What is Ajing? The Complete Guide to Ajing Fishing
- Ajing Store
- Mar 7
- 9 min read
Updated: Aug 18
🎓 This article is Part of the Ajing store Academy (Level 1).
In Japanese, Aji (鯵) translates to Horse Mackerel. The suffix "-ing" is added to describe the act of fishing for them. Therefore, Ajing simply means fishing for horse mackerel using artificial lures.
If you have been following the European Light Rock Fishing (LRF) scene lately, you have probably noticed a massive surge in a specific Japanese term: Ajing. You see specialized rods, microscopic jig heads, and incredibly thin lines all dedicated to this one style of fishing.
But what exactly is Ajing?
Is it just a fancy word for ultralight fishing, or is it an entirely different sport?
In this guide, we are going to break down everything you need to know about Ajing, why it has become the most addictive light game discipline in the world, and how you can get started right now.
What is Ajing?
While it started in Japan targeting the Japanese Horse Mackerel, the exact same techniques, gear, and principles apply perfectly to the Atlantic Horse Mackerel (known as Carapau in Portugal or Scad in the UK) found all along the European coast.
However, Ajing is not just about the species; it is about the method. It is a highly technical, finesse-driven approach to ultralight lure fishing.
Ajing Is More Than a Species
Ajing started with horse mackerel as the target, but the word today also describes a style of fishing built around extremely light presentations and specialised tackle.
The fish is important, but the method is what makes Ajing fascinating.
You are trying to present a very small lure naturally, control its position in the water column and detect subtle changes in what happens to it. That can mean:
✓ a fish touching the lure
✓ the lure stopping during the fall
✓ a change in line tension
✓ bottom contact
✓ current affecting the lure
✓ or a fish simply loading the rod rather than producing a dramatic strike.
The objective is not to make the biggest movement possible.
It is to make the right movement and detect what happens next.
That question will take you much further than simply buying more lures.
Ajing vs. LRF: What is the Difference?
Many beginners confuse Ajing with general Light Rock Fishing (LRF). While they share similarities, there is a distinct difference in philosophy:
General LRF: A versatile, multi-species approach. You might bounce a lure on the bottom for wrasse, drop a micro-metal for small sea bass, or target gobies in rock pools. It is about catching whatever is biting.
Ajing: A highly specialized discipline. Everything, from the rod taper to the line material, is engineered for one specific task: detecting the microscopic bite of a horse mackerel in the middle of the water column and hooking its paper-thin mouth without tearing it.
Because Ajing gear is so refined, many European anglers actually prefer using Ajing setups for their everyday LRF sessions, as the sensitivity is unmatched.
Why is Ajing So Addictive?
Horse mackerel are not massive predators; a trophy fish might only be 30 to 40 centimeters long. So why are grown adults spending hundreds of euros on high-end Japanese gear to catch them?
The "Tick": Aji do not aggressively smash lures like a bass. They inhale their prey by opening their mouths and creating a vacuum. On a highly sensitive Ajing rod, this registers as a tiny, electric "tick" down the line. Feeling that bite and instantly setting the hook requires intense focus and is incredibly rewarding.
Accessibility: You don't need a boat or a massive beachcaster. Ajing is predominantly done at night in lit harbors, piers, and breakwaters. It is the perfect after-work fishing session.
The Challenge: Aji travel in schools and feed at specific depths. One night they might be feeding on the surface, and the next they are glued to the bottom. Finding the school, figuring out the right depth (the strike zone), and choosing the exact lure profile they want is a puzzle that keeps anglers coming back.
Why Does Ajing Use Such Light Tackle?
At first, very light tackle can seem unnecessary.
Why use a specialised rod for a lure that weighs less than a gram?
Because the problem is not simply catching the fish.
The problem is controlling the presentation.
A very light jighead behaves differently from a heavier one. It sinks more slowly, is affected differently by wind and current, and can be much harder to cast and control with conventional tackle.
A specialised Ajing setup is designed to make these tiny presentations usable. The rod, reel, line, leader and jighead are not independent pieces. They form a system.
The lighter the presentation becomes, the more every part of the system matters.
