Are You Squidding Me?
How to Go Squid Fishing in Seattle Southside
Squidding, or going fishing for squid, is a fun nighttime activity for both novice and advanced anglers. But how do you do it?
Why Squidding?
Squid are delicious, easy to catch, and they make great bait if you're angling for a larger catch, especially if you like surf fishing. While squid are present and catchable in the Puget Sound year-round, they come in large numbers during the late fall/early winter. In fact, the MaST Center celebrates Squid-a-Rama every year in November to mark the beginning of the squid season. You can enjoy squidding even if you aren't a particularly skilled angler - they're very easy to catch, require minimal tools, and the payoff is big. After all, fresh calamari is delicious and easy to prepare, and it's super rewarding to eat something you've caught yourself!
Since you don't need a boat and you need very few specialized tools, it's a lot more affordable and reasonable for a visitor to enjoy, as it requires very little investment (if you choose to buy the tools you need here) or risk (if you bring your own from home). Plus, a shellfish license is less expensive than a full fishing license, so it's more affordable on that front as well. If you're a hobby angler visiting the Seattle area and looking for the right way to get your fishing fix, this is how to get it!
Tools of the Trade
You will need:
- A shellfish/seaweed fishing license - Either a standalone shellfish license or a combination fish/shellfish license is needed to go squidding. This one is non-negotiable! You can learn more about licensing from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
- A Place to Catch Squid - Squid feed at night and are attracted to light, so public piers that are well-lit are perfect for catching squid. We recommend the Des Moines Marina pier or the Redondo Beach pier.
- A lightweight fishing pole - if you use a heavy one you won't feel it when the squid latch on, so a lightweight pole (even a kid's fishing pole!) is needed. Some advanced squidders use no pole at all, just a line in their hands!
- Lightweight fishing line - You'll need a 6-20lb line, The lighter the better - you need to be able to feel the tug when a squid latches on.
- A small bucket with strainer - You need a bucket to catch your haul in and you'll want a strainer because finding squid in their ink is very difficult. You can buy fishing buckets that have a strainer built in or you can use a mesh bag. For limit reasons, each person squidding needs their own bucket.
- A squid jig - This specialized lure (pictured above) is needed for attracting and catching squid. Colman's Squid Jig Warehouse, based out of nearby Auburn, Washington, makes some fantastic jigs.
- Flashlight/Lantern - Your phone's flashlight works fine for this, but you'll need some light to see by, plus the light attracts the squid.
- Clothes for a Mess - You will get inked. Wear something that's dark to hide the stains, or wear clothes you don't mind getting stained, because ink will happen.
- Optional: Mini shop light - This is handy for shining on the surface of the water because squid are attracted to light - either connect to a generator or an outlet, which you can sometimes find on the pier. The very end of the Des Moines Marina pier has outlets.
Squidding 101
When to do it: The night time is the right time for squid, as this is their prime feeding time. It's better at high tide and during the full moon, but as long as you're going at night you're likely to catch something.
Where to do it: Pick your favorite pier. Well-lit is best, like the Des Moines Marina pier, as the squid are attracted to light. For an even bigger impact, you can set up a shop light to shine directly onto the water where you drop your jig, as this will attract even more squid.
How to do it: Once you've found your well-lit spot (or made a well-lit spot for yourself), set up your bucket and pole and get to squidding. Set up your pole with a squid jig, using 1-3 jigs per line. More advanced anglers use multiple jigs, but one is best for a beginner. Charge up your jigs using your flashlight (or the flashlight on your cell phone). Because the jigs glow in the dark, they need to be hit with bright light for a few seconds to make sure they glow underwater. Once you're set up, there's no need to cast, just drop the lure down. Take the rod and "jig" it up then lower it slowly, making the lure look more like a real shrimp. When you pull up and feel weight on the line and see the pole bending, that means you've got a squid latched on! Reel it in and collect your catch. Unlike most fishing, you don't need specialized tools to remove the hook: just turn the jig upside down over your bucket, and the squid will slide right off into the bucket...though probably not without inking you first.
Tips and Tricks: You won't need a net, as these squid are fairly small and slide directly off the jig into your bucket. There will be a lot of dead time, much like with other fishing. You will sometimes see a school of squid on the water and that's when you really want to actively be squidding. It's a waiting game but when those schools come you'll catch a bunch one right after the other, sort of feast or famine.
Jig deep but not touching sea floor, as you're more likely to get your line entangled with seaweed and need to cut it, which means leaving behind trash that can affect wildlife. You might reel in some seaweed or friendly crabs or starfish, but just toss them back in. Any crabs you catch are unlikely to be large enough to be a legal catch, and crab are out of season during the winter anyhow.
And that's all there is to it! Don't be afraid to talk to any other anglers you see on the pier, and may you fill up your catch bucket quickly!
Is calamari a squid or octopus?
Octopus is commonly confused with calamari, however, they are both very different in taste, whether served raw or cooked. It's quite common for people to mistake calamari dishes for dishes made from octopus.
What kind of squid is found in Seattle's Puget Sound?
The most common species of squid found along Washington's coast, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound is known as market squid or opal squid (Loligo opalescens) and measures less than a foot in size. It has a mild, sweet flavor and can be sauteed, grilled, or even deep-fried.
Is calamari squid?
Yes, calamari are squid but to be precise, calamari are a type of squid. The main difference is that calamari are generally smaller in size.
How many tentacles does a squid have?
Squid have 10 arms but two of their arms are longer than the other eight and are called tentacles.
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