Anyone into "squiding"?

[stickbom!]

This might be a little odd for local context but does anyone here wants to pick up squiding? I'm considering whether to get a squid rod... a friend from Japan gave me lots of squid lures and I've bought quite a lot of them locally too... think its high time to put them to use!!

Good thing about squid rod... when squids not biting can attach a sabiki and catch selar!! (when you're on a Kelong)

[jigjigjig]

There has been quite abit of interest in eging in s'pore of late and our isle is a perfect place for this sport! Decent greeneyes (the best tasting!) can be caught shore-based at various places and the best reward is the best tasting ika sashimi one could ever experience!

Squids are scientifically proven as smart creatures with the ability to learn, thus it becomes a challenge to trick on egi (lure). In highly-pressured japan it takes real skill to catch a decent ika dinner but in s'pore where they are relatively un-targeted it can be pretty straightforward. Even so, getting into the finer points like egi-actions, colours and jig-methods can and will get you better rewards, especially when the eging gets tough...

The japanese have got eging down to an artform and the immense R&D that has resulted in the tackle we have today for eging is amazing!

Compared to fish, squids definitely don't fight as well but its the whole concept of the hunt which takes it to the level it is! I'm really hoping the Aori-ika (greeneyes) we have in s'pore is of the same species as those in temperate waters like japan because those they have grow to 10kgs and are a formidable match! As a benchmark so far, a kilo-sized specimen is a trophy from shore in local waters, until someone breaks the code!

Though as anglers we always aim for bigger specimens, for the table a sub-300gm squid would be best, any bigger and it'll be tough to chew on! As with fish, it is advised to release any squid unintended for the table. An important point to note for successful releasing of squid is to ALWAYS keep the head facing up when handling or unhooking, once the water empties from its body sac the squid will die.

Word of warning : eging can become an addiction!

Hope this little info might help! Happy eging and a Merry X'mas!

[edylie]

Hi jigjigjig,

Thank you for sharing with us such a detail information on eging!

I have tried to catch some squids when I was in Rompin earlier part this year. It was a lot of fun and they taste super good ... just plain raw without anything (no kikoman sauce or wasabe needed)

Use a small scissor and cut the squid with skin removed into small pieces and there you go Instant Squid Gum.

I preferred to use pink color jig with very light poundage line.

Cheers,
Edy

[stickbom!]

Hi JJJ, thanks for the detailed insight on squiding! Just curious, is a leader required for squiding? I see "squid leaders" in Japan but I'm not sure if its a must or just an extra that can be omitted. I've got a Biomaster SR 2500 and "Santa" might just drop a squid rod into my X'mas stocking Do you think the 2500 will work for squiding? I'll be loading 10lb Fireline Crystal onto the SR2500 in preparation of my future career as a "squidder" Should I go lighter or heavier?

[edylie]

Mikey,

any 5$ reel can be used for squidding or sabiki jigging ... as for rod... a small and light (inexpensive) works just as well.

For leader just any 2$ is fine ... as long it is light in poundage.

Cheers,
Edy

[jigjigjig]

Hi Mike,

Squids hunt by sight and they do have really keen eyesight thanks to their big eyes! Fluorocarbon is prerequisite it seems, nothing more than 15lb if you ask me, but in high-eging-pressure japan some go as low as 4lb leaders!

As mentioned, S'pore squid aren't as educated because they're less targetted, so tackle choice doesn't really matter. 10lb should do fine, i personally use 4lb fireline on an ultralite outfit for maximum fun as our squids don't get really big!

The 2500 size reel should do fine, as Edy says, any tackle will catch squid. There aren't any hard fast rules to eging, i'm still learning the ropes and there's a mountain to climb...

There's alot of info in most japanese publications and i wish i could read and understand more, so if somehow you can get it translated i bet there's lots to learn!

[stickbom!]

Thanks JJJ, I've got Japanese friends who are really into squid fishing but the trouble is, they'll to go nuts trying to explain the finer details to me in English

Edy, I just learnt this from a colleage @ work "Biar Mati Action, Jangan Mati Accident" So... even though its "weako" squids that I'm trying to catch, must also do it in style! Just kidding bro I'm not about to invest in thousand dollar gear for squiding... happen to have a small spinner sitting at home and need a longer rod to handle sabiki rigs/squids when I'm fishing from a Kelong so what the heck... might as well go for a squid rod I'm really getting a kick out of catchin squid/selar these days.

[Jacktrevally]

I do in winter. There are a few types of jig but I classify them in 2 main categories, night and day fishing. For night fishing luminous is a must whereas for day fishing a non lumonous will do.

I use a 500-1500 size reel to target them with 4-8lb mono, maximum of 15lb Mono. I reckon 6lb fireline will handle them nice and easy.

For small squid a 2-2.5 jig will do for the bigger ones 3.5 is for the biggest I go and I caught them to 5lb+. A 20-25lb mono leader to handle them easier as most of the time I fish fpr a jetty/rock.

As for the rod I've used 5ft-7ft rod, a good tip to work the jig is what I will opt for however a soft tip will prevent over striking. Go for a stiffish tip so that you can work the jig easier. Give it some time before you set the hook on a jig you have a good hooking on the tentacles.

