Australian Fish Photos, Seafood Photographs and Information

Directory & Info for Fishing, Angling, Fishing Tackle, Fishing Guides, Fly Fishing, Bass Fishing, Sports fishing, Game Fishing....
See >> Info on All types of Fishing | Angling | Tackle etc

Photos of  Australian Seafood, Fish, Crustaceans & Cephalopods and Information on each....

Beche De Mer
(Sea Cucumber - Trepang)

Fishing for Squid | Squid Jigging :

Squid are an excellent bait especially for fish like Jewfish, Kingfish & Snapper.

Squid normally like to hunt around weed & kelp as it provides a bit of cover for them to use when they are hunting & to protect them from predators also. You will find squid in most areas that have a weedy bottom.

Squid will turn up just about anywhere at times so working a squid jig while you are fishing for other species is always worth the effort. At night most wharves that have lights shining on the water are excellent squid areas as the light attracts small fish which the squid hunt.

Squid feed mainly at night and are attracted to light, which is why public piers are good locations for anglers. Hungry squid lurk in the dark fringes near patches of lighted water and then dart into the bright area in pursuit of food such as young herring and other small fishes.

Basic Rules for Squid Jigging:
Fish at night
Select a location where a strong light shines into the water
Try different depths
Try different colors of jigs
Keep the jig moving at all times
Set the hook when you feel the slightest pull on your line

Squid Fishing Gear:
Almost any style of rod and reel will work. Think "light and long" because it's best to have something that is sensitive and telegraphs slight changes.

Squid lures all have the "ray" of upward slanting prongs but from there it's a question of the color and shape you want to test for success.

Successful squidders use anything from six to 20-pound line but the best chances of success come with the lighter line.

Squid lures vary in length and thickness, and color and pattern, but they all have a distinctive upward slanting "ray" or two of sharp prongs.

Since the idea is to attract the attention of the squid that are watching that lighted area in the water, almost all lures are either luminous or have something embedded in them (metal, etc.) to reflect light.

Most squid jigs are made out of tinted, relatively clear plastic. Common colors are blue, pink, green, red, orange, amber and no-color (clear). Commercial jigs commonly range in size between two and four inches although some are twice as long and pencil thin.

Notes:
Squid have a defense mechanism - dark ink. They shoot the ink at intruders who come too close. In the water it is an effective defense that creates a cloud behind which the squid makes a quick getaway.

Don't be overly distressed about getting squid ink on your hands and clothes, however. Not surprisingly, squid ink is water soluble and washes out if you act quickly before it dries.

A second note of caution is the possibility of bites. It's good to remember that these creatures do have a parrot-like beak. Although squid are not likely to bite at a lure, they can and do bite things like food and perceived enemies who are not alert.

See Also:
Arrow Squid Photos & Information
Squid Jigging & How to Catch Squid
Cooking Squid and Squid Recipes
Arrow Squid (Nototodarus gouldi) Commercial Fisheries
Squid Links & Resources