The Essential Ajing Gear (What You Need to Start)
Now that you understand why the setup matters, let's look at the main pieces of the Ajing system.
Here is the basic setup you need to get started:
1. The Rod
Ajing rods are typically short (between 5'4" and 6'8") and extremely crisp. They feature highly resonant blanks to transmit the smallest vibrations. You can choose between a Solid Tip (which bends easily when the fish inhales the lure, acting as an auto-hook setter) or a Tubular Tip (which provides ultimate tactile sensitivity).
2. The Reel
Balance is everything. You need a small, lightweight spinning reel to match the feather-light rod. A 1000 or C2000 size reel with a shallow spool is the industry standard.
3. The Line
This is where Ajing gets highly technical. Standard braided line floats and catches the wind, which ruins your presentation when casting 1-gram lures. Serious Ajing anglers use:
Polyester (Ester) Line: Sinks well, has zero stretch, and transmits bites perfectly.
Micro PE Braid: (Usually # 0.2 to # 0.4) for high strength and sensitivity, paired with a fluorocarbon leader.
4. Jig Heads & Soft Baits
Forget heavy weights. Ajing is dominated by tungsten or lead jig heads weighing between 0.5g and 3.0g. These are paired with slim, pin-tail soft plastics (usually 1.5 to 2.5 inches long) that mimic tiny baitfish, plankton, or worms.
The Basic Technique: "Count Down and Fall"
Ready to make your first cast? The most effective Ajing technique is simple to learn but takes a lifetime to master:
Cast your jig head into a lit area of the harbor.
Count it down: Let the lure sink and count the seconds (e.g., 1, 2, 3...). This helps you figure out what depth the fish are feeding at.
The Action: Give the rod tip 2 or 3 quick, sharp twitches upwards to make the lure dart.
The Fall (Crucial Step): Keep your line slightly tense and let the lure slowly fall back down. 90% of Aji bites happen on the fall. If you feel a "tick" or see the line stop sinking, strike instantly!
Where to Fish Ajing in Europe
One of the great advantages of Ajing is that the fish are everywhere. Horse mackerel are found year-round along the entire Atlantic coast. Portugal, Spain, France, the British Isles, and throughout the Mediterranean.
Harbour walls and marinas are the most productive and beginner-friendly locations.
The combination of structure, shelter from wind, and artificial lighting at night creates a perfect feeding environment for horse mackerel. Fish gather under the lights, which attract plankton and small baitfish, which attract the Aji.
Piers and jetties offer more exposure and often hold larger fish, especially when there is current running underneath. Work different depths until you find where the school is holding.
Rocky shores and breakwaters are where Ajing overlaps with LRF. More varied species, more structure to lose jigheads in, but also more rewarding when you find the fish.
In Portugal specifically, the coast from the Algarve to Cascais produces horse mackerel year-round, with the best sessions typically from late spring through winter when the fish move closer to shore and feed more aggressively.
Night Ajing vs Day Ajing — Which Is Better?
The honest answer is night Ajing wins almost every time, and here is why.
Night Ajing Harbour lights and pier lights attract plankton, which attracts baitfish, which attracts horse mackerel. At night the fish come to you, they are more active, less pressured, and more likely to commit to a lure. The water is calmer, the environment quieter, and the sensitivity of your setup feels amplified. Many experienced Ajing anglers fish almost exclusively at night.
Day Ajing
Harder, but not impossible. In daylight the fish are deeper, more scattered, and significantly more cautious. You will need lighter jigheads, smaller soft plastics, and more patience. Overcast days and early morning sessions just after sunrise are the most productive daylight windows.
The golden rule
If you are new to Ajing, start at a lit harbour wall after dark. The learning curve drops dramatically when the fish are actively feeding directly beneath your feet.
The Most Common Mistakes Beginners Make in Ajing
Learning Ajing is straightforward.
But there are mistakes that cost almost every beginner their first few sessions:
Using too heavy a jighead
The instinct is to go heavier so you can feel the lure. In Ajing, the opposite is true, lighter jigheads fall slower, stay in the strike zone longer, and produce more bites.
Start at 1g and only go heavier if the current forces you to.
