"I gained a house, a boat, and a partner" The life a fisherman caught on Chuja Island after leaving everything behind 19 years ago

Forty-two islands of various sizes are scattered across the vast ocean. Chuja Island, which exudes a different charm from Jeju Island, is called a 'dream sanctuary' by anglers. Especially when autumn arrives, the waters in front of Chuja Island transform into a splendid golden fishing ground where it is truly 'half water, half fish.' According to EBS, Chuja Island boasts an abundance of fish species such that fishing is possible all year round, as the water temperature remains above 10 degrees Celsius even in the middle of winter.

Meeting the 'Prince of the Sea' through the rough waves of rocky coasts

The highlight of fishing at Chuja Island is rock fishing. Famous spots like 'Saemal' north of Sangchuja Island are difficult to access and have many reefs, making them points where fishing experts compete their skills. The video explains that rock fishing is better than boat fishing, as it involves running around outside. Since one must pull out large fish in an environment with shallow depths and many reefs, there is an atmosphere among anglers where catching a fish from the rocks is more highly recognized, even if the size of the catch is the same as elsewhere.

In this area, species referred to as the 'Big Four' are caught, including rock bream, largescale blackfish, red sea bream, and black sea bream. In particular, the rock bream, called the Prince of the Sea, boasts powerful strength. The video captures the moment of pulling up the largest among those exceeding 25cm. Meanwhile, when fish that are not the target species are caught, they are sometimes enjoyed as 'saekkosi' by slicing the skin, but experts often release them since they are not the target species.

The story of catching everything in life through fishing

The story of Lee Chang-il, who came to the island recklessly 19 years ago because he loved fishing and is from Gangwon Province, is special. He settled on Chuja Island for fishing, and in the process, he found a house, a boat, and a partner. He shared his thoughts, saying that he succeeded because of fishing, as he bought a house, bought a boat, and met his wife, making it a successful life.

To him, fishing is his livelihood. Visiting this place two or three times every year for nearly 20 years, he stated that nothing is a better investment than fishing, noting that Chuja Island has the best environment, the best compensation, and the best feeling of the catch.

A silver sprint cutting through the dawn, the taste of autumn Japanese Spanish mackerel

The day for fishermen begins at 5 a.m., before dawn breaks. When bait is thrown to fish for Japanese Spanish mackerel, the mackerel rush toward the bait, which takes on the same shape as an anchovy in the water. In the video, a scene is captured where a large Japanese Spanish mackerel weighing about 3.5kg leaps out of the water. Chuja Island fishermen say that just as the land sees a bountiful grain harvest in autumn, the sea also has everything available in autumn, such as Japanese Spanish mackerel, sea bream, olive flounder, yellowtail, and yellow croaker.

The autumn delicacy of Chuja Island is undoubtedly Japanese Spanish mackerel. Autumn Japanese Spanish mackerel, whose flesh firms up and becomes oily from this time of year, is something hard to taste on the mainland. The 'Spanish mackerel samhap'—eating freshly caught, fresh Japanese Spanish mackerel sashimi wrapped in seaweed and kimchi made last year—conveys the taste of living in Chuja.