10-12-2006, 08:21 AM
[quote name='Jon' post='7756' date='Dec 8 2006, 05:44 AM']Squid survey 0- Squid 1. Hmmm.
Not so good on the first day but we all had little hope of catching anything as the water clarity was similar to that of chocolate and about as thick. The storm force winds are not helping us here, several weeks of South and Southwesterly gales/storms have resulted in the water being turned into a kind of sedimentary soup.
At least everything else worked well, the lights are certainly bright enough. We have hired a generator/lightrig, the type you might see lighting up roadworks, as this represented the most viable, economical and flexible option to providing metal halide light to the fishing vessel. The generator is situated on the stern of the vessel where all the jigging is being done and we are able to change the properties of the shadow by extending or retracting the telescopic lighting pole. Sadly the lights dont give off much heat and so one piece flotation/thermal suits are the order of the day.
Wind speed at Lands end @ 1800 today was 50mph Westerly and that has decreased steadily for three hours,however, the forecast is for the wind to swing into the Northwest (offshore) for a couple of days and it is our hope that the water clarity will improve somewhat, unfortunately Sundays (10th Dec) forecast is set to swing back into the Southwest and blow severe gale 9 to storm 10, after that the longrange forecast gives the wind veering into the NW again.
I am waiting now for the skipper to make a descision on when to go (I hope we can get away on Friday evening).
If at first you dont succeed, try and try again.
Does anyone know if it is worth using baited jags when searching for squid. Does bait attract these animals in the same way it would attract finfish.
jon[/quote]
In my opinion, I wouldn't bother with baited jigs while searching for the squid. Standard glow type commercial or weighted jigs would likely work best. If you know squid are around, but not biting the jigs, that is when I would recommend going to the baited jigs. Squid are hungry creatures, and not likely to pass up free food.
Not sure if you have or not, but if you're fishing at night, be sure to hold your jigs under the bright light to get them charged up (so that they glow). This definitely is helpful.
Another option for test fishing for you would be small size lighted squid jigs. (with small light inside)
Jon
Not so good on the first day but we all had little hope of catching anything as the water clarity was similar to that of chocolate and about as thick. The storm force winds are not helping us here, several weeks of South and Southwesterly gales/storms have resulted in the water being turned into a kind of sedimentary soup.
At least everything else worked well, the lights are certainly bright enough. We have hired a generator/lightrig, the type you might see lighting up roadworks, as this represented the most viable, economical and flexible option to providing metal halide light to the fishing vessel. The generator is situated on the stern of the vessel where all the jigging is being done and we are able to change the properties of the shadow by extending or retracting the telescopic lighting pole. Sadly the lights dont give off much heat and so one piece flotation/thermal suits are the order of the day.
Wind speed at Lands end @ 1800 today was 50mph Westerly and that has decreased steadily for three hours,however, the forecast is for the wind to swing into the Northwest (offshore) for a couple of days and it is our hope that the water clarity will improve somewhat, unfortunately Sundays (10th Dec) forecast is set to swing back into the Southwest and blow severe gale 9 to storm 10, after that the longrange forecast gives the wind veering into the NW again.
I am waiting now for the skipper to make a descision on when to go (I hope we can get away on Friday evening).
If at first you dont succeed, try and try again.
Does anyone know if it is worth using baited jags when searching for squid. Does bait attract these animals in the same way it would attract finfish.
jon[/quote]
In my opinion, I wouldn't bother with baited jigs while searching for the squid. Standard glow type commercial or weighted jigs would likely work best. If you know squid are around, but not biting the jigs, that is when I would recommend going to the baited jigs. Squid are hungry creatures, and not likely to pass up free food.
Not sure if you have or not, but if you're fishing at night, be sure to hold your jigs under the bright light to get them charged up (so that they glow). This definitely is helpful.
Another option for test fishing for you would be small size lighted squid jigs. (with small light inside)
Jon
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