The Ultimate Guide to Squid Jigging: Catching Squid with Lures

Are you passionate about jigging for squid and want to learn the best techniques for catching squid with lures? Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the tips and tricks you need to master the art of squid jigging. From the best gear to use to the top locations for squid fishing in Australia, we’ve got you covered.

Why Squid Jigging?
Squid jigging is not only a fun and exciting way to fish, but it also yields delicious rewards. Squid are highly sought after for their tender and flavourful meat, making them a favorite among seafood lovers. In many places, squid fishing can be done year-round, providing ample opportunities for anglers to hone their skills. Plus, they are a prolfic and productive species, so the fishery is sustainable.

Best Locations for Squid Fishing in Australia

• Southern Queensland: Arrow and tiger squid are prevalent in areas with clean, clear water and structures like weed beds, reefs, and rock walls. Key locations include Peel, Green, Goat, Bird, Mud, and King Islands, as well as Moreton and Stradbroke’s western weed beds.
• Victoria: Popular spots include Clifton Springs, St Leonards, Queenscliff, Portarlington, and Indented Heads. High tide and dusk are the best times for these areas.
• South Australia: Peak times include October to December at Fleurieu Peninsula, May to August at Eyre Peninsula, and December to March at Gulf St Vincent and Encounter Bay.
• Tasmania: Renowned for its abundant squid populations, top fishing spots include Eaglehawk Neck, Hobart’s Derwent River, and the Tasman Peninsula. The best times are during the cooler months, particularly from March to June.
• New South Wales: Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay, and Jervis Bay are excellent locations for squid fishing. Squid can be caught year-round, but the period from late autumn to early spring is especially productive.
• Northern Territory: Darwin Harbour and its surrounding areas are prime spots for squid fishing. The dry season from May to October offers the best conditions with clearer waters.
• Western Australia: The waters around Fremantle, Rottnest Island, and the southern coastal regions like Albany and Esperance are ideal for squid fishing. The prime months are from November to April.

Techniques for Squid Jigging

Common advice for newbies to working squid jigs involves a sequence of whips/jigs followed by allowing the jig to sink back and even hit the bottom. In particularly snaggy areas, allow the jig to sink close to bottom to and then whip the rod tip up again. More often than not the squid will take the jig on the drop. Snagged jigs can usually be recovered, especially when fishing from a boat. Slow rolling the jig close to the bottom can also work, at times.

Squid can usually be caught right through the day by working shallow, rocky or weedy areas with good water clarity, plenty of flow and an abundance of baitfish or prawns. Night fishing near artificial lights is also very effective as the light pools generally attract baitfish, which in turn attract squid.

Timing and Conditions

• Best Times: In northern Australia the dry season brings clearer inshore waters, which coincides with the squid migration to shallow waters for spawning. In southern Australia the warmer months are often more productive. 
• Tides: High tides allow the squid to move in very close to shore, where they like to hunt. But in many places squid can be caught right through the tidal cycle. They key thing is to have water movement and look for pressure points where squid can ambush bait caught in the current. 
• Water Clarity: Clear water and still conditions are generally preferred by squid and increase the thrill of spotting and targeting them. 

Essential Equipment for Squid Jigging

• Rods, reels, lines and leaders: Squid can be caught on just about any decent flathead, snapper or jewfish rod that you’d use to cast soft plastics around estuaries. However, you’ll definitely do even better with specialised gear. Longer rods of 8ft (or more) are perfect, especially if you’re land-based fishing. Softer rods with parabolic cuves tend to wrk the jigs more effectively and reduce the number of squid that are lost.
• Squid Jigs: Preferences for jig types vary from location to location. Jigs are available in different sizes, weights and colours. Which one you choose depends on water clarity, depth and the preferences of the squid on the day. 

ALF Episodes About Squid Jigging (aka “Eging”)

The ALF episodes below either focus 100% on how to catch squid on jigs, or they have a significant component about targeting this species.