition fishing apparel, and the incredible Golden Kayak - a sturdy and swift fishing companion.
You'll also receive Credits, BaitCoins, a MONTH of Premium, and early unlock of the Monster missions!
It’s finally here! We’ve thoroughly counted all the points and can now announce the results of the World Bass Tour Finals! Say hello to our three Champions among the top 10 anglers, whose skills and perseverance make them the best Bass catchers! Our sincere congratulations!
But don't think about relaxing yet: remember, new tournaments are just around the corner!
This April, get ready for a challenge! Dust off your best gear, hone your fishing skills, and enter the first world bass fishing tournament, the World Bass Tour!
The tournament will last from April 9 through 14, with registration starting on April 8, one day before the first qualifying stage.
Three qualifying stages will determine 60 best anglers who will advance to the Semifinals. The top 20 anglers of the Semifinals will then compete in the final battle to become Bass Champion.
Through the water expanses of the Everglades, the swampy shores of Louisiana, the tropical Marron River you’ll find yourselves in the Amazon jungle; and then be ready for the final battle on the Blue Crab Island, Mississippi!
Here’s the tournament schedule:
April 9: Qualifier 1 at Everglades, Florida.
April 10: Qualifier 2 on the swampy expanses of Quanchkin Lake, Louisiana.
April 11: Qualifier 3 on the Marron River in northern Bolivia.
April 13: Semifinals in the meandering streams of the Amazonian Maze in Brazil.
April 14: Finals on the magical Blue Crab Island, Mississippi.
Imagine it’s spring, and the weather is warm. The cool season has passed, although the rainy season hasn't started yet. The water is heating up fast, causing fish to become more active and move closer to the shores. The Pacific Bluefin Tuna spawning season starts.
Excitedly, you gather your friends for a fishing expedition to a small Japanese island. As you prepare, you need to ensure you have all the necessary tackles to reel in the abundant fish awaiting you in this picturesque location. Take the time to study fish range, habitats, diet, lifestyle, and fishing methods to make the most out of this adventure.
This DevDiary will help you in planning your trip and maximizing your fishing experience in Japan.
Naturally, when you think of this region, Tuna comes to mind first!
In this location, you'll encounter six types of tuna — well, technically five, but we'll get to that later. Tuna are highly valued and prized on local markets for their quality in sushi and sashimi.
Yellowfin Tuna
The Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares), a big pelagic fish of the tuna genus, roams temperate and tropical waters across all oceans. These highly migratory creatures form schools with other tunas, such as skipjack and bigeye, and often swim alongside dolphins.
During the day, they prefer deeper waters but come closer to the surface at night. With impressive dimensions of up to 440 lbs (200kg) and 8.2 feet (2,5 m) in length, they're constantly on the move, feeding actively day and night, seldom diving below 880 feet (100m). Their diet includes small fish, crustaceans, and squid. Yellowfin Tuna are prolific breeders, capable of reproduction year-round.
Bigeye Tuna
The Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) shares similarities with the Yellowfin tuna in size, diet, and behavior. However, unlike its closest relatives, Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna, the Bigeye is known for its longevity, often reaching over 15 years of age. In contrast, Yellowfin Tuna typically live for about 7-8 years at most.
Pacific Bluefin Tuna
The Pacific Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus orientalis) inhabits warm and moderate waters of the North Pacific Ocean, although it's exceptionally rare in the southern regions. As the largest tuna species in the Pacific and second largest globally (after the Atlantic), it can grow up to an impressive 9 feet (3m) in length and weigh over 880 lbs (400kg). Typically, Pacific Bluefin Tuna don't venture below 650 feet (200m). Known for their great appetite, they prey on a diverse range of small schooling fish, squid, and crabs.
Longfin Tuna (Albacore)
The Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) is distinguished by its notably long pectoral fins. Found in temperate and tropical regions across all oceans, it can grow up to 132 lbs (60kg) in weight. With a remarkable ability to roam from the surface to depths of nearly 2000 feet (600m), Albacore are constantly in motion, actively feeding day and night like their tuna counterparts.
What sets Albacore apart is their dietary preference for cephalopods, especially squid, although they also consume fish, crustaceans, and jelly-like organisms. Albacore meat is considered superior quality and the finest among all tuna varieties.
Skipjack Tuna
The Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is a schooling pelagic fish, distinguished as the sole member of its genus. Widely distributed across temperate and tropical regions of all oceans, it's relatively small, with a maximum weight of 77 lbs (35kg).
