Have you ever seen UMI-HOTARU?

The sea-firefly is UMI-HOTARU in Japanese. Although you may know the firefly, you may have never heard the sea-firefly. The sea-firefly is one of bioluminescence species and they produce a beautiful and small light same as the firefly that live on the ground, but they live in seawater.

The dried sea-firefly, Length of body  1.5~3 mm (1/16"~1/8")

The sea-firefly can be seen at the beach in Japan with a little luck. I went to collect them last week with my children. At the fishing harbor near the beach, I set the trap into the sea to collect the sea-firefly.

The trap bottle containing the chicken

20 minutes later, I retrieved the bottle, then...We saw the beautiful blue lighted seawater in the bottle! I put the seawater on the ground, then the blue lights was being moved slowly. Also the sea-firefly on my hand was lit. It was first experience for us. We were so impressed with this scene and had a valuable experience.

The lighted sea-firefly in the bottle at home

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Have you ever caught "HIRAME"? ~My Lure Fishing Report~

Do you know "HIRAME"? A flatfish is "HIRAME" in Japanese. I went saltwater lure fishing with my son last weekend. The target fish was "MAGOCHI" (Platycephalus) which lives on the bottom of the sea. It is major fishing target in Japan. I do not know if it is a Japanese style, but the picture below shows the tackle for MAGOCHI fishing.

Plastic Worms (ECOGEAR 3-1/4", Color: Pearl White) and Jig Head (1/8 oz)

At fishing site I repeatedly cast the plastic worm to the bottom of the sea and felt response. But it was just heavy, not move...Sea garbage? I spooled up the fishing reel slowly and then... "I have caught HIRAME, not MAGOCHI! It is expevsive fish and will be a delicious dish!" Of course, my family enjoyed the fried flatfish for dinner on the same day.

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