How to Catch Squid: The Ultimate Guide

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned angler, this guide provides all the tips, tricks and tools you need to perfect your squid-catching game. Let's dive in and explore the fascinating world of squidding.

Understanding Squid Behaviour

Daytime Behaviour: During the day, squid tend to stay in deeper waters where it’s darker and cooler. They often hide among rocks, seaweed, and other underwater structures to avoid predators. Squid are less active during daylight hours and are generally harder to catch.

Nighttime Behaviour: At night, squid become more active and move to shallower waters to hunt. They are attracted to light sources, making them easier to catch using bright fishing lights. This nocturnal activity makes nighttime the optimal time for squid fishing, as they are more likely to be lured by your jigs and lights.

Finding the Right Spot

Squid are often found in areas with plenty of structure, such as piers, jetties and rocky coastlines. Look for spots with clear water and a steady current. If you're fishing from a boat, use a depth finder to locate underwater structures.

Essential Gear for Squid Fishing

To catch squid effectively, you need the right gear. Here are some must-have items:

Squid Jigs: These specialised lures mimic the movement of small fish or shrimp, squid's primary food sources. Check out our top-rated squid jigs in various colours and sizes.
Squidink Rigs: Our custom-made Squidink Rigs are designed specifically for catching squid, saving you time and money. They come in three sizes: triple, double, and single paternoster rigs. Explore our Squidink Rigs for the perfect setup.
Rod and Reel: A nice, crisp graphite rod in the 1-3kg or 2-4kg line class paired with a 1000-3000 reel is ideal. Use 8-14lb braid and leader. Most anglers already have a setup like this at home; your go-to estuary setup will work perfectly. Check out our top picks of squidding braid and leader.
Light Source: As mentioned, squid are attracted to light. A powerful underwater light or a bright overhead light will draw them in. Check out our LED green underwater squid light.

Choosing the Right Squid Jig

Selecting the right squid jig can make all the difference. Factors like colour, size and style play a crucial role in attracting squid. For detailed advice on choosing the perfect squid jig, visit our Choosing the Right Squid Jig page.

Setting Up Your Gear

Attach Your Squidink Rig: Securely tie your Squidink Rig to the end of your line.
Clip Your Squid Jig: Snap on your squid jig to the end of the rig. Use the provided bomb sinker, or swap it out for a more ideal sinker weight from the Snowbee assorted bomb sinker pack.
Set Up the Light: Position your light source above or below the water to attract squid. Make sure it's bright enough to create a visible glow in the water.

Techniques for Catching Squid

Casting and Retrieving: Cast your squid jig out and let it sink. Then, use a jerking motion to retrieve it, mimicking the movement of prey. Squid will often strike as the jig is falling or during the jerking motion.
Vertical Jigging: If you're fishing from a boat or a pier, drop your jig straight down and use a vertical jigging motion. This involves lifting and dropping the rod tip to create an enticing movement.

Tips and Tricks

Be Patient: Squid fishing requires patience. Sometimes it takes a while for the squid to be attracted to your light and jig.
Change It Up: If you’re not having any luck, try changing the colour or size of your jig. Different conditions can make certain jigs more effective.
Use Multiple Lights: If possible, use more than one light source to create a larger area of attraction.

Storing and Cleaning Your Catch

Once you've caught your squid, it's time to clean and prepare them. Squid are versatile and delicious seafood that can be grilled, fried, or added to pasta dishes.

Storing Squid for Bait

To store squid for later use as bait, follow these tips to ensure they remain fresh:

Place on Ice: Keep the squid on ice immediately after catching them. Make sure the ice is in a sealed bag to prevent freshwater from touching the squid, which can degrade the quality.
Use Zip-Seal Bags: Freeze the squid using zip-seal bags, ensuring they are airtight to maintain freshness. Remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
Label and Date: Label the bags with the date and type of bait to keep track of your stock.

Cleaning Tips:

Remove the Head and Innards: Pull the head away from the body and remove the innards.
Peel Off the Skin: Remove the thin, purplish skin covering the body.
Cut and Rinse: Cut the body into rings and rinse thoroughly.

Recommended Products

So, you’ve got all the essential squid jigging gear sorted. Before you start firing those jigs into the horizon, check out this list of handy extras that will make your squid fishing journey a whole lot easier:

Squid Jig Wallet: These handy cases are purpose-built for squid jigs and store all your colours and sizes in a neat and organised way. It’s best to grab one of these before your jig collection gets out of control. These squid jig storage solutions can hold anywhere from 6 up to 20 jigs!
Landing Net: There’s nothing worse than dropping a donkey squid at the tail end of the fight, and with a decent net you’ll be putting twice as many squid into the boat.
Polarised Sunglasses: As mentioned, finding good water is key to squidding success. A quality pair of specs will cut out sun glare and help you locate quality squid grounds with ease. Most importantly, they will keep your eyes in good shape for years to come.
EGI Scent: Give your jig that extra one percent with a spray of formulated EGI scent. It’s often the difference between coming home with your tail between your legs or a bucket full of squid!
Knife: Whether it’s for bait or the plate, a sharp knife is critical to prepare your squid in the best possible way. A quality knife will let you slice squid strips and finely chop calamari rings with absolute ease.

We hope this guide helps you become a squid fishing expert! Remember, practice makes perfect, so get out there and start fishing. Happy squidding!