Puget sound, WA (2013 season)

[ForagingAdventures]

I headed out for squid the first time this past Saturday.  I went to Elliot Bay Fishing Pier.  Caught a few small ones by the end of the night and met a few great people but the catching was slow.

[crabber]

No reports for over a week, must be gettin good out there.

[Squidman1]

Or it sucks and too cold to go out! and not worth posting about anything! ahah

[ForagingAdventures]

I went out last Satureday.  Elliot Bay Pier and caught a few.  But it was slow.

[mizm05]

So I'm the new guy on the block...been out 3 times and the most squid I've got in a night is 3...LOL

 

I'm a river fisherman, mainly salmon and steelhead, and since all the runs are late this year because of the light rain, the rivers need a couple, maybe a few weeks to heat up a bit more.  So I gave squidding a try and I like it!  And it doesn't hurt that they are so delicious.  But......just like river fishing, I obviously need to put my time in and have a lot of learning to do.  Not being racist in any way, but it's amazing to watch the Asians!  I can be right next to them fishing at the same depth, using a similar style jig and they are bringing them up and I'm not.

 

I've done my research on the internet regarding gear and technique, time of day, depth, etc, etc...I think I just have to put in some time and learn the ropes.

 

I'm currently using a 8 foot Lamiglas spinning rod in 8-12 lb rating with a med/fast action.  I need to change my line to all mono.  I just kept my river gear on the reel, which is the blue power pro braid.  I think that if they are catching sight of that line, it may be scaring them away.  I do run a mono leader from a snap swivel.  I will start a separate thread with my newb questions, cuz I've got a few.  LOL

 

Anyways, I hit Redondo and Des Moines last night from about 9pm to 3am.  Redondo was really slow, only a couple guys bringing up a couple here and there.  I got one at Redondo, and then decided to move on after a lull.  Well, my buddy said try Dash Point, so I get there only to find that it closes at dusk.  Which is too bad because it's a dark dock and right now they've got a massive Christmas tree out on the dock all lit up.  I'm sure that thing is a squid beacon for a mile out.  So I headed out and hit Des Moines.  I got 2 more at Des Moines, while the guys right next to me were pulling in some big ones (8-10 inches).  I finally had enough around 2:30am and had to get up at 7am for work, so I figured I should probably sleep for a couple hours.

 

I live in the South End...if anyone wants to teach a newb, I'm a quick learner.  I'm an experienced fisherman, just new to squid.  LOL...they are tough little buggers to feel on the line.

[BFOS]

Went to Shilshole from 8-10 PM last night got around 1.5 pounds. Squids where all different size.

[Luminous Loligo]

Sorry to repeat this but apparently the moderator belatedly posted the message being on vacation so I got no response. I was planning to come up from Portland and wanted some advice from the Puget Sound squidding community. Thanks in advance for helping to make my trip a success.

 

When would you expect the peak of the season to occur and where in the sound would peak numbers of squid be located now? Is the Seattle waterfront the most reliable location regardless of season timing?

 

Would you recommend evening high tides as the best time assuming they are around? Do you find that the extreme tides of new/full moons decrease the catch more than quarter moon tides?

 

What about the period around the full moon? Do you think that the light of the full moon disperses the schools or do you find the catches improve?

 

What piers around the Seattle Tacoma metro area have 24 hour access and the best lighting?

 

Also, I was looking to reach Yoda of Yoda's jigs. I have an email address but I am not sure it is still good. Can anyone put me in touch with him via pm?

 

Happy squidding.

[totalCatch]

fished pier 47 by boat last Friday night off the water before midnight.  Fishing was slow between the two of us we caught 11 large squid.  Anybody know other good spots to fish from boat?

[Ikasashi]

I'd recommend you switch to an 8' #5 fly rod and use the spinning reel with 8 lbs mono line.  Lamiglas is a great rod, but you need something really soft for squidding to feel the soft "grab" of the tentacles. If you don't feel that, and don't jerk the rod fast enough, the squid will let go of the jig and you won't catch them. Squid don't bite like fish do.  Fly rod will definitely help.  The next key is the jig.  Just watch for a good jigger and use the same jing he's using.  The reason most Asians do better is because they use the right jigs.

[NicLikesFish]

@ Luminous Loligo

Regarding tides - a lot of people will tell you that tide doesn't matter, which is true most of the time but in my experience fishing up north in Edmonds, i've had most success before the high tide peaks.

 

Fished edmonds last night from 7 to 10:30 and tide was going low...only got 1. Only a couple of people there and not many squids around...two seals. Hope the season isn't over yet.

