2017 North Shore Squid

[angler]

Flounder for dinner tonite already :-)

Not sure if it was legal to keep the herring, could be town dependent... didn't want to take the chance.

Was going to try squid fishing tonite but staying home instead. Look forward to the postings from those who try over this weekend.

[BillG]

You almost certainly could have kept the herring. Atlantic (sea) herring are legal. Both kinds of river herring are prohibited, but they are easy to tell apart. Look at a side-by-side and then next time, you'll know the differences to make sure you can keep it. They are great smoked, but also fantastic in a frying pan or quickly cooked on the grill.

[foxfai]

Went there Saturday night and couldn't find a bite. Few others were trying. Found a local that live there stated that he fished almost every night and squids are far few in between. 

 

As I left around 9:30, saw another pulled up a 29" striper. 

[angler]

Thanks for the tips, BillG. I'll research more on the sea-run Vs river herring. You are correct, I remember years ago seeing people trapping herrings in Herring Run (Cape Cod Canal) in late Spring and use them for live lining for big strippers. A town permit (town residents) was required to trap the herrings. But I don't know if herrings in the canal are sea-run or river... confusing...

 

A bit disappointed to hear that squids still haven't arrived in number but appreciate the post, foxfai. What you mentioned from a local was exactly what I heard from another local fisherman on Saturday... i suspect it may be another week or 2 until the squids arrive in number...

[losadas]

I was fishing at Beverly pier Saturday afternoon from 6 to 10:30 . I catch a flounder on my first drop and that's it. After 9 start fishing for squid under the harbor master . An other guy catch one squid and nothing else . They are very late this year .

[BillG]

Thanks for the tips, BillG. I'll research more on the sea-run Vs river herring. You are correct, I remember years ago seeing people trapping herrings in Herring Run (Cape Cod Canal) in late Spring and use them for live lining for big strippers. A town permit (town residents) was required to trap the herrings. But I don't know if herrings in the canal are sea-run or river... confusing...

 

Angler, the confusing part is that all herring live in saltwater. River herring run up the rivers in freshwater to spawn sometime between Feb. and May. Atlantic herring spawn offshore, but come inshore to feed. At sea, both kinds of river herring and atlantic herring all swim together. Back in the day, people used to have traps to catch river herring. Now, river herring are totally protected because their numbers are so low. However, you can still catch atlantic herring.

[Jtap]

I went to Berverly pier on Wed night for 3 hours from 10pm to 1am I got 30 good size squids. Folks squids is running

[angler]

Angler, the confusing part is that all herring live in saltwater. River herring run up the rivers in freshwater to spawn sometime between Feb. and May. Atlantic herring spawn offshore, but come inshore to feed. At sea, both kinds of river herring and atlantic herring all swim together. Back in the day, people used to have traps to catch river herring. Now, river herring are totally protected because their numbers are so low. However, you can still catch atlantic herring.

[angler]

BillG, It was dinitely an Atlantic Herring ... With a slender body and blueish coloration in the back. In other words, a bigger size sardine :-)

[alaskanaturally]

Can anyone post images of the different herring species or recommend a link?

[angler]

Links for Herring:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herring

 

http://www.scottsbt.com/fishids/idmisc/herring.htm

[angler]

 

Atlantic herring- The back is blueish. Body is slender.

[angler]

 

Blueback herring & Alewife - The back is also blueish but body is not as slender.

[alaskanaturally]

Thanks for the info.

[ReelSaltyAngler]

I was down in Beverly today and caught one 6 inch squid and saw another person catch one roughly the same size about an hour after I did. I was there for four hours again and only saw 2 including mine. Its been a very slow season so far. Lets hope they show up in force soon. Last year i was hitting them good late June into July though. Fingers crossed.

[angler]

My wife & I tried the fishing area to the left of Harbor Master on Saturday from 7 pm to 10 pm for the first time this season. There were no more than 3 small squids caught among the few anglers. I saw an angler caught 2 at the lobster trap. That was it!

 

Another sad news I learned was the town of Beverly deliberately chose not to turn on the lights in fishing areas along the water edge to both left and right of Harbor Master in order to deter people from fishing for squids in these areas. I was told the boat owners made a lot of noise to the town about anglers making a mess to the docks and casting into their boats causing damages. When I was there, I witnessed 2 anglers were fishing on the floating docks right in front of Harbor Master... If I were one of the boat owners, having people casting and fishing for squids next to my boat would be nerve breaking too... It is really sad as we have been fishing in Beverly for 20 years and have never seen such a hostile act towards anglers. I remember the days when we fished from the old bridge, the days when we fished with the locals on the floating docks... it was a social event rather than a harvesting one.

 

The bottom line, without lights along the dock areas, it would have a grave adverse impact to squid fishing in the area. I am not sure if there is a potential the town of Beverly would revert the rule but first and foremost, I urge all anglers fish in the area keep the place clean and tidy by picking up your own. Also respect the posted signs for not fishing in areas where clearly state "No Fishing". Do your part!!!

[Gilligan]

There may be hope guys, my charter captain buddy said the squid were in THICK in Menemsha on the Vineyard last night.

[alaskanaturally]

There may be hope guys, my charter captain buddy said the squid were in THICK in Menemsha on the Vineyard last night.

 

Think some of those might head toward Stonington and/or Newport?

[Gilligan]

Dunno, waiting to hear from my Edgartown buddy. Menemsha is on the west end of the island, Edgartown on the east end. I don't know if they go down to N'port from there or not. I used to get a lot of them in Menemsha in August when they weren't being caught in RI, but there hasn't been a lot of August action in Menemsha in recent years. I am thinking maybe they may be more likely to be on the north shore when in Menemsha, waiting to hear if that's so. Too crazy on the island in summer for me anymore, doubt if I'll go up even if the squid stay in thick for a week or more. I should get another Menemsha report tomorrow.

[squidman890]

@Gilligan, how are you

 

I just bought 4lb Kastking Fluorocarbon line and is hair-thin line. 

One question. When I use the  15 lb braid line and 20 lb leader using high low rig. 

I only feel the squid when I lift up the rod.

 

So when you use the 4lb line, will you able to feel the bite without lifting the rod once squid grab your jig??? 

Are there any indications of squid grab your jig? Like the line suddenly stop sinking??