Horse mackerel · Mackerel · Hairtail · Conger eel
Warm water and fish feeding close in. A small sabiki rig from a breakwater catches horse mackerel through most of the evening. Hairtail and conger come out after dark — bring a light.
FIRST-TIME GUIDE
First time fishing in Busan
You don't need a licence, you don't need to book anything, and you don't need to bring gear from home. Here is how a first fishing day in Busan actually works.
Written for the current season · August – October
01
No fishing licence needed
In Korea, rod fishing from the shore needs no licence and no permit.
In many countries you buy a licence before you can cast a line. Korea doesn't work that way — anyone, visitors included, can fish from a breakwater, a pier or the rocks with no paperwork at all. Buy your gear, walk to the water, start fishing.
The few rules that do apply
- 1
Some species have closed seasons and minimum sizes. If you plan to keep what you catch, ask us at the store before you go.
- 2
Working harbours, naval areas and some piers are off-limits. The signs are usually in Korean only, so check before you set off.
- 3
Boat and charter fishing is a different matter — always go with a licensed operator.
- 4
Wear a life jacket on breakwaters and rocks, especially after dark. This is the one thing we'd insist on.
02
What's biting right now
Late summer into autumn is the easiest time of year to fish in Busan. The water is warm, the fish are close to shore, and most of it can be done with light tackle from a breakwater.
Bigfin reef squid · Horse mackerel · Spanish mackerel · Sea bass
Squid season opens and eging becomes the thing to do — cast a squid jig along the rocky coast at dawn or dusk. This is the month most visitors enjoy the most.
Bigfin reef squid · Cuttlefish · Halfbeak · Black seabream · Rockfish
Squid peaks and fish put on weight as the water cools. Halfbeak under a float is easy and fun for a first time; black seabream is the one local anglers chase.
Not sure which suits you? Tell our staff how much time you have and whether you'd rather catch plenty of small fish or wait for one good one — we'll build the setup around that.
03
A sample day
One realistic way to spend a fishing day in Busan, starting from the store.
- 09:30
Start at the store
We open at 09:30. Give us 30–60 minutes and you'll walk out with a rod, a reel, line, terminal tackle and the bait or lures that match this season.
- 11:00
Head to the water
Most Busan spots are 20–40 minutes away by subway or taxi. Songdo Breakwater is the easiest first choice — it sits right beside the beach.
- 12:00
Fish the afternoon
Light gear from the breakwater is enough. Bites usually pick up as the light drops in the late afternoon.
- 18:00
Finish at Jagalchi
However the fishing went, Jagalchi Market is a good ending. You'll see everything Busan's sea actually produces — and you can eat it right there.
04
What to buy before you go
You don't need to bring anything from home. A first setup takes one visit, and our staff will put it together with you in English.
- Rod and reel — a light combo covers almost everything on this coast
- Line, hooks and rigs — sabiki rigs for small fish, squid jigs for eging
- Bait or lures matched to the season
- Pliers, a small cooler or bucket, and a headlamp for the evening
- Life jacket — essential on breakwaters and rocks
How much should I expect to spend?
A complete beginner setup usually starts from around ₩50,000–₩100,000, and there is plenty above that if you want it. Tell the staff your budget and they'll work inside it. Global Tax Free is available, and Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted.
See what's in the store05
Where to go
Three spots that work on a travel day, each next to somewhere worth seeing.
In season nowBreakwaterBeginner OK
Dadaepo Breakwater
다대포 방파제
Wide, flat and forgiving — the easiest place in Busan to make your first cast. Long-casting from the breakwater brings whiting and flounder in summer, black seabream in autumn.
Japanese whitingOlive flounderBlack seabreamHorse mackerel
Nearby · Dadaepo Beach, Sunset Fountain of Dreams, Amisan Observatory
In season nowBreakwaterBeginner OK
Songdo Breakwater
송도 방파제
An easy, beginner-friendly breakwater right beside the beach, and it fishes all year. Rockfish and horse mackerel on light gear are enough to keep the rod bending.
RockfishHorse mackerelMackerelFilefish
Nearby · Songdo Beach, Skywalk, Songdo Bay Station cable car
In season nowMarketBeginner OK
Jagalchi & Nampo
자갈치 · 남포동
Not a fishing spot, but the best place to see what Busan's waters actually produce — and to eat it. Worth a walk before or after your trip.
Nearby · Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, BIFF Square
Ready? Make your Welcome Pass.
Tell us what you want to catch and when you're coming. Show the pass at the counter and our staff already knows what to prepare — and you'll get a fishing sticker while you're at it.
Get your Welcome Pass