2017 North Shore Squid

[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.