[realfloor]

Went to Pt. Defiance last night at 6:58PM/(high tide in the Narrows). Usually do pretty well at high tide. The water conditions were perfect, and there were no seals. Did not see anything that resembled a squid all night. I here they are doing well off the Steilacoom dock at the ferry landing.

[Squidman1]

How much are they getting @ Steilacoom?

[NicLikesFish]

Got 4lbs @edmonds fri night to sat morning. Was very slow fri and started getting them in the am and it was low tide.

[Luminous Loligo]

Anybody squidding at Des Moines? What were the catches like this weekend?

 

Also, is there free 24 hour parking at Steilacoom pier?  Is Steilacoom well lit? Do they allow propane lanterns there?

[realfloor]

There is parking at steilacoom, and people do bring lights and gensets. Im sure I have seen lanterns.

[Soundbite]

Got 4lbs @edmonds fri night to sat morning. Was very slow fri and started getting them in the am and it was low tide.

I fished at Edmonds sat am from 5-7 and only saw one guy on the dock catch any I hope that was you, my question is that it was a high tide at 7:22 am and you said it was low...? Just a begginer and wanted to be clear.

[WashingtonSquid1]

3500 watt generator for sale! 250 obo Runs great only used for one season

[NicLikesFish]

I fished at Edmonds sat am from 5-7 and only saw one guy on the dock catch any I hope that was you, my question is that it was a high tide at 7:22 am and you said it was low...? Just a begginer and wanted to be clear.

Oops sorry. I mixed up the days. I was there sat to sun and it was indeed low tide

[mizm05]

Was at Dash Point last night and had the best night of my season.  Probably came home with 3 lbs...which is far from a limit, but as slow as this season has been, that's been my best night.  I use a colored LED floodlight.  There were 3 other guys when I got there with their white light, so I set up right next to them.  

 

It's funny, they were telling me how there's no squid there and the season is over...they were obviously just trying to scare me off so they could have the pier to themselves.  I don't listen to any of that stuff.  Fished next to them from about 6:30 to 7:30, and it wasn't fast and furious, but it was slow and steady...I wouldn't go more than 5 minutes without pulling up something.

 

When the other guys left at 7:30, things got magical!  Set my light to a blue/green tint and for the next 2 hours it was squid after squid on each drop of the jig.  Was hitting doubles (and I only run 2 jigs) and I even caught 2 squid on the same jig.  First time that's ever happened for me.  Had to wrap it up at 9:30 when the security guard showed up and yelled at me...but I told myself I had to stay until he got there because the streak just wouldn't stop.  Probably a combo of things.  My gear was the only gear in the water, so they flocked to it...and they are spawning, so they seemed real aggressive.  I could feel them come up and slam the jig.  

 

Water was dropping when I was fishing...low tide yesterday was 2:45pm, and I didn't start fishing until about 6:30pm.  By 9:30, water was quite low, but the squid kept hitting.

 

Maybe this night was a fluke...the season has been extremely slow...but I was happy last night.  Just be out of there before the security guard gets there...I guess the pier is technically supposed to be closed at dusk, and the security guard is a grumpy old guy.  He comes at different times to check.

 

[cagayanosquid]

Was at Dash Point last night and had the best night of my season.  Probably came home with 3 lbs...which is far from a limit, but as slow as this season has been, that's been my best night.  I use a colored LED floodlight.  There were 3 other guys when I got there with their white light, so I set up right next to them.  

 

It's funny, they were telling me how there's no squid there and the season is over...they were obviously just trying to scare me off so they could have the pier to themselves.  I don't listen to any of that stuff.  Fished next to them from about 6:30 to 7:30, and it wasn't fast and furious, but it was slow and steady...I wouldn't go more than 5 minutes without pulling up something.

 

When the other guys left at 7:30, things got magical!  Set my light to a blue/green tint and for the next 2 hours it was squid after squid on each drop of the jig.  Was hitting doubles (and I only run 2 jigs) and I even caught 2 squid on the same jig.  First time that's ever happened for me.  Had to wrap it up at 9:30 when the security guard showed up and yelled at me...but I told myself I had to stay until he got there because the streak just wouldn't stop.  Probably a combo of things.  My gear was the only gear in the water, so they flocked to it...and they are spawning, so they seemed real aggressive.  I could feel them come up and slam the jig.  

 

Water was dropping when I was fishing...low tide yesterday was 2:45pm, and I didn't start fishing until about 6:30pm.  By 9:30, water was quite low, but the squid kept hitting.

 

Maybe this night was a fluke...the season has been extremely slow...but I was happy last night.  Just be out of there before the security guard gets there...I guess the pier is technically supposed to be closed at dusk, and the security guard is a grumpy old guy.  He comes at different times to check.

 

 

glad its not over yet. going to  try it at des moise marina this week end.