Squid Around Vancouver, Bc?

[Guest]

I would like to give squiding a try in the Vancouver, BC area but not not know what to look for in a squiding location. I see the posts for the Washington area so I assume they will be up here as well.



If you are not fishing for them, will you see them from the docks or piers, or will you only see them coming up after your jig?



I see that the jigs look like prawns. Does the pier then need to have prawns or dock shrimp nearby (crawling on the pilings etc.)? The docks I am thinking of do not have them ( I have seen them on Vancouver Island docks). However, I do catch prawns by trap between 200-300 ft and if the traps happen to land in mudder, shallower water (150-200ft) I do catch smaller species of shrimp, but there are none shallow (around the docks).



Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[glen]

hi wannabe,



your don't have to have prawns in the area where you are fishing. where i fish (in australia) there are not really any prawns and yet the prawn jigs work quite well. the squid probably mistake them for bait fish anyway. seems that the commercial style jigs work quite well in washington (for market squid) so you probably can use those instead. they are usually cheaper anyway.



best of luck, glen

[squidjigdotcom]

It's not likely that you will see them before you fish, so it's basicly give it a shot and see how it goes venture.



We have had a pretty good run of squid this summer, so likely you have some squid around as well. We get a bigger run from October through January, that is much more productive.



I have not seen many people do very well with the typical Commercial Style jigs in the Puget Sound area. About 90% of the fishermen use handmade jigs like the "Puget Sound Squid Teasers" shown on my site [url="http://www.squidjig.com"]www.squidjig.com Colman's Squid Jig Warehouse[/url]



If you use a strong light, like a 250watt High Pressure Sodium floodlight, you can often get them to come up closer to the surface and you will see them. Otherwize, start jigging towards the bottom and working different levels.



Sometime it takes hours before they are around, as the schools of squid move around quite a bit. That's why a lot of people bring powerful lights which schools up the baitfish AND squid.



Best location is a good sized pier with lots of structure underneath, preferably with lots of seaweed down below that the squid use for cover. Usually the deeper water piers have been most productive.



Hope that helps some.

[glen]

i should have been clearer. by commercial style jigs i meant jigs that sit vertically in the water rather than the prawn jigs that sit horizontally in the water.



let us know if you have some luck!



cheers, glen

[Guest]

Thanks for the info guys, I think I will just give it a try. Unfortunately it is illegal in BC to use a light for fishing unless it is attached to your line and less than 1m (3 feet) from your hook. So luminecent jigs are ok, but I will need to find a pier with a light already there <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



squidjigdotcom, your jigs on Ebay look great. I will contact you directly to see if I can get a combined shipment. As I don't know what will work up here, I would like to just order a variety.



Will keep you all posted on how things go!

[squid master]

Well, there are times you will be able to see the squid. It is one of my favorite types of squidding. If using lights is illegal, just squid by the piers lights. Check out www.juicyjigs.com for the most effective squid jigs you can buy. The site also has rigging info for you.



Squid Master

www.juicyjigs.com

[Guest]

No luck yet, although I have only tried twice but will continue to do so this fall. But here is an interesting news article:



[url="http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=bc_home&articleID=1738470"]http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pag...ticleID=1738470[/url]



A 20kg (44lbs) Humboldt squid was just caught off of Vancouver Island!

[glen]

thanks for that link! what a catch!



cheers, glen <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/xyxthumbs.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[squidjigdotcom]

I got a report of Giant Humbolt squid in SE Alaska today. At night somewhere near Sitka Alaska a commercial boat had their lights on while anchored and found themselves surrounded by a school of about 1000 or more Giant Squid. They used dipnets to catch them.



Seems like they are getting quite far north, will be interesting to see if they are around the next few years as well. I'd like to get a stab at some without having to head south to California or Mexico.

[Mr_Willy]

Gee, what a squid - too bad we dont have them in Australia - are these any good to eat does anyone know??

