Squidfish Forums

Morning all



I am keen to catch calamari at night by using a spotlight from a boat. Can members advise of the best (model and brand) light available for use with a 12 volt battery please?



Also, I would be grateful for any tips that you may have regarding the best method to use way when using the light. For example do I shine the beam directly beneath the boat or do I concentrate the beam at some distance from the boat? If the latter method is recommended, where and when should I cast my lure?



Finally, I tend to fish at the northern end of the Bay so would be grateful for any tips regarding calamari spots around Williamstown, Altona or Werribee.



Many thanks



Dick the fisherman

Gday Dick,



Is there a reason why you want to target squid with a spotlight? Have you seen other people chasing squid this way? In the past I have tried using a torch to pinpoint squid from piers, then casting jigs to them, with very little success. I have heard of people using a light to spot squid from their boat, which they then attempt to catch with a scoop net.



Why not try drifting with a jig out, without the spotlight first. I have caught plenty at night this way.

[quote name='Jazman' post='13101' date='Nov 17 2008, 04:56 PM']Gday Dick,



Is there a reason why you want to target squid with a spotlight? Have you seen other people chasing squid this way? In the past I have tried using a torch to pinpoint squid from piers, then casting jigs to them, with very little success. I have heard of people using a light to spot squid from their boat, which they then attempt to catch with a scoop net.



Why not try drifting with a jig out, without the spotlight first. I have caught plenty at night this way.[/quote]





Thanks Jazman.



I was prompted to ask the question as I recently had the navigation lights reconnected to my tinny. With dusk fishing in mind for some snapper I thought that I might as well try for some squid using a spotlight as I will now be able to fish in the dark. Without going into a lengthy explanation I know that commercial squid fishermen use powerful bulbous lights which extend around the perimeter of the boat to attract squid so I thought, "what's good for the big fellas is good for Dick!"



I haven't tried jigging for squid in the dark as I didn't know whether it would work without a light. Now you've answered that question for me.



Thanks for the input. I'm going out this Thursday so I'll give it a go both with and without a light to see which is better.



Dick