Hairtail schools that overwintered in the southern East China Sea during winter move northward as spring passes. According to the fisheries outlook released monthly by the National Institute of Fisheries Science, June is the period when hairtail firmly establish themselves in the waters around Jeju and the eastern and western coasts of the South Sea. The Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) “Fisheries Outlook” likewise analyzes the seasonality of hairtail catches as a pattern concentrated in the June‑October window. In other words June marks the start of the season.

01Where — the three major regions for June hairtail

The core regions for June hairtail trips are three. Their common feature is deep trenches near offshore waters or around artificial reefs this point. Hairtail stay at deep depths during the day and rise to the mid‑water column around sunset.

Northern and eastern Jeju
Chuja‑do · offshore of Jeju Harbor · near Udo
80–150m
First to form a fish school
Eastern South Sea
Tongyeong · Yokji‑do · Maemuldo
60–120m
Pick up in earnest from mid‑June
Western South Sea
Yeosu Geomundo · Baekdo
70–130m
Peak from late June to early July

02When — time of day and tide

The time when hairtail bites are most concentrated is 30 minutes before sunset to 2 hours after sunset, and Around midnight, 1~2 hours It is. In this segment, the fish school rises to the mid‑water column of 30~60 m, and responds most actively to the fishing light.

⏱ June hairtail golden time
~ before sunset
Fish school waiting at deep depths
Sunset ±2 h
First peak · mid‑water ascent
Late night
Calm period · intermittent bites
Midnight ±1 h
Second peak

Tide is between mid‑spring tide and neap tide, just before and after the spring tide is generally reliable. At the peak of the spring tide the current is too strong for rig control, and at neap tide the fish are scattered resulting in brief bites. Check the tidal table from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Fisheries Information Center for the fishing date in advance.

One more thing. Hairtail’s response to the fishing light diminishes when the moon is too bright. The three days around the full moon see a noticeable drop in bites, according to field guides.

03How — rig and operation

Rig specs

Main braided line
PE 4~6
Leader
Carbon 8~12 · 1.5~2 m
Spreader rig
3~5‑stage multi‑hook rig (stage spacing 50~70 cm)
Sinker
80~150 (adjust according to current and depth)
Hook
Hairtail‑specific #18~22

Bait

Operation sequence

  1. When the sinker touches the bottom, lift it immediately by 5–10 m — leaving it on the bottom lets the fish bite first.
  2. Set the rig precisely at the depth where the fish‑finder signal is detected.
  3. When a bite comes Do not hookset immediately; wait one beat. Hairtail tend to take the bait once, rise, and then bite again.
  4. If one fish is hooked, another often bites on the spare rig, so keep tension for 1–2 minutes while waiting.

04First June outing: the three most common mistakes.

⚠ Early‑season hairtail: avoiding this alone cuts failures by half.
  1. Targeting only overly deep water.— In early to mid June, fish schools are still near the surface. Insisting on depths over 80 m only increases empty rigs.
  2. Turning on the fishing light too early.— A strong light before sunset actually scatters the fish. Increase brightness gradually after dark.
  3. Using a leader that is too thick.— Early‑season hairtail are surprisingly picky. Leaders 12‑go or larger are recommended for the later season.

05Safety line

In June, the South Sea and Jeju enter the monsoon front’s influence. Check the Korea Meteorological Administration’s marine buoy data (near‑coastal wind speed and wave height) twice: six hours before departure and at dawn on the day. If wind exceeds 12 m/s or waves exceed 2 m, postpone the trip. That is the rule.

June hairtail, as the phrase ‘start of the season’ suggests, set the rhythm for the year’s outings by mastering where, when, and how to fish them.