Squid Rig for the upcoming WMO

[Fish-N-Fool]

Keith Fraser of Alltackle requested I explain my “easy” procedure for rigging squid. Ballyhoo may be the primary rigged bait trolled in the mid-Atlantic, but I ask, “How many ballyhoo are found in the stomach of tuna or any other pelagic caught off the mid-Atlantic?” Do not get me wrong, ballyhoo are my number one rigged bait. However, squid are in the stomach of almost every fish caught. It stands to reason that squid should have a dedicated place in our spreads. Most pelagic are going to eat squid when properly presented. Then why are squid not in most trolling spreads? The answer is easy, they are a pain to rig in the conventional method. I despise the time consuming process of sitting in the pit each evening sewing up squid for the next day. This caused me to come up with my own quick rigging method. I am not saying there is anything wrong with the time proven rigging technique of using a float, crimp, wax thread and sewing needle. However, the rigging method I am about to explain is quick and produces results. Also, I find that by using a sinker in place of the float, the squid runs under water producing better results when targeting tuna and does not wash out as when skipping around on the surface. There are times you may want a squid trolled on the surface, but if that presentation is not required in your trolling application, give my method a try.
Try to obtain local squid caught in the mid-Atlantic region, it is meaty, unlike the thin flesh of California squid. Although, a couple boxes of frozen California squid can be used and is one of the least expensive baits that can be carried onboard.

I like to use a short shank hook appropriate for the squid’s size. Typically a 7/0 to 9/0 fits the bill. Begin constructing the rig by sliding a ½ -3/4 ounce egg sinker onto the leader and crimp on the hook. Crimp a wind-on swivel to the other end of the leader. The rig is complete! That’s all there is to it with the exception of a piece of rubber band. Before rigging the squid, take a measurement so the egg sinker will be located just inside the squid when the hook is inserted in the head. The measurement needs to be correct and assure the squid is straight once rigged. A piece of the rubber band is tied around the leader tightly to prevent the egg sinker from sliding down the leader.

Take a piece of number twelve wire and using pliers, bend a very small hook into the end just large enough to hook the swivel. This is used to fish the leader through the squid.


Slide the wire up through the body of the squid and come out the top. Slowly pull the swivel and leader through the body. The small swivel will pull right through the top of squid with hardly any damage. Pull through remaining line until the egg sinker rest in the end of the squid. Insert the hook into the squid head and the rig is ready to be fished. The egg sinker secured with the rubber band prevents the squid from sliding down the leader.

A half dozen can be made up in a few minutes. Changing bait only requires tying on a new rig to the leader for wind-on applications, or the swivel can be attached to a snap swivel if a Bimini double line trolling setup is being used. The finished squid can be trolled at six knots for a solid 30 minutes or better before washing out. Remember not to allow the rigged squid to come in contact with fresh water (melted ice) which discolors the squid. More detail of this rigging technique and others natural bait rigging instructions are available in my book Offshore Pursuit available at most tackle shops and online at www.getgup.com. Good luck to everyone in the White Marlin Open.

[Tuna Taxi]

I can't tell you how many times I've tried to learn squid rigging only to hear that it is too much of a pain in the ass to be worth it. This technique looks like a piece of cake (well, maybe a bit of care is involved). If the wind lets up, I'll be giving these a try this weekend. Thanks for the 101.

[miss adventure]

Thanks

I was just thinking about that the other day.......Thanks again

Brad

[Sea Draggin]

Looks easy enough. There good for dolphins also.

[Cowboy]

Great post I will be adding this to my arsenal for sure, thanks for taking the time and sharing.

[dckhd247]

Looks Great! Do you have any problems with it spinning???

[babalaza]

thks for the info mate, that squid looks tasty

About time for me to try them!

[junior trade]

Thanks for the post. If you rig them the night before, how do you store them until use? I see you can't put them on ice. Also, do you do anything to toughen them up like Bionic Brine?

[Fish-N-Fool]

Junior Trade...rig them the night before, just be sure to place a barrier between the squid and the ice, such as a piece of aluminum foil or as I use, a piece of stainless steel which fits inside a 48 quart cooler with blocks of ice on the bottom and the drain plug removed. The rigged trolling bait (ballyhoo, mullet, squid) are then covered by a piece of terry cloth soaked in “saltwater.” The bait will hold overnight. This removes the hassle of trying to rig in the morning with the boat running into a four foot head sea. I do not salt down or place bait in a brine unless they are in less then good condition, which I try to avoid at all cost. Visually eyeball bait closely before walking over to the register. If you deal with the same tackle shop on a regular basis, most owners/employees take care of you with quality bait. Good bait = a good bite. Do not try and make bait “last” longer then its life expectancy. When you add up the cost of fuel, tackle, etc. spending an extra $20.00 to change bait often is more then worth the expense. I check trolling bait every 1/2 hour. If I find a bait(s) not in pristine condition, I change it. There is nothing worst then having no action for a couple hours, only to check bait and find it has picked up a small piece of grass, plastic, etc. or find a ballyhoo has blown out the bottom cavity. Check bait often and change as required, it will increase the number of pull downs.
dckhd247...Concerning spinning, if you take care measuring where to position the egg sinker and tie the rubber band in the proper position, you will find absolutely no problem with spinning. Actually, squid are easier to rig then ballyhoo. When you check the stomach contents of the first tuna thrown on the deck (this should be SOP) you may find that pulling three or four squid in the spread is just the ticket for filling the kill box on those days when bites are far and few between with ballyhoo!

[biebs]

You can also use an old ilander head with the hair cut off stuffed up in the mantle. Holds it well in place with a crimp and runs smooth. Cant beat a squid.