Squid Jig Sizes Explained: Which Size Should You Use?

Walk into any tackle shop and you'll see squid jigs labelled 1.5, 1.8, 2.2, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5. Those numbers come from the Japanese egi sizing system, and choosing the right one makes a real difference to how many squid you catch. Here's a simple guide for Australian conditions.

What Do Squid Jig Sizes Mean?

Squid jig sizes (often written as #2.5 or size 3.0) are a traditional Japanese measure of jig length. The bigger the number, the longer and heavier the jig. A 1.5 is under 5cm long and weighs just a few grams, while a 3.5 is around 10.5cm and about 20g.

Size Guide

1.5 To 2.2: Small Squid And Finesse Fishing

Small jigs are ideal for small calamari in calm harbours, shallow weedy bays and spots that get a lot of fishing pressure, where squid have seen plenty of big jigs. They're also a good choice when squid follow your jig but won't commit. Try the Yamashita Naory Range Hunter, a micro jig built for exactly this.

2.5: The Land Based All Rounder

If you only buy one size, make it a 2.5 or 3.0. A 2.5 casts well on light gear, suits most harbour and estuary spots and is small enough to tempt fussy squid.

3.0: The Most Versatile Size

A 3.0 is the go to size for a lot of Australian squid anglers. It casts further than a 2.5, gets down a little faster and still appeals to average sized squid.

3.5: Bigger Squid, Deeper Water And Wind

Reach for a 3.5 when you're chasing bigger squid, fishing deeper water off rocks or breakwalls, or dealing with wind and current. The extra weight helps you cast further and keep in touch with your jig.

Size And Sink Rate Work Together

Bigger jigs generally sink faster, but sink rate also depends on the jig's design. Many jigs come in shallow (slow sinking), basic and deep versions. A shallow jig hangs over weed beds and shallow reef, while a deep jig gets to the bottom quickly in deeper water or current.

Some small jigs are built to sink fast. The Naory Range Hunter 1.8 Basic sinks at around 3.2 seconds per metre, close to a full size 3.5 jig, so you can fish deeper water or current with a small profile.

Which Sizes Should You Buy First?

For most land based squid fishing, start with a few 2.5 and 3.0 jigs in different colours: a natural colour for clear water, an orange or pink for dirty water and low light, and a glow jig for night. Add a couple of 1.8 to 2.2 jigs for shy squid, and some 3.5s if you fish deeper water or windy spots.

Browse the full range in our squid jigs collection, or stock up on affordable jigs in our $5 squid jig range.

Always check your state's fishing rules, including bag and size limits, before you head out.