What To Do To Improve Your Squid Jigging?

[angy168]

Please post what you have done to improve your catch. I start with mine.



1. Change the jig color - I always start with pink (most popular & reliable) then blue, green or white.

2. Change the jig size - change to smaller jig if the bite is picky

3. Use less jig - change 3 jigs to 2 jigs, or just 1 jig if the bite is really picky

4. Move to different location - squid move around, so try find them by moving around

5. Vary jigging speed and frequency, even stop moving sometime - found this info from other site and it works when bite slows down

6. Use flourocarbon leader line - I use 15 lb Yozuri pink flouro. Squid has huge eyes and keen eye-sight.

7. Use softer rod & lighter line - easier to detect the bite, softer rod allows more subtle jigging

8. Bring your own light - attract baits and give you the heart-pounding visual when a whole school suddenly appears from no-where.



9. Ignore all the above when the bite is hot and happens right in front of you (ha ha ha....)

[angy168]

The following was posted in another site, which explains the action imparted on the jig by a fly-rod:



Well First drop I snag one then Two and the old Fart gets up off his empty Bucket and leaves ........Maybe to go get Some of those #*&%$$* lights. But that was it! Nothing doing although the squid were swimming by left and right we only snag a few more. Stayed till the marine battery started to drain down Some kid from Pennsylvania called me and the Kids over to a small pod of squid standing in about three feet of water. He never fished salt water but saw the squid and grabbed his Fly rod and was nailing them like no one else ........Yeah dam fly rodders. The Kids and I have to admit got a kick out of watching this intelligent bait .....they Examined the fly.....Circle it while changing color like a Times Square neon light all the while probing the lure with their Tentacles. If the movement or feel was right they seize it. Incredible Meanwhile they would fly up to a plastic Yozuri Fish type lure Eyeball it change color a few times and move on.......Frustrating

[brothalan]

[quote name='Andy' post='11321' date='May 4 2008, 08:06 AM']Please post what you have done to improve your catch. I start with mine.



1. Change the jig color - I always start with pink (most popular & reliable) then blue, green or white.

2. Change the jig size - change to smaller jig if the bite is picky

3. Use less jig - change 3 jigs to 2 jigs, or just 1 jig if the bite is really picky

4. Move to different location - squid move around, so try find them by moving around

5. Vary jigging speed and frequency, even stop moving sometime - found this info from other site and it works when bite slows down

6. Use flourocarbon leader line - I use 15 lb Yozuri pink flouro. Squid has huge eyes and keen eye-sight.

7. Use softer rod & lighter line - easier to detect the bite, softer rod allows more subtle jigging

8. Bring your own light - attract baits and give you the heart-pounding visual when a whole school suddenly appears from no-where.



9. Ignore all the above when the bite is hot and happens right in front of you (ha ha ha....)[/quote]



[color="brown"]

I guess I fit at #9 Grrrr. Thanks for the tips

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[twiggy]

You forgot the most important tip: your jigs have to be in the water and not on your workbench while watching TV.

[angy168]

[quote name='twiggy' post='11326' date='May 4 2008, 10:31 AM']You forgot the most important tip: your jigs have to be in the water and not on your workbench while watching TV.[/quote]



Good point, also bring in various jigs with diff size and color. You'll donated a lot to the bottom, and the worst thing that could happen is you run out of ammunition while everyone else is catching.

[busterblue]

When fishing I always get the most bites when I leave my jig in the water and get a sandwich. I find that marinated steak tips and the glowing white yozuris are the best combo this year. <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':zorro:' />

[kingyfisher]

I always use " the Flipping Prawn" technique,2 days ago I was attempting to shake off a small piece of seaweed that had attached itself to the jig points and as I flopped & flipped the jig in 2m of water over sand I saw a VERY LARGE dark triangular shape approaching. I grabbed the heavier rod and bigger jig and dropped it in ,in a flash the large Calamari Squid was all over it. Unfortunately he had made up his mind to "Take Out" his dinner under the wharf and no ammount of tugging on my part was going to change his mind. Off he sailed into the darkness dragging my Yamashia and trailing line....his body was about 1m long !

[angy168]

Found the following jigging info at www.juicyjigs.com/jigging-school:

You can squid fish from a boat or a pier. A light source is needed. Light attracts squid because their prey is attracted to the lights. Do a little research to find out where public access is in your area. Any pier can work. A few popular squid fishing locations are in our region are Brownsville Marina, Bremerton Ferry terminal, Kingston Ferry Terminal, and Waterman Pier. You can bring your own light to these places or squid fish by the lights on the piers. Go early because the best spots are taken fast. You may find yourself fishing shoulder to shoulder with the locals!



To squid fish, you will need to rig your Juicy Jigs™ Squid Jigs. Attach the reel to the Juicy Jigger™ Squid Fishing Rod and put the line through the guides on the rod. 8 lb to 12lb main line is more than enough. Attach the Juicy Connector™ to the end of your line. Then attach your squid jigs to the Juicy Connector™. You are ready to go!



You want to “juice” your squid jigs under a light source to make them glow. Drop your jigs down into the water to start your jigging. The squid can be found from the ocean floor to just under the surface. They move around so you will need to vary your jigging depth until you start catching squid.



A good way to start fishing for squid is to lower your jigs to the bottom and then reel up about five or six cranks. Then start to lift your jigs up and down. Vary your jigging speed, motion, and the distance you raise and lower your rod tip. You do not want to have a rhythmic jigging pattern. You may want to make a fast jig or two up a few feet and then slowly lower the jigs. Stop jigging every now and then – let the jigs sit still for a few seconds or more. Frequently, the squid will “hit” or grab the jig as it flutters down or as it sits stationary.



If squid are not being caught, try “trawling” for squid. From a pier, cast out as far as you can and let the jigs fall back to you. As the jigs are fluttering back toward the pier, lift your rod tip up about a foot and back down. This helps catch the attention of the squid. This is an effective way to attract squid to your area. If you are not catching squid and are not seeing them around, you need to follow this step. This method consistently brings squid into your bucket!



Squid usually do not hit the jigs like a fish hitting a lure. You usually will feel only a resistance or heaviness. When you feel the slightest difference in your jigging, you have a squid. Reel up to get your squid. Be careful, or squid will get you with their ink! Hold the squid jig and turn it up side down to drop the squid into your bucket. The ink washes off when wet but once the ink dries, it will not come off.