Chloe Zhang
Plastic squid lures are moulded latex lures designed to look like a squid, not to catch them. They are often scented with fish-attracting liquid or oil. There are several ways to rig a plastic squid, depending on the type of jig and the desired use case. For example, floating squid jigs need to be attached to a weighted rig, whereas small squid lures are usually fished unweighted on dropper loops.
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What You'll Learn
How to thread the hook through the lure's head
To thread the hook through the lure's head, start by making up the rig with dropper loops, tying them long, around 4 inches (100mm) or so. Then, push the hook point through the nose of the plastic squid and continue to thread the hook through the lure until the eye of the hook is concealed inside its head. This is a simple and quick method, but it might not be the most effective. Over time, the drag of the water will pull the plastic squid lure over the hook eye, leaving it bunched up around the bend of the hook. This means that when a fish bites, the lure can pull back through the hole and be lost.
To avoid this issue, you could try a different method of rigging the plastic squid lure. One option is to use a single-strand wire connected to a double hook by a haywire twist. The lead sinker can be snugged up tight inside the head of the lure, and the haywire twist can be adjusted to ensure the hook is correctly positioned within the lure skirt. This method provides more security and can help to prevent the lure from slipping off the hook.
Another option is to use a weighted rig, particularly for floating squid jigs that need some weight to be effective. These rigs can be attached to the floating squid jig, which is usually differentiated by its symmetrical plastic body and lack of external weight. A weighted rig can add the necessary weight to help the lure sink and reach the desired depth.
Additionally, when rigging a plastic squid lure, it is important to consider the size and type of lure. Small squid lures, or "muppets", are typically fished unweighted on dropper loops along with a metal jig for vertical jigging. Mid-size plastic squid lures, especially those with fish-attracting scent oil, work well on Carolina rigs. Larger bulbhead plastic squid lures are often used for trolling offshore, either as surface skippers or weighted for trolling at depth.
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Using floating squid jigs
Floating squid jigs are used for vertical jigging. They are usually rigged in tandem with a sinker or a sinking jig at the bottom. Most anglers rig their jigs off the main leader by dropper loops. However, this can dampen the motion of the lures and make it harder to feel light squid strikes. An alternative is to rig the jigs directly onto the vertical leader "dropshot style". This method gives you more control over the lure's action and is tangle-free.
To set up a dropshot rig, start with a piece of 10- to 12-pound fluorocarbon about 6 feet long. Tie one of your jigs onto the line using a Palomar knot, leaving a tag end of about a foot long. Then, tie a loop knot on this end for a sinker, so that the jig will be 6 to 10 inches from the bottom.
When using floating squid jigs, cast beyond the point where any light shines and let the jig sink for at least 10 seconds. Begin darting the jig in and reel in the slack. Squid jigs are often weighted towards the head, so you can let them drop to the bottom and jig them back up. Adding weight to your jig can be helpful.
Squid will approach the bait within striking range and stalk it as it sinks. They will strike out with their two long tentacles when the jig reaches the bottom. Keeping a tight line may allow you to feel a faint tap as this happens. At this point, raise your rod gently to set the spikes and hook the squid. Sometimes, you may feel multiple taps as the squid tests the lure. If you don't feel the squid strike, repeat the snapping process and you will feel the weight of the squid on the jig. Once you've hooked a squid, don't rush to reel it in as it may be hooked by only one tentacle.
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The different types of squid lures
Plastic squid lures are designed to look like a squid, but not actually catch them. They are moulded latex lures that are part of the 'healthy eating' list for most saltwater fish. There are a few different types of squid lures, each with its own unique characteristics and purpose.
Small squid lures, also known as 'muppets' in the UK, are typically fished unweighted on dropper loops along with a metal jig for vertical jigging. These are used over wrecks, reefs and broken ground where cod and pollack are abundant. To rig a muppet, create dropper loops of around 4 inches (100mm) and push the hook through the nose of the squid, threading it through until the eye of the hook is concealed inside the head.
Mid-size plastic squid lures are often impregnated with a fish-attracting scent oil. These perform well on carolina rigs.
The Berkley Saltwater Gulp Plastic Squid Lures are well-known scented lures supplied in resealable sachets containing fish-attracting liquid. It is important to note that these lures require movement to be effective, as fish are likely to ignore them if left motionless.
The Bulbhead Squid Lure, often referred to as a Tuna Clone, is a firm favourite among offshore trollers. It is rigged on single-strand wire, connected to a double hook by a haywire twist, with the lead sinker snugly fitted inside the head of the lure.
Floating squid jigs are another type of squid lure that can float or have neutral buoyancy. They are typically attached to a weighted rig and can be identified by their symmetrical plastic bodies and lack of external weight.
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How to jig for squid
Jigging for squid can be a fun and rewarding pursuit, but it requires some knowledge and preparation to be successful. Here is a guide on how to jig for squid effectively:
Selecting the Right Squid Jig:
When choosing a squid jig, you will come across a wide variety of designs and price points. While cheaper jigs can be tempting, they often have poor performance characteristics. They tend to have loose cloth that gets destroyed quickly by squid, faulty tow points, blunt and heavy hooks, and unnatural actions during the sink and retrieve. Opt for mid-range squid jigs that offer better value for money and improved durability. Look for jigs with tight cloth, realistic 3D eyes and feathers, and a proven sink and action. The Egilicious range, for instance, offers good performance at a reasonable price.
