Overview
Arrow squid hunt in open water rather than over weed, rising toward the surface at night and gathering around boat lights.
They are the preferred bait for southern game fishing and are excellent eating, though softer than calamari.
Sessions are usually vertical: drop a jig, count it down and jig it back through the school.
Where to find them
- ▸Open water in 20–60 m at night.
- ▸Around anchored boats running deck lights.
- ▸Continental shelf edges in southern waters.
- ▸Deep bays in winter.
Tackle
- ▸Rod: 7' light spin with a fast tip.
- ▸Line: 15 lb braid with 20 lb leader.
- ▸Jigs: weighted squid jigs size 3.0–4.0, sometimes on a paternoster of two.
Tips from the water
- ▸Run a bright deck light for 20 minutes before expecting squid.
- ▸Count the jig down through different depths until you find the school.
- ▸Keep a bucket of seawater for ink and land squid over the side.
Regulations
Size, bag and possession limits differ between states and can change each season. Check the current rules with your state fisheries authority before keeping a fish.