In behavior and lifestyle, the Skipjack closely resembles the Yellowfin Tuna, often forming massive schools with them that can number up to fifty thousand individuals, including young specimens. Feeding primarily on small fish, squid, and crustaceans found in surface waters, Skipjack Tuna are a vital commercial species, topping the charts as the most caught tuna worldwide.
Dogtooth Tuna
The Dogtooth Tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor) is a large pelagic fish belonging to the Gymnosard genus. Despite its name, it's not actually a true tuna but resembles one externally. Found in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region, it inhabits depths ranging from 33 to 1000 feet (10 to 300m).
This formidable predator prefers to lurk near reefs, underwater rocks, and steep cliffs. With lengths reaching up to 8.2 feet (2.5m) and weights up to 287 pounds (130kg), it commands respect in its habitat.
Competing fiercely for food with other fish, including sharks and groupers, the Dogtooth Tuna hunts solo or in small groups. Its diet primarily consists of small schooling fish and squid.
During the fight, it puts up a formidable resistance, often attempting sharp dives to the depths in an effort to break free by rubbing the fishing line against bottom objects.
The tackle for fishing all types of tuna remains quite similar.
Anglers favor Finger Mullets, Scaled Sardines, Japanese Flying Squid, Japanese Jack Mackerel, and Japanese Anchovy as preferred baits, along with Plugs, Trolling Octopus, Squid Chain, Crankbaits, Minnows, Medium Spoons, and Poppers as preferred lures.
When it comes to fishing methods, trolling stands out as the top choice for targeting any tuna species.
We've covered tuna, so now let's explore the other fish species found in this region.
Giant Grouper
Giant Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) is a large demersal fish of the Serranidae family. It inhabits coastal waters at depths up to 330 feet (100m). It can reach the length of 8.9 feet (2.7m) and the weight of up to 882 lbs (400kg).
The Giant Grouper is a predator that is not picky about food and prefers ambush hunting. Spiny lobster is its favorite food. It also feeds on crabs, a variety of fish (including small sharks and rays), and young sea turtles. It’s better to use bottom tackle with large animal bait to catch it.
Preferred baits: Japanese Spiny Lobster, Gutted Fish, Large Fish Strips, Crab, Japanese Jack Mackerel, Scaled Sardines
Ruby Snapper
The Ruby Snapper (Etelis carbunculus) is a demersal fish found in the Indo-Pacific region, belonging to the Lutjanidae family. It thrives near rocky reefs, typically dwelling at depths ranging from 300 to 1300 feet (90-400m), with a minimum depth of 33 feet (10m). It can grow up to 77 lbs (35kg) in weight.
Feeding on fish, squid, crustaceans, and cephalopods, the Ruby Snapper often forms small groups. It's commonly caught using bottom or jig tackle, with shiny and luminous elements attracting this species.
Preferred baits include Medium Fish Strips, Large Fish Strips, Crab, Japanese Jack Mackerel, Scaled Sardines, and Japanese Flying Squid, while Pilkers are favored as lures to reel in this fish.
We believe that Ruby Snapper can take part in the Prettiest-fish-in-the-game contest and have all the chances to win. What do you think?
Green Jobfish
The Green Jobfish (Aprion virescens) is another bottom-dwelling species found in the waters of Kaiji No Ri. Belonging to the Lutjanidae family, it inhabits the Indo-Pacific region, favoring coastal areas near rocky and coral reefs, as well as channels and deep lagoons at depths ranging from 3 to 400 feet (1-120m). It can weigh up to 35 lbs (16kg).
Feeding primarily on fish, the Green Jobfish also consumes crustaceans, cephalopods, and zooplankton. It may lead a solitary life or form small groups. Bottom and jig tackle are most effective for catching it.
Preferred baits include Sea Worms, Shrimp, Gulf Shrimp, Crab, Japanese Jack Mackerel, Japanese Anchovy, Finger Mullets, and Scaled Sardines. Pilkers are the preferred lure for attracting this fish.
Mahi-Mahi
Mahi-Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), also known as Common Dolphinfish, is a predatory medium-sized pelagic fish. It is very common in tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans. It can reach up to 88 lbs (40kg) in weight and more than 6.5 feet (2m) in length.
This fish lives and hunts near the surface in the open ocean. Its young flock into small groups, and large fish lead a solitary lifestyle. It feeds on zooplankton, flying fish, mackerel, squid, and crabs. It hunts during the day, but can also be active on bright nights.
You can spot the location of Mahi-Mahi on the high seas thanks to birds, Sargassum algae, and a variety of debris that float on the surface and around which forage fish gather. You can catch it by casting and high-speed trolling with artificial lures, as well as live bait.