Rigging the Jig:
To rig a plastic squid lure effectively, follow these steps:
- Create dropper loops around 4 inches (100mm) long.
- Push the hook point through the nose of the squid lure, and continue threading the hook through the lure until the eye of the hook is concealed inside its head.
- Note that this basic rigging method has a drawback. Over time, the drag of the water may pull the plastic squid lure over the hook eye, causing it to bunch up around the bend of the hook. This can result in the loss of the lure and the fish.
- To address this issue, consider other rigging techniques or modifications, such as using a haywire twist to connect the hook to single-strand wire, ensuring the hook is correctly positioned within the lure skirt.
Fishing the Jig:
When fishing for squid, consider the following:
- Structure: Focus your efforts around structures such as weed beds, rock bars, rock walls, shoals, headlands, and jetties. Squid tend to ambush prey, take shelter from predators, and lay their eggs in these structured environments.
- Depth and Weight: Depending on the area, squid may move close to structures in deeper water, requiring weights on your squid jigs or paternoster rigging to reach effective depths. In other areas, they may hold in shallower water.
- Vertical Jigging: Floating squid jigs are used for vertical jigging and are typically rigged in tandem with a sinker or a sinking jig on the bottom. While dropper loops can be used, they may dampen the motion of the lures and make it harder to feel light squid strikes.
- Rod Selection: When fishing from a boat, a rod designed for squid fishing is advantageous. These rods have a balanced action for casting squid jigs, power in the bottom half, and a responsive tip section. They also minimise the chances of tearing the jigs from hooked squid.
- Jig Size: Squid jigs come in various sizes, with size 3.0 being a good starting point for most areas.
- Colour: Squid jigs come in different colours, and selecting a few colours can improve your chances.
- Time of Day: While squid can be caught throughout the day, they may move to deeper waters during daylight hours, requiring you to get your jig deeper.
Remember, squid are intelligent creatures, and it is essential to present your lures in a natural and attractive manner. With practice and persistence, you'll be on your way to becoming a squid jigging master.
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The best scented lures
When it comes to scented lures for squid fishing, there are a few options that stand out as the best. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for choosing and using scented lures for squid fishing:
The Berkley Saltwater Gulp Plastic Squid Lures are one of the most well-known scented lures on the market. These lures are soaked in Berkeley's fish-attracting liquid and are supplied in resealable sachets to keep them fresh. It is important to note that these lures require movement to be effective; simply letting them sit in the water is unlikely to produce results. The Bulbhead Squid Lure, often known as a Tuna Clone, is another popular option for offshore trolling. This lure is rigged on single-strand wire and features a double hook with a lead sinker snugly fitted inside the head.
Another effective option for squid fishing is the Glavoc 1.5 Soft Full Flash jig. This lure features a stainless steel reinforced ring and basket, vivid colours, a soft body, flash rough linen, and strong hooks. The unique design of this lure allows it to slowly sink at a rate of one foot per second, staying in the strike zone during each pull. Flexible jigs, such as the TATAKI, are also a good choice for squid fishing. The gel-based body allows for quick action underwater and a slow descent during breaks.
For those seeking a natural look, the REAL FISH lure is a great option. This lure resembles a natural surmulet and features vivid colours, strong hooks, and a luminous body. The Sephia Clinch JET BOOST Shallow is another long-casting EGI squid lure that is perfect for shallow water fishing from the shore. It has a slow fall rate of 7.4 seconds per meter and contains Shimano BOOST technology for maximum performance and visual attraction.
Lastly, the Squidtrex Squid Vibe Lure is a unique and highly effective option for catching squid. This lure combines a soft vibration with a squid-shaped body and features strong TPE soft plastic construction. The tentacles create a realistic movement that entices bites when sinking or even at rest. The Squidtrex can be jigged vertically at various speeds or cast over shallow flats, making it a versatile option for squid fishing.
When rigging plastic squid lures, it is important to consider the size and type of lure. Mid-size plastic squid lures, especially those impregnated with fish-attracting scent oil, work well on Carolina rigs. Larger bulbhead plastic squid lures, on the other hand, are typically used for trolling offshore. It is recommended to have a variety of colours and sizes available, as these lures can get beaten up after a few catches.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic squid lures are moulded latex lures designed to look like a squid, but not to catch them. They are used to attract and catch saltwater fish, as squid are on the 'healthy eating' list for most saltwater fish.
First, make up the rig with dropper loops, tying them around 4 inches (100mm) long. Then, push the hook point through the nose and continue threading the hook through the lure until the eye of the hook is concealed inside its head.
The Berkley Saltwater Gulp Plastic Squid Lures are one of the best-known scented lures. They are supplied in resealable sachets containing fish-attracting liquid.