[Guest]

the humboldt squid isnt a true 'giant' squid, the largest member of the squid family. It is a large squid, but they are not really edible, as their flesh has alot of ammonia. They are caught alot more often than you would expect in washington, there is usually one caught every year or two of the port angeles dock.



i think my info is correct, i have a fisheries tech. degree, but its been a few years since i took the invertebrates class. hope that is some interesting info,



harry

[Squidude]

I've heard that Humbolt squid are indeed edible and that they are sought after in california for the backyard barbeque.

[shimamura]

[color="#ff0000"]Hello...

I've just discovered this website. The website made me happy!!



I am wondering if any squid fishing close to Vancouver, BC. I am sorry to dig up this 5 years old thread.



Happy Holidays!! Sean[/color]

[glen]

Hi Scuba Diver!



welcome to the forum! glad to have you aboard!



cheers, gloen <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/xyxthumbs.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':th' />

[shimamura]

[quote name='glen' post='17155' date='Dec 22 2009, 07:33 PM']Hi Scuba Diver!



welcome to the forum! glad to have you aboard!



cheers, gloen <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/xyxthumbs.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':th' />[/quote]





[color="#ff0000"]Thanks Glen for the welcome mat!



I just bought 2 jigs from Bass Pro Shop in U.S. online.







Do you think these are any good?? It's not as colorful as some prawn patterns.



Have you ever fish for octopus?? If you do, what is the best way to catch one, other than diving for it? I don't think it goes after the jigs like squids. In Japan, the fishermen would sink old pots in the ocean perhaps over night, and hoist them up to find the octopi in these pots. The octopi are also as good eating as squid! Ask any Japanese and Greeks!



Sean, the Scuba Diver.[/color]

[glen]

There are octopus jigs available. They usually have 2 large hooks on the upside.

[eriks]

Hey Scuba Diver

I'm also from Vancouver and was wondering how your squid fishing went? Or are there any other people from Vancouver who are successfully fishing anywhere in the Lower Mainland? I'd love any advice.

Thx

[shimamura]

[quote name='Erik' post='17632' date='Feb 23 2010, 01:33 PM']Hey Scuba Diver

I'm also from Vancouver and was wondering how your squid fishing went? Or are there any other people from Vancouver who are successfully fishing anywhere in the Lower Mainland? I'd love any advice.

Thx[/quote]





Hey Erik,



I am in process of buying a boat, and have not tried squid fishing yet. I am looking forward, though! <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':th' />

It would be nice if we could catch them on the Lacarno Pier here in Vancouver, but have not seen any ink on the pier. <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/crying.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':ink' /> I also would like to hear from anyone for any feedback from around Vancouver!



Happy Squidding, Sean

[nala]

Hey Scubadiver,



I have seen and caught occys on prawn style squid jigs, normally as a very welcome by catch when targeting squid. I think the 'pot' or wide PVC pipe, closed at one end with a weight works well for occys, but it is like a crab pot, got to let them sit for some time. Baiting them is probably a good idea as well. I have not tried this techinque but a mates (Greek) father is always getting good occys here in Melb Australia using this techinique.



I might have to get the fine points from him some time.



Hope this helps,



nala

[shimamura]

[quote name='nala' post='17641' date='Feb 24 2010, 02:25 AM']Hey Scubadiver,



I have seen and caught occys on prawn style squid jigs, normally as a very welcome by catch when targeting squid. I think the 'pot' or wide PVC pipe, closed at one end with a weight works well for occys, but it is like a crab pot, got to let them sit for some time. Baiting them is probably a good idea as well. I have not tried this techinque but a mates (Greek) father is always getting good occys here in Melb Australia using this techinique.



I might have to get the fine points from him some time.



Hope this helps,



nala[/quote]



Hello Nala,



I've heard some people pour some cement in the large PVC pipe, and sink it over night to catch octopus.

Here in the Pacific Northwest in Canada, we have the world largest North pacific giant ocotopus. Some of them weigh over 60 Kg!



The fine points from the Greek father would be much appreciated! <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':ink' />



Cheers, Sean