2017 North Shore Squid

[Gilligan]

 I only use one jig most of the time with 4lb flouro or mono, and I use it on a small sensitive graphite rod. Yes, I can often feel the squid hit without lifting the rod, especially when the jig is stationary at the end of the drop. I do not believe they only hit on the drop, I have seen many hit me on a tiny up-jig motion or "twitch" of the rod, and many hit it when it is stationary for a few seconds.  If the squid hits hard they actually impale themselves since the light rod bends as they try to take off with the jig and the rod flexes back sometimes faster than I can strike which gives me a tiny advantage. Another thing I do is watch the jig when I can, if I see the jig suddenly go left or right I strike because it means a squid has grabbed the jig and is moving away with it while the line was slack on the drop. You are correct that if you see the line suddenly stop sinking to strike, it has been grabbed on the drop. I am not fishing high off the water as on a bridge, this is mainly for fishing from docks and piers.

[squidman890]

I will use the single jig when I use 4lb line.

Let's see what happen

Thx for your info

[alaskanaturally]

 I only use one jig most of the time with 4lb flouro or mono, and I use it on a small sensitive graphite rod. Yes, I can often feel the squid hit without lifting the rod, especially when the jig is stationary at the end of the drop. I do not believe they only hit on the drop, I have seen many hit me on a tiny up-jig motion or "twitch" of the rod, and many hit it when it is stationary for a few seconds.  If the squid hits hard they actually impale themselves since the light rod bends as they try to take off with the jig and the rod flexes back sometimes faster than I can strike which gives me a tiny advantage. Another thing I do is watch the jig when I can, if I see the jig suddenly go left or right I strike because it means a squid has grabbed the jig and is moving away with it while the line was slack on the drop. You are correct that if you see the line suddenly stop sinking to strike, it has been grabbed on the drop. I am not fishing high off the water as on a bridge, this is mainly for fishing from docks and piers.

Do you actually hit them Gene? We can detect even the lightest of bites but usually just lift the rod rather gently and start reeling.

[Gilligan]

Yep, I strike them. Not like a big bass or something, but I like to make sure that little spike or spikes are well in them. They sometimes use a very soft touch or pick-up and a quick short strike will often get them before they let go. Sometimes I get them in the side of the head rather than the tentacles. I feel a little bump or change in retrieve and I give my rod a short jerk. I see the jig go sideways and I give the rod a jerk. When the jig is going sideways sometimes my strike or jerk will go over my head as I quickly get the slack out and get the prong into the target. You mentioned missing hits in RI, and it could be as you thought, the jigs you were using had larger spikes further apart than the prawn type jigs, but maybe they were just hitting (or touching) lightly and a quick jerk rather than a soft lift would have nailed some of them. The loligo squids, (the ones with the two extra long "feeler" tentacles) are especially known for being light hitters since they will often just feel the jig with the two long tentacles rather than latch on with many tentacles as the ilex squids do. If you feel weight or even a small bump HIT' EM. The tentacles are quite tough and if you are using a light rod with a fairly soft tip you won't tear the hook out. Some folks may do otherwise but my main squidding buddies and I strike and often we are so enthusiastic we call out or even yell YEAH! or I'm on! just as if it were a big striper. Drives the other guys who are getting severely out-jigged nuts, but we have FUN. My buddy will bet anybody on the dock a buck that he'll catch the next squid and few will bet against him. Of course he'll also tell anybody who will listen that he is the luckiest guy to ever hold a fishing rod. Sometimes I think he may well be. We aren't always high hooks, and it drives us nuts when others out-jig us, but it isn't as often as it is the other way. Of course if I am killing them in the shadows and there is a crowd down the dock I never say a word and go about my business very quietly so as to not draw the crowd near me. It helps if you get in a situation where they aren't too deep and you can watch and study their pick-ups. When they are thick and hungry anybody with almost any jig, rod, and line will catch them, but when they are wary or finnicky it can take a little finesse to fill your bucket. Just "wiggling" the jig in front of them, very short slow jigs, sometimes just a veerrry slow retrieve up to the surface from the deep will elicit the hit.  It can be amazing to see how softly and quickly they will touch or feel the jig and let go, and if you don't strike fast they are gone. Best of luck to all of you!!

[alaskanaturally]

Will have try that. Like you said, we did have quite a few get off in RI. Might be because we weren't striking the hard and we do use ultralight outfits.

[losadas]

Anyone is going out tonight at beverly? I'm thinking to try one more time

[losadas]

Anyone is going out tonight at beverly? I'm thinking to try one more time

[basketbasebalkid]

Tried at Salem Willows last weekend and Beverly but no luck. Saw them swimming around at night with the lights but no bites. Good luck today guys! Hope to hear from ya'll soon. 

[alaskanaturally]

Anyone is going out tonight at beverly? I'm thinking to try one more time

Let us know how you do. Thanks

[Gilligan]

By the way, after striking them and getting a solid hook-up I reel them up as fast as I can. If I had cast out for them I still crank like crazy and "surf" them along the surface to get them in the bucket as fast as possible. If I am using a hi-lo rig I may retrieve more slowly to try and get a hit on the second jig but if I don't get that second hit quickly I just wind it in fast and cast again.

[battam]

Was at the Willows July 5 and 6 ---- no squid.

[alaskanaturally]

Anyone getting any anywhere?

[foxfai]

This year sucked squid fishing. Netted 0 out of 5 outings since mother's day. Only saw a few caught one evening

[folkcafe]

Went mackerel fishing out of Hampton NH yesterday off shore.  Bite was less than stellar but did manage to catch 3 squid on mackerel jigs.  Was an odd evening of fishing.  Might bring an extra light rig and some jigs next trip.  Captain said a bit later in the season they'll be more abundant.  $18 two hour evening fishing trips.  Guy next to me was bottom fishing with clams and got an odd assortment of fish including a blood red sea raven and even a 21inch cod he had to throw back.

 

Might try again later this month a bit better prepared.

[salp]

folkcafe what party boat did you go out with

[folkcafe]

folkcafe what party boat did you go out with

There are a few on both sides of the bridge between Hampton and Salsbury.  I went out with Al Gauron Sat but have been out with Smith and Gilmore on the Hampton side. 

 

It was odd catching Squid with a diamond jig.  Squid sushi was a nice treat as this season was so poor.

[alaskanaturally]

Anyone tried Beverly, Salem, Gloucester recently?

[Jtap]

I try gloucester last Sunday for 4 hours 0 result. No good this year.

[Skyler03xx]

Went out last friday in Marblehead, between 10pm amd 2am, got about 25 little guys,

[ReelSaltyAngler]

I was really lucky last week. I went at the 8pm high tide and into the night. I Saw a few pods of squid at the surface one pod had about 8 squid another about 5 or 6. Ended up with 10 squids in total at about a 5-6 inches long with a few babies in the mix. A few other people caught one or two maybe three. I was the lucky one that night but it was short lived. Im going tonight, leaving at Midnight and catching the 2am high tide under the lights. I'll let you all know what I get.