As for the night I choose a night with no moon, You still catch in full moon but I prefer no moon. As for the jig, the old Yozuris take light stick but I prefer charging them with a camera flash as they are brighter and last longer. Also, during the day/ night you can use Sardine oil on your jig, increase your catch rate. Herring oil as well will do the trick. You use a jar and use a few jig at a time leaving a couple dipping all the timeyou can just shuffle the jigs after 10 mins.

You can use bait to target them but it works when the squid are sitting in a current, all you need to do is to freeline a herring on those satay wire type jig or use a whole herring/ sardine with one fillet taken out from the fish.

Shimp hunter, shrimp hunter premium, pehromone are the few I trust but I'm not adverse using the cheaper ones as well.

[catalyst]

hey hey
i long time never jig liao..
just sold away my old eging set, makin way for new ones..

our coastal water do have IKA..but the season is over unless you dont mind smallies...best time for them are from sept to oct..hungrier & fatter..

fish i CNR, but IKA hehehehe no way lah...too nice to release...

some pic from this year..

[octopus]

Thank you JJJ for you input. Catching squid is real fun and I admit I addicted to this game. As a tackle shop told me, squid is smart like what JJJ said. When using a fast action rod, squid might release the jig when they felt pressure from the other end....

Now I wonder whether can I get a fly rod and modify the reel seat for this game. Reason for me is: fly rod easy to bring(few pcs), rod is long enough and not fast action tip...

[stickbom!]

Octo, squid lures are pretty heavy... I think you'll need AT LEAST a #10wt and up fly blank

[octopus]

Stickbom, thank for the infor... I will try hunt for the fly rod on #10wt this year.

Originally Posted by stickbom!

Octo, squid lures are pretty heavy... I think you'll need AT LEAST a #10wt and up fly blank

[MD06]

Hi stickbom

I'm into squdding too, went to Pulau Berhala (nail island) twice in aug.
There's eging ground in SG too.
My humble contribution, 100m of 4-6pound fireline should be enough as
squidding is finnese go as light as possible. I'm using no. 1.5 - 2.5 jigging master(terminator) fluro carbon as leader. 2000 - 2500 shallow spool reel is good enough. However i heard the taiwanese are using deep spool and 8pound in "peng hu" for 3-4kg giant.

Do check out the egging reel Shimano sephia, twin handle.
Jigging master also have some nice blank in orange, white and yellow.

CHEERS
MD

[stickbom!]

Thanks for the input MD. Jigging Master has squid rods too? Now that's truly refreshing to know!! I was checking out the shallow spool reels the last few days myself but it seems the local shops don't carry them. Might want to order a shallow 2500 spool for my Biomaster. It does make sense to use a shallow spool because 100m or so of Fireline 6lb would be more than enough for catchin Squid (and Selar too!)

[Sebby]

Sir, the squid rod from jigging master is very nice. It served me well both at pulau berhala and sultan shoal. Very nice to cast with. looks good from far too.

the other you can consider is the majorcraft triplecross. Oso very nice. Can get from AO.

[Sebby]

Sir, the squid rod from jigging master is very nice. It served me well both at pulau berhala and sultan shoal. Very nice to cast with. looks good from far too.

the other you can consider is the majorcraft triplecross. Oso very nice. Can get from AO.

[stickbom!]

Hi Sebby... you must be hoping GL made squid rods too right? Wife got me a Major Craft Crostage for X'mas. Now trying to find a promising spot to open ceremony the new rod

[MD06]

Hi Stickbom

Next sat or sun, i'm going to Kusu island to try out that place. Nice place with lots of coral. Last year during the 9th emperor praying season, went and try but got nothing. Strong current, No 3 egi cant stay, float away. Wanna try the other end, u interested?

A good place for breaking virgin of your rod will be punggol jetty(nite time)
Can get 100 - 400gm Green eye & small cuttlefish. Not easy to sangkok too. Can contact me if u r going during weekday for 2-3 hours game. I stay in hougang.My number is 90024664

Cheers
MD06

[Sebby]

Originally Posted by stickbom!

Hi Sebby... you must be hoping GL made squid rods too right? Wife got me a Major Craft Crostage for X'mas. Now trying to find a promising spot to open ceremony the new rod

Haha. Don't laugh at me k. I actually had a GL IMX SLATE HS9000 blank built for eging. Now it partners my jigging master when I go eging. Hehe. GL siao.

[stickbom!]

Originally Posted by MD06

Hi Stickbom

Next sat or sun, i'm going to Kusu island to try out that place. Nice place with lots of coral. Last year during the 9th emperor praying season, went and try but got nothing. Strong current, No 3 egi cant stay, float away. Wanna try the other end, u interested?

A good place for breaking virgin of your rod will be punggol jetty(nite time)
Can get 100 - 400gm Green eye & small cuttlefish. Not easy to sangkok too. Can contact me if u r going during weekday for 2-3 hours game. I stay in hougang.My number is 90024664

Cheers
MD06

Bro, the next few weekends I'll be tied up with stuff. But I promised a friend to go luring at the southern islands on the 10th of Feb. Would you be free then? Sebby if you're free, lets go do some squiding/luring together.

By the way, pls PM me your full names/contact numbers... its strange to call ppl up and call them by forum names

[Sebby]

Sure thing. Have lots of lures to try. Hehe.

Have pm you my contact.

Cheers,
--Sebby