Preferred baits: Grub, Gulf Shrimp, Finger Mullets, Scaled Sardine, Japanese Jack Mackerel, Japanese Anchovy, Japanese Flying Squid.
The Striped Marlin (Kajikia audax) is a formidable pelagic predator inhabiting the surface layers of tropical and temperate waters across the Indo-Pacific region. It can potentially grow up to 496 lbs (225kg) in weight and length surpassing 13 feet (4m).
Preferring a solitary existence, Striped Marlins exhibit a unique behavior of cooperative hunting, where multiple individuals target the same prey schools. This nocturnal predator is most active during the night, often seen breaching the water's surface in pursuit of its prey.
Feeding primarily on schooling fish and cephalopods, Striped Marlins are sought after by anglers using trolling techniques with artificial lures or live bait.
Preferred baits: Finger Mullets, Scaled Sardines, Japanese Jack Mackerel, Japanese Anchovy, Japanese Flying Squid.
The Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) reigns as the largest member of the Carangidae family, boasting weights exceeding 176 lbs (80kg) and lengths surpassing 6 feet (1.8m). Thriving in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate waters, this semi-pelagic predator is a formidable force.
Living mostly by the deep-sea structures like caves, reefs, and shipwrecks, the Greater Amberjack sustains itself on a diet of fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans. Known colloquially as the "reef donkey" for its tenacious fighting spirit, it's often encountered as bycatch during bottom fishing expeditions alongside Snappers and Groupers.
To reel in this prized catch, anglers employ trolling and casting techniques, utilizing both live baits and artificial lures.
Preferred baits: Gulf Shrimp, Crab, Finger Mullets, Scaled Sardines, Japanese Jack Mackerel, Japanese Anchovy, Japanese Flying Squid, Medium Fish Strips, Large Fish Strips
Japanese Amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata) is a medium-sized schooling pelagic predatory fish of the Carangidae family, also known as Yellowtail. It inhabits open and coastal waters of Japan, Korea, Taiwan. This fish can reach up to 88 lbs (40kg) in weight and 5 feet (1.5m) in length. It feeds on small schooling fish in all layers of water. During the day it tends to stay at a greater depth than at night.
Yellowtail is highly valued in Japan as a fish for sushi and sashimi, as well as for canning.
Japanese Amberjack is often caught as a bycatch during bottom fishing, and can also be caught with trolling or casting. It responds well to fast retrieval with strong and frequent tossing of the bait in the water.
Preferred baits: Shrimp, Finger Mullets, Scaled Sardines, Japanese Jack Mackerel, Japanese Anchovy.
Giant Trevally (Caranx ignobilis) is a large coastal semi-pelagic fish that is common in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. It’s the largest representative of its kind, reaching 176 lbs (80kg) in weight and 6.5 feet (2m) in length.
Its young live in shallow bays, lagoons, intertidal zones, and estuaries, while adults live in deep pools, near atolls in the open sea, and on deep water reefs. This fish is territorial and leads a solitary life, but sometimes creates small groups.
It hunts around the clock and in all layers of water, but prefers to spend most of the time at the bottom. The Giant Trevally feeds mainly on fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, and doesn’t mind carrion fish. You can successfully catch it with the bottom and spinning tackle.
Preferred baits: Gulf Shrimp, Crab, Finger Mullets, Scaled Sardines, Japanese Jack Mackerel, Japanese Anchovy, Japanese Flying Squid, Medium Fish Strips, Large Fish Strips.
Narrow-Barred Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) is a large pelagic coastal schooling fish of the Scombridae family, also known as the Spanish Mackerel. It can reach up to 154 lbs (70kg) in weight and about 8 feet (2.4m) in length.
It can be found at depths of up to 2132 feet (650m) in the tropical waters of the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. This fish prefers to settle near reefs, but can also swim in estuaries and lagoons.
This is an undemanding and voracious predator that hunts around the clock. Small fish, shrimp, and squid make up the basis of its diet.
Gulf Shrimp, Finger Mullets, Scaled Sardine, Japanese Jack Mackerel, Japanese Anchovy, Japanese Flying Squid are commonly chosen by anglers as preferred baits, and the preferred lures usually are Pilkers, Bucktails, Plugs,Trolling Octopuses, Crankbait, Minnows, Medium Spoon and Soft Baits (Grubs, Shads).
Striped Bonito
Striped Bonito (Sarda orientalis) is a small schooling pelagic coastal fish of the Scombridae family. It can reach just over 22 lbs (10kg) in weight and more than 3 feet (1m) in length. It lives in subtropical and tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans at depths up to 300 feet (90m).
