Rigging Squid Jigs

[BillF1sher]

I wanted to get some feedback on how to rig squid jigs. We've been lucky enough to get a couple overnighters under our belts so far this season and each time we've had a decent squid turnout due to our underwater lights. We've caught some with the dip net but haven't had success with jigging them up - thats due to not really having a great idea on rig set up and not being able to give it a solid effort. We'd like to get the jigs working when the squid get boat/net shy.

How are most guys rigging their jigs?

In-line? Dropper loops? How Many Jigs?

What colors are recommended - green, orange, pink, white?

Anyone put glow sticks on their rig?

I've heard of using a diamod jig as a weight as well...

Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks!

[mako moron]

I normally just tie on a squid jig directly to an ultra light and cast out just beyond the lights and retrieve. if that does not work I scrap the jig spikes on the side of a washed out butterfish. Just enough to grab some meat and skin. you have to be careful when casting a retrieving since the butterfish will fall right off. This normally works pretty good unless they are totally boat and light shy. I then look at the ff to see where they are. if they are just below the surface I will keep the ultralight and tie a series of dropper loops, just far enough that the jigs when attached dont tangle. on the bottom loop I either loop a weighted squid jig or a bank sinker.
If the squid are DEEP, i change rods to a high speed reel that is just capable of cranking in a tuna. then do what I did above but use a diamond jig (like you heard) on the bottom. I have never got a tuna while doing this but I did get hit once and lost it after a few seconds since I was using a flukeing combo with 15lb test. (that was before I upgraded to the larger reel)

ive never tied them inline but i guess there is a reason they have the loop on the bottom aswell so I guess that would work, just never did that.

sorry for the long post on squid but it keeps you busy on long nights. and it delicious back at the dock.

[PortlyRedhead]

Make a dropper loop rig (use 50# or 80# mono) for your squid jigs, putting a weight on the bottom (be sure to use enough lead to keep your rig vertical). Lightly jig your rig in the part of the water column where you mark the squid and reel up when the rig gets heavy.

The Yozuri squid jigs are 100% worth the increased price over the cheap "Christmas lights" squid jigs. Go with the floating ones for your dropper loop rig so they stand out

You can also use the ultralight spinning rod method if you already have enough squid.

[hobie2]

I wanted to get some feedback on how to rig squid jigs. We've been lucky enough to get a couple overnighters under our belts so far this season and each time we've had a decent squid turnout due to our underwater lights. We've caught some with the dip net but haven't had success with jigging them up - thats due to not really having a great idea on rig set up and not being able to give it a solid effort. We'd like to get the jigs working when the squid get boat/net shy.

How are most guys rigging their jigs?

In-line? Dropper loops? How Many Jigs?

What colors are recommended - green, orange, pink, white?

Anyone put glow sticks on their rig?

I've heard of using a diamod jig as a weight as well...

Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks!

We mainly fish off of IRI/OCMD and couldnt get any on the jig until we tried this... Canyon Runner taught this and it has worked every time.

Dropper chain of about 3 jigs --brand has not mattered at all for us (cheap versus expensive --we have found the cheap actually hold together better)

Use 20-40lb flourocarbon. i think this is the key to the entire rig.

use a 3-4 ounce weight (or whatever it takes to get deep).

drop the chain for a while --almost spooling some of our flounder reels

slowly jig and reel and they will just grab on for the ride. try it out, you will be happy with the results.

[Captain Michael Buffington]

whether you fish one or five just tie them in a line with a sinker at the end about a foot below the last one. Hold it up to the light and drop it over. Let it down to desired depth and slowly reel it in with some jerks every once in a while(nothing dramatic). When he grabs it its just weight with some surges from his jet. Just calmly pump him up always keeping your rod bent and when he reaches the surface boat him and grab the lead. When you raise the lead above the squid he will fall right off.

Wear slickers and have a washdown hose

Mike