Squid in unusual places

[Gilligan]

I just returned from visiting my sister in Gainesville, FL. We went over to Cedar Key for  lunch and to walk around. They have a very nice fishing pier there and I asked the folks there if anybody caught squid in the area and they all replied that they hadn't nor did they know of anybody having done so. Back at my sister's place I googled up squid fishing in FL and was pleasantly surprised to see that squidding in the winter is alive and well on the gulf coast. From St Petersburg to Panama city at least it seems one can indeed catch them from boats and piers and one guy online said the colder weather the better. I did not see any reports about the east coast but I would think they would be on that side too. The next night I went to a party put on and attended by wildlife biologists from FU (my sister is one) and there were a couple of guys who liked to fish and they told me they had seen them in the water at Cedar Key but had never thought of fishing for them. They asked how it was done, and  though I didn't take any gear with me I explained it as best I could. So, I think that like some other places I have been that although locals don't fish for them or even know they are there that Mr. Squiggly can be caught in many more places that others may suspect. If any of you are headed down there for vacation, I suggest you bring your squid gear and google "catching Squid in FL" and read up on it. Seems like it is at least somewhat popular in St Pete (people seen there using lights off piers) and Panama City. One negative is that FL wants ridiculous $$$ for non-resident saltwater fishing licenses but if you're down there for a couple weeks or more it may well be worth it.