So today I was trying to catch some squid again. I'm on a mission to catch them during daytime and from my paddle board.
I was in a very reefy, weedy reasonably sheltered bay.

I thought I'd test the water with some soft baits first and promptly caught and released a smallish snapper on the first cast.

Afterwards my soft baits started to look like this after each cast:



I think that looks like squid bites. What do you guys reckon?
When I dropped the soft baits, I could feel a tiny little bit of nibbling on the line.
But it didn't feel like bites, more like something is gently eating away the bait, very gentle tugs.
It took only seconds for the soft baits to look like this.
The triangular bite marks could be bites from squid beaks.

Immediately I tried different sizes and colours of squid jigs, but unfortunately nothing was interested in my squid jigs.
I have the feeling that squid are really attracted to gulp soft baits. But even squirting gulp juice onto my squid jigs didn't help.

Next time I'll try to rig some big 6 inch gulps onto squid spikes and see if that gives any results.
I don't seem to be having much luck with squid jigs.

Is this in the same area where you got that leatherjacket ?

No. Your bait does not look like a squid attack

Squid do not "bite" a bait. They grab the prey with their legs (tentacles). They then move the prey or bait towards the mouth. For this reason, the squid will be well and truly hooked before it gets any chance of taking a bite.

I see you are using a single hook. In this case it is possible for a squid to take the bait and not be hooked...HOWEVER, squid do not bite the bait. They grab the bait with their tentacles and drag the prey into a "safe" area where they then start to eat.

Squid (and cuttlefish et al) do not nibble nor give gentle tugs...When a squid takes your lure it will be a steady (not jerky) and solid pull. Once the squid realises it is hooked, it will continue with steady and solid pulls. A fish will be jerky as it throws its head from side to side. A squid on the other hand will pull directly away in a smooth steady pull pausing only for a second to re-fill its "jet". (yes, they are "jet" propelled).

Sorry to burst your bubble, Mark, but that lure looks to me like it was bitten by a leatherjacket or similar beaked fish. Definitely not a squid !!

For day time, you really should use a mirrored bobby float.

Something like this...

https://www.bcf.com.au/rogue-turnip-glitter-float/M382594.html?cgid=BCF034510#segment=2&page=1

They are calling it a "glitter" float...Oh well, mirrored, glitter...fish, fush... It shines and attracts squid !!

damn, I thought I was finally onto them squid.
It was a different spot from where I caught the leather jacket.

But I think you're right, it totally makes sense.
I should have dropped a sabiki instead of those squid jigs to see who's nibbling away my soft baits.
There goes my bubble - looks like soft baits are not good for indicating squid presence after all

As for the float - maybe I could just wrap some aluminium foil around my bobby floats to get the glitter effect.
I got a few yellow/orange ones in my tackle box.

How far down would you deploy the jig under a float in lets say 8 meter water depth?

You are not on to them yet

I think it was probably puffer fish that attacked your lure.

Because squid do not bite no kind of fish hook is going to work. You need an actual squid jig. There are 2 types. Pre made and DIY.

If you want to try soft plastic lures, then you will need a DIY squid spike - https://www.bcf.com.au/neptune-wide-hook-squid-spike/M151299.html#q=squid&segment=3&page=1

You could try the foil idea. I wouldn't bother but it might work. Just buy a glitter float. I think you can get stick on sheets of that glitter stuff from craft stores.

Water depth is not so important. You need the jig close enough to the float for the squid to see it. I usually have the jig 4 to 6 feet below the float, regardless of water depth.

The rig is very basic. Straight line. Small rubber stopper goes on first. Then the float. Then a small to medium snap swivel. Done Using a rubber stopper allows you to adjust the depth if needed. They are also guide safe, so you can leave it on the line if you want to pack the rod and reel away.

I wouldn't bother with a spike, I would just use a pre-made squid jig. But it is up to you and if you want to try soft plastics then you don't have much choice. Squid can be very fussy on size and colour. The snap swivel allows you to change the jig easy until you find one that works for that day.

Simply cast out and leave. Just let the water movement do the work. The squid will see the flickering light coming off the float and will come up to investigate. They find a "prawn", your jig, has also come to investigate the light....and bingo you have squid.

Will add photos later.

I am not really geared up for squid fishing right now...I am 400km from the nearest sea water, and that is in a straight line

I don't have a mirrored (glitter) float with me but you will get the idea.

Get some squid jigs...Different colours and sizes. Here I have red and blue in 3 different sizes. It is a good idea to keep them in the packets



First thing to put on the line is the float stopper...



Easy. Thread the line through the wire loop. Then slide the float stopper from the wire on to the line.



Slide the stopper up so that the tag end of the line is free. You can leave the stopper on the line even if you de-rig.

Then put the float on and a snap swivel.

Even though I don't have a glitter float with me and I have not actually rigged this. Your rig should look like this...



With the propper glitter float, the white part above would be the glitter. If the tube of the float is too large for the stopper, simply put a small plastic bead between the float and stopper.

The stopper is made of silicone rubber and grips the line. A little spit will make it slide easy.

great explanation and photos, thanks.