Using the wrong line
Thick monofilament or standard braid kills sensitivity and ruins the presentation of light lures. Ester line or thin PE (#0.2 to #0.4) paired with a short fluorocarbon leader is the correct setup.
Missing the bite
Horse mackerel bites in Ajing are not pulls, they are a tiny weight, a pause, a resistance that lasts less than a second. If you are waiting to feel something dramatic, you will miss every fish. Focus on anything that feels different. When in doubt, strike.
Fishing only one depth
Horse mackerel school at a specific depth on any given day. If you are not getting bites, count the lure down to a different depth before retrieving. Work from the surface down until you find the fish.
Using lures that are too big
Two inches is already a large Ajing soft plastic. When the bite is difficult, go smaller — 1.5 inches or less. The difference between a dead session and a bent rod is often half an inch of lure.
Ajing in Portugal and Spain — What You Need to Know
Portugal and Spain are two of the best countries in Europe for Ajing, for one simple reason: horse mackerel are everywhere, year-round, and the culture of light saltwater fishing from harbour walls and rocky shores is deeply embedded in both countries.
In Portugal, the ports of Cascais, Sesimbra, Setubal, Peniche, and the Algarve coastline all hold horse mackerel consistently. The fish are present in summer but feed most aggressively from September, when water temperatures drop and the schools move into shallower water. Night sessions at lit harbour walls in Cascais, Setubal and Sesimbra are some of the most productive Ajing you will find in Europe.
In Spain, the Cantabrian coast, the Galician rias, and the Mediterranean ports of Catalonia all produce excellent Ajing throughout the year. The Basque Country and Asturias in particular have developed a strong Ajing community over the last few years.
The tackle demands are the same as in Japan. Light ester line, jigheads from 0.2g to 2g, and slim soft plastics in natural colours. The fish are identical to their Japanese counterparts, and the techniques that work in Osaka work just as well in Lisbon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ajing
What fish can you catch with Ajing?
Horse mackerel is the primary target, but Ajing tackle and techniques also produce sea bream, wrasse, small sea bass, garfish, and a variety of rockfish species. The ultralight setup makes every fish — regardless of size — a rewarding catch.
What weight jighead should I use for Ajing?
Between 0.2g and 2g covers the vast majority of situations. Start at 1g in calm, sheltered water. Increase weight only when current or depth forces you to. Lighter is almost always better in Ajing.
What line should I use for Ajing?
Ester line in #0.3 to #0.4 paired with a 60cm to 1m fluorocarbon leader of #1 to #1.5 is the standard Ajing setup. PE braid in #0.2 to #0.3 is an alternative for more experienced anglers. Avoid standard nylon or monofilament — the stretch kills sensitivity.
Is Ajing good for beginners?
Yes — with the right gear and location. Start at a lit harbour wall after dark with a 1g jighead and a 2 inch soft plastic on ester line. The fish will come to you, and the technique is simple enough to learn in one session. The challenge is in the refinement, not the basics.
Do I need expensive gear to start Ajing?
You need the right gear, not necessarily the most expensive. A decent Ajing rod (Starting with the Slash Silent Vision Type) , a size 1000 reel, ester line, and a selection of jigheads and soft plastics from quality JDM brands will catch fish from the first cast.
Ajing.Store has all its stock ready to ship and stocks the full range of JDM Ajing and LRF tackle shipped directly from Portugal across Europe with no import taxes, fast and in 1 or 2 days.
What is the difference between Ajing and LRF?
Ajing is a specific discipline within LRF focused entirely on horse mackerel using highly specialised ultralight gear. LRF is broader, it covers multiple species and techniques on light tackle. All Ajing is LRF, but not all LRF is Ajing.
Enter the World of JDM Light Game
Ajing is more than just fishing; it is a pursuit of perfection. Once you feel that first electric bite on a perfectly balanced ultralight setup, standard fishing will never feel the same again.
At Ajing.store, we specialize in bringing the highest quality Japanese Domestic Market finesse gear directly to Europe. Whether you are looking for your first setup or upgrading to tournament-level ClearBlue rods, we have you covered with fast, tax-free EU shipping.
✓ LESSON COMPLETE
Comments