Is squid a vialble alternative to eels - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

fcap60 · 01-29-2006, 06:29 AM

I've been thinking of slipping a squid over a Needlefish body and tying it off (sort of like an eel skin plug).

Any thoughts ?

shadow · 01-29-2006, 07:34 AM

might fit better over the top of a slider or spook.

piemma · 01-29-2006, 07:41 AM

There is a Narragansett "sharpie", who doesn't frequent this forum, who last year caught a 39# and several others in the 30+ lb range, livelining squid. Not chunking it, but literally live lining them.

chipwood · 01-29-2006, 09:28 AM

Just fish the squid on the bottom and you'll catch more bass than anyone else. It takes too much effort to keep squid alive ( I'm sure some of you do it) especially from shore. Besides the bass don;t care if it's dead or alive. The big bass would rather have it dead and on the bottom. Now to use a squid like an eel skin. Squid are too delicate to use over and over. If you've ever fished with squid, you're constantly replacing your bait. By the way it sounds like you have'nt left squid in the back of your truck in a few days. That smell could be the worst you've ever smelled.

chipwood · 01-29-2006, 09:28 AM

Just fish the squid on the bottom and you'll catch more bass than anyone else. It takes too much effort to keep squid alive ( I'm sure some of you do it) especially from shore. Besides the bass don;t care if it's dead or alive. The big bass would rather have it dead and on the bottom. Now to use a squid like an eel skin. Squid are too delicate to use over and over. If you've ever fished with squid, you're constantly replacing your bait. By the way it sounds like you have'nt left squid in the back of your truck in a few days. That smell could be the worst you've ever smelled.

bart · 01-29-2006, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

There is a Narragansett "sharpie", who doesn't frequent this forum, who last year caught a 39# and several others in the 30+ lb range, livelining squid. Not chunking it, but literally live lining them.

does he wetsuit?

GBOUTDOORS · 01-30-2006, 07:59 AM

How about soaking them in a brine for a few hours to toughen them up a bit? I know when they drie out the skin is like leather.

Offshore · 01-30-2006, 09:34 AM

Squid are a lot tougher than they look. Brine might improve them. Back in the 60's we used to make up Squid daisy chains for Tuna by sewing them onto monel leaders. They would troll well for hours until hit by a tuna or shark.

JFigliuolo · 01-30-2006, 10:04 AM

I have seen some LARGE bass caught at an outflow. Squid rigged w/a float inside and a slip sinker to hold bottom in an eddy. THEN, this is the imp. part, A LONG chum line of diced squid. To slow for me... but I have seen it work more than a few times.

ThrowingTimber · 01-30-2006, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

There is a Narragansett "sharpie", who doesn't frequent this forum, who last year caught a 39# and several others in the 30+ lb range, livelining squid. Not chunking it, but literally live lining them.

hell of a fisherman!

lurch · 01-29-2006, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fcap60

I've been thinking of slipping a squid over a Needlefish body and tying it off (sort of like an eel skin plug).

Any thoughts ?

Sounds like a great idea!!

The only problem is that you would need a small squid due to the weight or a heavy rod.

Mr. Sandman · 01-29-2006, 09:49 AM

They make a steel insert in two sizes for fishing squid. (I forgot the maker) I have a few. It is a flat section with a couple of flared punched out pieces in the center to keep body of the squid fuller. It has a hole at each end one your leader and other for a hook. I have only used it a couple times. It seems to work but I don't think you could whip out a sqiud on a 10.5' surf rod the way you do an eel time after time. You can cast them but they are not as robust as an eel.

Drifting fresh dead (or live) squid out of a breachway or from a boat is pretty darn effective. They don't last very long before something grabs it. Dealing with live squid is a pain. (they bite! and the big ones hurt! and they require a good air-rator) The ones I use are dead. I catch them and vacume pack 6 or so in a pack right away and freeze them. They seem fine all season.

The hard core squid fishermen I know, catch about 6-10 squid and then go fishing right away. Most work the bottom with them.

btw, the big derby winner shore bone and albie....live whole squid off the dock.

The problem with supermarket or california boxed squid is they they are washed and cleaned, as the market is aimed at calamari lovers. IMO you are better off catching your own fresh local stuff. 1) they are bigger, 2) they have all the oils and jucies and smells of the real squid and 3) it is just fun catching squid. Some local bait shops sell "ink squid" these are local squid that were purchased by the tote from a dragger and the baitshop owner probably boxed and packaged them himself. They are not washed will work better then the supermarket type. I do a lot of fluke fishing and you can ask anyone on my boat what bait they want and it is that big fresh squid.

I think dead squid are fine because squid don't live very long and after they spawn most of them die within a short time later (30 days or so) and fall to the bottom...so for a fish to see a drifting dead squid on the bottom is a pretty natural thing.

Goose · 01-29-2006, 01:47 PM

Last year I got some decent bass mid day drifting squid, just enough weight to keep it down,small egg or rubba core. I'ld like to see a pic of that insert Jim.

Mr. Sandman · 01-29-2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose

I'ld like to see a pic of that insert Jim.

Next time I go up to the "fishing attic" I will dig them out and post a pic. I may have one still in the package if I dig around. I picked them up at #^&#^&#^&#^&'s B&T a few years ago.