Squid

[jamesfromseattle]

Going to give squidding a shot off the piers this winter.  I've never been before.  My understanding is you just need a flood light, a trout rod, and some jigs. 

I'm looking for a recommendation for what type of jig to use.  I am seeing lots of different colors and styles out there (ranging from a dollar each to about eight dollars each), but am not sure what is best for our squid.  Any advice?

[WSU]

Check out the posts on bloodydecks.  Lots of info.

[wadu1]

Try the Asian markets, some carry jigs. The longer skinny ones worked the best for me. Also put a floating bead above your jig so you can tell who's line is who's, that's for combat jigging in Seattle.

[magnanimous_j]

Don't bother with the light, if you don't already have one (most piers have no electric access and generators are usually prohibited). The hardcore ninjas will be down there before you and will have battery powered lights set up.

In my experience, it seems that half the squid hit on green and half like red. Buy a few of both and see what the other guys are having luck with. I recommend going to Outdoor Emporium in SODO and have the guy at the tackle counter sort you out. I believe you can have up to 4 jigs on a line, but most people only use 1, maybe 2 at a time.

[jamesfromseattle]

Great, thanks guys.  Found tons of great info over at Bloody Decks.  Will hit up Outdoor Emporium for some jigs.

One thing I have not been able to figure out via google or youtube: what is the best way to store the squid before you get them home?  It looks like most people toss them in a bucket in salt water but I can't imagine they stay alive very long crammed in there.  Does anyone just put them right on ice?

[magnanimous_j]

No water. Just throw them in the bucket. They die within a few minutes. It will be cold out, so I wouldn't worry about ice.

[wadu1]

No water. Just throw them in the bucket. They die within a few minutes. It will be cold out, so I wouldn't worry about ice.

[jmscon]

If Outdoor Emporium is running low on jigs check out Links on Rainier and King St., just north of the big Goodwill on Dearborn. They usually have a good supply and can help out on where is producing. 5 qt bucket with no water or ice will be fine. Don't worry too much about elbowing up, that's what everyone does and the more fisherman usually the more squid.

[jamesfromseattle]

If Outdoor Emporium is running low on jigs check out Links on Rainier and King St., just north of the big Goodwill on Dearborn. They usually have a good supply and can help out on where is producing. 5 qt bucket with no water or ice will be fine. Don't worry too much about elbowing up, that's what everyone does and the more fisherman usually the more squid.

My first thought was Linc's but Linc's is closed!  That place was a Seattle establishment for many years before I can remember.

Thanks all for the responses on storing squid.  Empty bucket it is.

[magnanimous_j]

If Outdoor Emporium is running low on jigs check out Links on Rainier and King St., just north of the big Goodwill on Dearborn. They usually have a good supply and can help out on where is producing. 5 qt bucket with no water or ice will be fine. Don't worry too much about elbowing up, that's what everyone does and the more fisherman usually the more squid.

My first thought was Linc's but Linc's is closed!  That place was a Seattle establishment for many years before I can remember.

Thanks all for the responses on storing squid.  Empty bucket it is.

Are you sure it's permanently closed? They keep weird hours over there.

[jamesfromseattle]

If Outdoor Emporium is running low on jigs check out Links on Rainier and King St., just north of the big Goodwill on Dearborn. They usually have a good supply and can help out on where is producing. 5 qt bucket with no water or ice will be fine. Don't worry too much about elbowing up, that's what everyone does and the more fisherman usually the more squid.

My first thought was Linc's but Linc's is closed!  That place was a Seattle establishment for many years before I can remember.

Thanks all for the responses on storing squid.  Empty bucket it is.

Are you sure it's permanently closed? They keep weird hours over there.

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/closure-of-seattles-lincs-tackle-shop-a-sign-of-changing-times/

[lokidog]

Check out Washington Squid Fishing Facebook page.  Lots of info on where they are hitting and a fair number of people selling jigs.

According to what I have been seeing there, it has been a bumper crop year.  Be prepared for combat fishing though, elbow to elbow.  Also, there seems to be a fair number caught during daylight as well.

Good luck, I might try to get out some evening this weekend.

[W_Ellison2011]

I haven't been squidding in a LONG time. Anyone know how it is going down in the Tacoma area? We used to go along Ruston and only caught a few but I got an invite from a coworker and am really thinking about going. I have to go out and buy a couple new jigs but I figure if I have time it might be worth a shot to put more food in the freezer. Also, Nice job on those squid! Those are bright and look delicious! Anyone ever caught any of the bigger ones? There were guys years ago that told us about them catching/hooking into a humbolt every now and then.

[magnanimous_j]

I haven't been squidding in a LONG time. Anyone know how it is going down in the Tacoma area? We used to go along Ruston and only caught a few but I got an invite from a coworker and am really thinking about going. I have to go out and buy a couple new jigs but I figure if I have time it might be worth a shot to put more food in the freezer. Also, Nice job on those squid! Those are bright and look delicious! Anyone ever caught any of the bigger ones? There were guys years ago that told us about them catching/hooking into a humbolt every now and then.

Tacoma should be doing well. I usually did pretty good on the Les Davis Peer on Ruston. I know there are humbolt in puget sound, but I've never seen one caught off a peer. You can occasionally get an octopus though.

[jamesfromseattle]

Hit the docks by the Ferris wheel downtown for a couple hours. Pretty slow for me (7 or 8 I think), but I obviously still have some things to learn. There were a couple guys down there just knocking them dead. Literally 10-15 more than us even though we were in the same spot with the same gear and I was trying to copy them as closely as possible.

Fun way to spend an evening. Looking forward to getting it figured out.

[W_Ellison2011]

worked Saturday and sunday the wife had projects for me.. this up coming weekend I will be hitting ruston! Good luck guys!

[W_Ellison2011]

Figured I would toss some info onto this thread. I hit Les Davis pier around 4:15 p.m. this past Saturday. I had a dozen squid in the bucket by 4:30 and then was swarmed by the other people lol. Squid turned off really quick once that happened. Ended up leaving around 7 p.m. with 16 squid. Enough for me to have calamari for a couple nights! I had a friend show up around 6:15 and he said he was limited by about 10:30 p.m. They are out there and they are delicious! Good luck guys!