I've got a good range of those squid jigs in my tackle box. But I've never seen one for $2.50
You got a really good deal there !
Yesterday one of mine fell overboard and I couldn't grab it quick enough. Watched my 10 bucks slowly sinking out of sight.

I'll give it a go with the float as you described, it looks like a good idea. So far I've mainly been using the jigs Egi style.
Just casting out and letting them sink down to the bottom, then twitch the rod like crazy a few times, then wait and so on.

Quite often when kayaking the wind and current are against me.
I keep drifting faster then the jig can sink, even if I cast out way ahead of me.
Perhaps if the wind and current are too much, I'm in the wrong spot for squid anyway?

Maybe I could try the rig as you described but attach another piece of line to the squid jig with a small sinker below so that the jig hangs down straight from the float while I'm drifting. Or I could just anchor up

From my research, it seems that squid really don't like to hang around in current, but rather at the edges of current and channels where they can hide in weed beds. I've been drifting around some shallow, reefy, weedy shorelines with my paddle board. There were lot's of bait fish around. I could see small kahawai, spotties, yellow tail, piper.
Good to be able to stand up on a board, you can see so much stuff in the water.

But I haven't been able to spot any squid swimming around anywhere.
Either they were hiding between the weed or they're just not there yet.

Haha...Yep, $2.50 is why I have them with me I didn't pack any squid gear for this house sit...why would I the coast is 400km away as the crow flies . They were in the "clearance bin". They really need to stock a lot of colours and sizes and they just wont sell that many squid jigs in Wagga. I had actually forgotten that I had these jigs with me. I do a lot of squid fishing and have a dedicated squid rod and about 3 or 4 dozen jigs of different colours and sizes.

Squid are allways there !! You will not see them. I forget the word for it, they change colour to match the background. There is a word for it ?? Basically they are like a chameleon. They are sight hunters and so camouflage themselves to be invisible to the prey.

You could try it, but I think your extra small weight will not work. You want the squid jig to look and move in a natural way...squid are sight hunters and they have very good eye sight !! They are very, very smart. Just do some research on the intelligence of octopus. Well, squid are not far off that level of "smarts".

A flashing light...glitter float...gets their attention. They are smart and curious and they will come to the light to investigate. They find a "prawn" not going with the flow...they are way too smart to play that game !! No, your "prawn" must look natural !! Under a float, just bobbing and going with the flow, looks natural !!

Yeah, Egi...I am not sure if the Egi is designed to catch squid or designed to sell squid jigs . Either way it works !!

I have been catching squid longer than Egi has been around. My opinion...Day time use a mirrored, or as we have discovered "glitter" float..and at night, use a light like a torch or street light and pee in the water !!

I will certainly try the glitter float next time.

I didn't know you were so much into squid fishing.
Good to know, I'm at the right address with my questions then

I got a few for you right away.

Do you think its better to anchor up or slowly drift and tow the float and jig behind?

So when you're not landlocked, where do you usually catch your squid during day time?
Do you just go randomly somewhere with good structure and fish from the rocks or mainly jetties and harbours?

I've also read that too heavy of a leader could put squid off. I guess because of their good eyesight and intelligence.
I've been using my 20 pound fluoro leader - but that might be way too much. Do you think it makes a difference at all or would it be better to use 10 or even 6 pound leader.

Yeah, I don't mind the old squid fishing...I am pretty sure I have mentioned it a few times over the years

Tow or anchor ? I don't know. I have not tried to tow. But, I would think it would not make much difference as long as the tow was just with the flow.

You are right about the rough waters. So boat harbours are good. Also along break walls. Pretty much anywhere that would allow a bobby float to just bob along. Any rocks with a vertical drop. Calm beaches will also hold squid. Rock gutters are good too.

Squid are always there and they are everywhere...They are like a puppy. They are always watching you. They see everything you do. You can make a puppy come to you by holding a piece of cabbage...but the puppy wont eat the cabbage. Make the cabbage look like a game, make it look like a "target", make it look like a prize...and the puppy will eat it !!

When the squid comes up to investigate the flashing light, it finds a target, a prize, a bonus...

I don't use leader for squid. I usually use 15lb mono. Using a leader would interfere with the float stopper, in that it would not allow adjustment. There is no need for leader...squid pull straight and smooth. You will only have two options. A landing net or direct lift. Squid do not look for cover when hooked, so there is no risk of rocks or snags...Nope, no leader. I can't think of any reason why you would want to use a leader...

Your line should be over kill... 15lb for a 1lb squid sounds about right. A shortish rod with a medium action taper, say 6 to 8 foot. In most cases you will be doing a direct lift so you want a firm rod to take that lift.

okay sounds good, I will give that all a go next time.

The only reason I use a leader is because all my reels are spooled up with braid.
Next time I will try some of the 6 or 10 pound leader that I used for trout fishing.

10lb is a bit light, you will definitely need to use a landing net.

Later on you might want to set up a dedicated squid rod. Any old cheap rod and reel will do. The only thing to look for is a firm rod with medium or heavy action. You want the rod to be 6 to 8 foot and able to lift 10 to 12 pounds direct without bending too much.