by R Yamamoto
Introduction
The “Master of Shimanto river” is an another name of “Akame”. Its scientific name is Lates japonicas.
Description & Taxonomy
First,“Akame” is 1m long. Secondly, they are named “akame” in Japanese which means “red eye.” This comes from their eyes shining red in the dark when light is reflected. Their face is similar to perch. We can fish for it in Cape Asizuri in Kochi. Finally,they are kind of perch. There are some kind of them. For example “Baramandy”which lives in southeast Asia. Taiwan and Australia “Nile pearch”and “Pseud Akame”
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Range & Ecology
“Akame” live in Japan only.In especially,West Japan. Their fry live in water-weed and eating water-insect. And when they grew up,they can lap ocean and river some level, starting eat fish.
Use & Conservation
“Akame” is usually cooked into sashimi and salty baked fish. And they are popular for target of fishing. However their unusual size has led to over fishing. As a result, their number are decreasing.
Viewing
If we continue over hunting to them,”Master” may disappear. It is duty for us to protect unusual creature. And I like fishing very much. So I want to fishing Akame. I heard we can fish Akame in Cape Asizuri from person of Kochi. Two weeks after, we will have a summer vacation. So,I think I will go Cape Asizuri for fishing Akame.
Life in Kochi 
Hi…my name is Pete and im from Australia. I am a keen fisherman and i would one day love to catch an Akame. My wife is Japanese (Takamatsu) and i regularly come to the Japan. Could you offer me a little advise about catching Akame? Habits? where to catch one? best time of year? etc..i would appreciate any advise you could offer.
We get a similar fish in Australia called Barramundi…which belongs to the lates family as does the Akame. Our Barramundi grows to a similar size, similar diet, but our Barramundi is a tropical fish found in the northern parts of the country.
Its good that you have a desire to protect your Akame fish stocks. They sound like a an iconic japanese sports fish and i reckon they should be protected at all costs. I would love to see catch and release only fishing for the Akame. If there numbers increase people (like myself) would travel from all over the world , spend a lot of money…to try and catch one ….but more importantly, it would be nice if they were still around so that future generations of Japanese can enjoy the experience of catching an Akame…
PS…i visited Kochi today…a very beautiful part of Japan, i want to come back next time and try and catch…then release…a Japanese Akame 🙂
Best wishes
Pete from Australia
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