🎣 Ultimate Guide to Boat-Based Squid Fishing

When it comes to fishing for squid, location is key. Squid are often found in shallow waters, ranging from 1m to 20m deep. Look for areas with weed beds, broken ground, seagrass, or reef structures — these environments are ideal hunting grounds for squid.

🚤 Drifting & Active Jigging

One of the most effective techniques is drifting. Allow your boat to move naturally with the current or wind while casting your jig in the direction you’re drifting. This helps mimic natural prey movement.

1. Get to the Bottom: Use a jig that’s appropriately weighted. Once it’s near the bottom, work it with a series of lifts and pauses.
2. Wind-and-Pause Technique: Lift the rod, then pause — squid often hit on the drop.
3. Sleeper Rods: Drop a second jig behind the boat and leave it drifting passively.

🎥 Watch the Squid Session

📍 Side Scan Sonar & GPS Tricks

Use your fish finder’s side scan to locate prime squid habitat like reef patches and weed beds. Mark your drift start/end points using GPS and turn on the trail function to fine-tune your drifts. When you find a hot patch — hit that mark!

🦑 Choosing Jig Size & Colour

• Size 2.5: My go-to — slow sink rate and highly effective.
• Jig Colours:
  • Blue skies – use white jigs
  • Overcast – red jigs
  • Green water – green jigs

Start small. Larger jigs are better when you’re struggling to reach the bottom or chasing bigger squid offshore.

🎣 Rod, Reel & Line Setup

A 2500 size reel matched to a light rod is perfect for squid jigging. Use 6–8 lb braid with an 8 lb mono leader. In shallow water, you can skip the leader and tie straight to the jig if using mono.

⏰ Best Time to Squid Fish

Fish the last few hours of either tide — especially around low light periods (dawn/dusk). Spring and autumn are prime seasons when big squid push into bays to spawn.

📸 Top Jig Picks

Shimano Sephia Flash Boost
Proven performer in avocado colour

Yamashita 2.5 EGI-OH
Squid attacking in shallow reefy ground

🎬 More Tips from Reedy’s

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