This fish forms mixed flocks with other mackerels of its size. Small fish, shrimp, and squid make up the basis of its diet. You can catch it by casting and trolling with artificial lures, as well as with live baits.
Preferred baits: Shrimp, Gulf Shrimp, Finger Mullets, Scaled Sardine, Japanese Jack Mackerel, Japanese Anchovy
Japanese Jack Mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) is a rather large pelagic schooling fodder fish of the Carangidae family. It can reach 1.6 feet (0.5m) in length, and its weight can be more than 1.3 lb (0.6kg). It lives at depths of up to 900 feet (275m) on sandy bottom areas in the coastal zones of the East China and Japan Seas, as well as off the coast of southern Japan, the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan in waters of 60–80° F (15-27°C).
The Japanese Jack Mackerel feeds on small crustaceans (copepods), as well as shrimps and small fish. You can successfully catch it from berths in marinas both during the day and at night (especially with a torch), with a spinning rod using small lures, as well as with float tackle using animal baits.
Preferred baits: Sea Worms, Finger Mullets, Shrimp, Japanese Anchovy.
Japanese Anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) is a small schooling pelagic fish up to 8 inches (20cm) long that weighs up to 3.5 Oz (100g). It lives in the upper layers of water, but can be found at a depth of up to 1380 feet (420m) in coastal areas, in the south of the Sea of Okhotsk, in the Japan, Yellow, and East China Seas, as well as off the Japan’s Pacific coast.
The Japanese Anchovy is a plankton feeder. Adults mostly feed on zooplankton: copepods, eggs and larvae of fish and spineless. This fish is an important product of commercial fishing. You can also catch the Anchovy with float and spinning tackle during any time of the day.
Usual preferred baits are Natural Eggs, Sea Worms and Spawn Sack, and preferred lures are Soft Baits like Worms and Slugs.
Bigfin Reef Squid
The Bigfin Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana) is a small mollusc, growing up to 2.6 feet(80cm) in length and weighing as much as 4.4 lbs (2kg). Resembling a cuttlefish due to its long fins, it's commonly found in the temperate and tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Inhabiting depths of up to 330 feet (100m) near coastlines, particularly around rocks and coral reefs, this squid tends to gather in groups and remains active day and night, although it may be less active during daylight hours.
As a voracious predator, its diet consists mainly of crustaceans and small fish, and it forages in shallow and deep waters across all layers. Anglers can catch the Bigfin Reef Squid year-round using a spinning rod equipped with squid and jig lures.
Preferred baits: Shrimp, Gulf Shrimp,Finger Mullets, Scaled Sardine, Japanese Jack Mackerel, Japanese Anchovy.
Preferred lures: Pilkers, Squid Jigs.
Here’s the list of all the fish species you'll encounter in the waters of Kaiji No Ri, but that's not all we have for you!
As mentioned earlier, the upcoming ocean map will be over 20 times bigger than all the other maps in the game combined. As you can see from the fish guide above, there will be a significant presence of highly migratory fish species in this expansive location. The ocean update comes packed with several major features that are entirely new to the game and one of them, which we've dubbed Fish Active Zones, will provide anglers with valuable hints on where to find feeding grounds, the areas where fish gather to feed on bait fish, plankton, or other food sources.
These areas are typically characterized by natural features or phenomena that attract fish, such as underwater structures, currents, temperature changes, or concentrations of prey. For example, seabirds such as seagulls often hover or dive over areas where fish are feeding near the surface. Such behavior indicates the presence of baitfish being chased by larger predatory fish. In such hotspots you'll witness different species of tuna leaping out of the water to hunt small fish. We won’t reveal all the secrets now to ensure your adventure remains unspoiled when the ocean map is released, but to give you an idea of the feature's complexity, the Fish Active Zones will dynamically change based on factors such as weather, time of day, and other natural elements, mirroring real-life conditions.
Last but not least, we've covered the fish you can catch, but there's more. While cruising on your yacht through the ocean, you'll encounter pods of dolphins and majestic whales breaching the surface. These ocean creatures will not only add to the thrill of your stay, but they'll also serve other purposes, which you'll discover later on.
We feel your anticipation for the ocean update, and we share your excitement! Your support and attention mean the world to us as we work to bring you this new experience. Stay tuned for our next DevDiary, where we'll explore the Kaaiji No Ri location and its new features in more detail.
*All visual content in this DevDiary is crafted to showcase the upcoming features; however, there may be slight differences upon the actual release of the update