Squiding

[grant H]

hey guys back once again looked at many sites and post but one thing i was wondering is what works best for squid and how do i do that rig. Ive seen the lure then 20cm away a glow stick or another where the jigs are stationary just wondering which is better last week i went all they did was chase and didnt grab is it something im doing?

[tunaticer]

Generally if you see them chase and not grab the jig you need to drop the jig to the bottom and wait a few secs before a firm lift. Often the squid will hit the jig ob the bottom, hence the firm lift to set the barbs. try to imitate a fleeing prawn for your searching.

[MudRiverDan]

They can also be a bit fussy, sometimes they will hit any jig and be very aggressive and other times they will just have a look then swim away.

[marto78]

When the squid are like that you need to use a good quality jig. Anyone of the Japanese squids like Yoshuri or Yamashita will out fish 10 of the cheap ones on any given day IMO. Theres a few techniques in this online mag that may help out.
www.thetightline.com.au/vol3/files/thetightlinevol3.pdf (http://www.thetightline.com.au/vol3/files/thetightlinevol3.pdf)

[Jarrah Jack]

Mexicans are being marketed to death with squidding atm. They are being told to call it egi from now on because those japanese jigs were invented 400 years ago by a guy who had egg for breakfast or something. Anyway those expensive jigs are called egi. There are egi comps and egi nights at the tackle store that got 147 people there last week.

Back to the question though and technique and choice of jig can make a very big difference. One day it will be white next time they won't touch it and will go a natural prawn colour.

Varying your technique, as suggested, helps then having a few different colours can induce a strike when they are playing hard ball. A spray of catch sent can do the job as well.

[Slates]

G'day Grant.
yeah, squidding in Vic has gone a bit mad with all the "egi" talk. The very best at it back in the 80's (and well before that too!) are (were) the Italians and all they used were $2 bargain bin jigs or skewered sand whiting or similar fish and hand lines - no $900 setups with "egi" braid there!

Bear in mind all my squidding experience is in Vic so QLD may differ although a lot of this should be applicable up there.

The very best I've used is a small sand whiting (Safeway if you cannot catch them) skewered on a metal (skewer) jig. These are fairly light so if you are in a current, cast into the currnet so it gets down deep or weight it with a "picker's doom" or channel sinker and put it under a float.
When we go out to target squid, we normally have two rods in holders and cast with two rods. You'd be surprised just how many more squid we get on the rod holder-ed rods! Attach a float to the ones in holders.
Spread your colours and sizes as best as possible as they can be dead fussy and change during the day. I normal go with a pink jig, an orange and a green and start off with smaller jigs first. I have used a few expensive ones and yep, they do work well but am yet to experienec a massive difference although o

Often if the tide is slack, they will not bite so if you can see them there and they are just laying still, by all means drop them a jig but if they refuse all, it may just require the tide to start running. Dead calm days can see them go off the bite too. if it is dead calm, cast a long way from the boat and retreive slowly so the jig is just off the bottom.

If, like you have, see them follow it all the way to the boat, you are doing something right! They are keen, but not aggressive. You can change colours or just drop the rod tip so the jig dives to the bottom. This can often make them grab at it.

Have fun and watch out for the ink!

cheers, NS

[gunna]

Have a look through this site

http://www.squidfish.net/forums/index.php?/topic/2697-squidding-techniques-reaction-bites/

[devocean]

I use the green $1.50 jigs from big w and they work awesome. If they are biting they will take any jig not hungry u have no chance. I also add some berkley plastic goo and that seems to bring them on. I find a consistent slow wind is best

[Tazmaniac]

If they are following but not taking and a change of colour doesn't work, try going down a couple of jig sizes. We do a lot of squidding here in W.A. and find that the small jigs ( 1.8 inch to 2 inch ) will often get strikes when the squid seem a bit "gunshy".
As previously mentioned, when they are touchy the quality jigs ( Yozuri, Haramitsu, etc.) will give better results. These more expensive jigs will also last a lot longer than the cheaper ones. I've usually had best results on orange but have been slaying then lately on a 2.5 inch purple Haramitsu.
Of course when the squid are agressive they will hit anything, I've had them latch onto a sinker !
Cheers,
Taz.

[jtpython]

I squid here alot and have a bit ofWhen squid can be fussy success and the best advice i can give u is buy the size 4 glow jig and buy couple different coloured fluro paint, paint them up and give them ago . Squid are fussy and when you least expect them they'll frenzy up and other times just cruise in for a look. then swish away . But persistance pays off just be patient
JT
This is the last 2 weeks
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo159/jtpython/IMG_1106.jpg
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo159/jtpython/IMG_1110.jpg
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo159/jtpython/IMG_1169.jpg

[bondy99]

JTPython,

I'm very impressed with your catch, makes my taste buds come back to life yummmmm, fresh calamari.

What's the best time of year where you are at for these tigers?

Cheers, Bondy

[Jarrah Jack]

JTPython,

I'm very impressed with your catch, makes my taste buds come back to life yummmmm, fresh calamari.

What's the best time of year where you are at for these tigers?

Cheers, Bondy

From those pics you would have to say now Bondy. Very impressive JT The head and guts make brilliant bait. Snapper love them.

[jtpython]

Winter is the better as u can tell but they we slow coming in this year hence the late season for them . Yup keep heads and wings vaccum seal and keep all year round
JThttp://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo159/jtpython/IMG_1131.jpg

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo159/jtpython/IMG_1128.jpg

[Jarrah Jack]

JT What do you do with the gut. I've found that its the best bait of all as it leaves a strong burley trail and holds the hooks well. Also not difficult to set up in a current so it doesn't spin.

[jtpython]

The guts and ink sacs are stuck all in one bag frozen in freezer. Cause we fishing in 57 metres or so is hard to say if getting a good result with is a such so drop down with large slit in it frozen wait 5 mins give jerk and pull bag back up. But when we tip it out on surface yup leaves a massive burley trail lol
There uis a ink recpie that you can cook up if you would like me to keep the ink sacs for you. The sister tried it one night and said it was an aquired taste lol. You could ask my Dad what ink taste's like last wednesday when hye put a large tiger in the bin let loose full in his face and all over the boat Can laugh now lol
JT

[bondy99]

;D ;D ;D

Yeah, I know all about squid ink too.

jtpython, I'll be in touch later.

Bondy

[daki23]

good info... I'm keen to try and catch some... what are good places to chase squid around mainly or redland bay harbour land or boat? time of day? Also how do u spot them or find them on the fish finder?
cheers
daki

[SWANO1]

JT
can i have 3 kilos of rings and chips please;D;D
they are some cracking tigers there.
cheers swano

[jtpython]

Went out today weather was crappyedy crap crap but got some good squid and red bait pike will post tomorrow am too buggared
Jt