San Diego Tips & Tricks

[Ender]

I have been on the New Seaforth twice.  You want to use those huge, luminous squid jigs that are over a foot long and weigh more than a pound.  You need 50 lb Spectra or better, preferably on a 2 speed reel.  The braided line is to prevent the squid from cutting through it.  Otherwise use a steel leader.



You should be either dropping the jig or reeling it in all the time.  The mistake that most people make is going through the zone where the squid are too fast.  If you feel a bump or your jig stops dropping, leave it at that depth and jig it up and down until you hook one.



Do not pump the rod if you hook a squid.  Just reel it in with constant pressure.



I was surprised at how much work it is to reel in the squid jig from the bottom.  I put tape on my fingers to prevent abrasion.  My right thumb needed tape during the drop and fingers on my left hand needed tape to steady the wet rubber foam on the rod during the retrieve.



I haven't figured out how they can find 300 squid one night and 0 the next.  Maybe it helps if the moon is up while you are on the water.  It helps if there is some current because you cover more area while you are drifting.