How to Catch Squid with Lure Fishing: A Beginner’s Guide to Successful Squid Angling

Let’s be real—squid fishing with lures (aka “lure fishing for squid”) is one of those things that sounds way trickier than it actually is. I remember my first time out: I thought I’d need a PhD in marine biology just to not look like a total newbie. Spoiler: I did look like a newbie… until I figured out the basics. Now? I’m that person who brags about bringing home fresh squid for tacos (sorry not sorry). If you’re ready to stop guessing and start catching, let’s dive in—no fancy jargon, just real talk from someone who’s been there.

First Things First: What Even Is Squid? (Spoiler: It’s Not a Fish)

Okay, let’s get this out of the way first—squid isn’t a fish. Shhh, don’t tell the grocery store labels that. They’re actually cephalopods (fancy word for “head-foot” creatures, which makes sense when you see their tentacles). Here’s the quick breakdown to sound like you know what you’re talking about at the dock:

• They’ve got 10 tentacles (8 short ones + 2 extra-long “feeding” ones) with suction cups that stick like glue (pro tip: don’t let them get your fingers—you’ll be picking suction cup marks off for hours).
• Two main types you’ll catch: common squid (chubby body) and flying squid (slimmer, faster—they’re the ones that sometimes “fly” out of the water, which is wild to see).
• They live in shallow waters (usually 20 meters deep, but they’ll move up and down depending on food) and love hanging out where there’s structure—rocks, reefs, even old shipwrecks.

And a quick public service announcement: Squid are fast. Like, “I blinked and it’s gone” fast. But more on that later—we’ll talk about how to outsmart them.

Why Lure Fishing for Squid Works (And Why It’s Better Than Bait)

Let’s be honest: Using live bait is a pain. You have to keep it alive, it attracts other fish you don’t want, and half the time it falls off before a squid even looks at it. Lures? Game-changer. Here’s why:

• They mimic squid’s favorite snack: Squid love small fish and crustaceans, and lures (usually called “squid jigs” or “wooden shrimp” in some circles) look just like their prey.
• No messy cleanup: No more slimy bait buckets or trying to unhook a squid that’s wrapped around your line like a noodle (okay, you still have to unhook them, but it’s less gross).
• You can cover more water: Casting a lure lets you reach spots that bait can’t, so you’re more likely to find a school of squid.

Trust me—once you try lure fishing for squid, you’ll never go back to bait. Well, maybe if you’re feeling lazy, but let’s not talk about that.

What Gear Do You Actually Need? (No, You Don’t Need a $1000 Rod)

Here’s the thing: You don’t need fancy gear to catch squid. I’ve seen people catch huge squid with a cheap rod and a $5 lure. That said, having the right basics will make your life way easier. Let’s break it down:

1. The Rod: Squid-Specific or Budget-Friendly?

You can get a dedicated squid rod, but honestly? A light spinning rod (6-7 feet) works just fine. Look for one that’s flexible at the tip—squid have soft mouths, so a stiff rod will yank the lure right out of their grasp. I use a $30 rod from a local tackle shop, and it’s held up for years. No need to break the bank here.

2. The Reel: Small and Smooth

You want a reel that’s small (1000-2500 size) and smooth. Squid will run when they’re hooked, and a rough reel will make it impossible to keep tension. I use a 2000 size reel with 0.6-1.5 lb test PE line (braided line is best because it’s thin and sensitive—you’ll feel every little tug).

3. The Line: Thin Is In

Braided line is your friend here. It’s thin, so squid don’t see it, and it’s sensitive enough that you’ll feel a squid nibble from a mile away. Add a 1-foot leader of 1 lb test carbon line (to prevent abrasion from rocks or squid beaks) and you’re good to go. Pro tip: Don’t use heavy line—squid are skittish, and they’ll bolt if they see a thick line.

4. The Lure: The Star of the Show

This is the most important part. You need a squid jig (also called a “wooden shrimp” because some are shaped like shrimp). They come in different weights (2-4 grams is perfect for beginners) and colors—bright colors (pink, orange, green) work best because they stand out in murky water. I always keep a few pink jigs in my tackle box—they’re like squid catnip.

Pro tip: Some jigs have glow-in-the-dark paint. If you’re fishing at dawn or dusk (squid’s favorite time), glow-in-the-dark jigs are a game-changer. They glow under UV light, so squid can see them even when it’s dark.

How to Rig Your Lure (It’s Easier Than Tying Your Shoes)

Okay, let’s get technical—sort of. Rigging your squid jig is super simple. Here’s how I do it:

1. Tie your main line to a small swivel (to prevent line twist).
2. Tie a 1-foot carbon leader to the other end of the swivel.
3. Tie a small loop at the end of the leader (use a simple overhand knot—no fancy knots needed).
4. Clip the squid jig onto the loop. That’s it!

Wait, that’s really it? Yep. I’ve overcomplicated it before (tried using a bunch of knots, added extra swivels) and it never worked as well. Keep it simple—squid don’t care about your fancy rig, they just care about the jig.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Catching Squid (No More “I Cast, I Wait, I Fail”)

Okay, let’s get to the good stuff—how to actually catch squid. I’m going to walk you through my go-to method, which I’ve used to catch dozens of squid (and yes, I’ve had my share of fails too).

1. Find the Right Spot (Squid Love Structure)

Squid don’t just hang out in the middle of the ocean—they love structure. Look for:

• Rocks or reefs (squid hide here to avoid bigger fish).
• Piers or docks (the shade from the structure attracts small fish, which attracts squid).
• Drop-offs (where the water goes from shallow to deep—squid wait here to ambush prey).

Pro tip: If you see other people catching squid, don’t be shy—ask them where they’re casting. Most anglers are happy to help (as long as you don’t crowd their spot).

2. Cast and Wait (But Not Too Long)

Once you’ve found your spot, cast your jig as far as you can (the further, the better—you’ll cover more water). Then, wait for the jig to sink. How long? It depends on the depth, but for 2-4 gram jigs, 15-30 seconds is usually enough. I count in my head: “1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi… 20 Mississippi.” If you wait too long, the jig will get stuck on the bottom (we’ll talk about that later). If you don’t wait long enough, the jig won’t be deep enough for squid.

Pro tip: If you’re fishing in shallow water (less than 10 meters), wait 10-15 seconds. If you’re in deeper water (10-20 meters), wait 20-30 seconds.

3. Retrieve the Jig (The “Squid Shuffle”)

This is the fun part—you have to make the jig look like a live shrimp or small fish. Here’s my go-to retrieve:

1. Start reeling slowly (like, “I’m in no hurry” slow).
2. Every 2-3 seconds, give the rod a quick twitch (like you’re flicking a bug off your arm).
3. Repeat: slow reel + quick twitch. That’s the “squid shuffle.”

Why does this work? Because it mimics a shrimp that’s swimming along, then darting away. Squid are curious—they’ll swim up to check it out, and when they see it moving, they’ll strike.

Pro tip: If you’re not getting bites, switch up the retrieve. Try reeling faster, or twitching more often. Squid are moody—some days they love the slow shuffle, other days they want it fast and crazy.

4. When You Feel a Tug (Don’t Panic!)

Okay, here’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: you feel a tug. What do you do? Don’t yank the rod. Squid have soft mouths, and if you yank, you’ll pull the jig right out. Instead:

1. Let the squid take the jig for 1-2 seconds (they’ll usually pull the line a little).
2. Slowly lift the rod tip (like you’re lifting a glass of water).
3. Start reeling slowly. That’s it!

Wait, that’s it? Yep. I’ve seen people panic and yank the rod, and they always lose the squid. Keep it slow and steady—squid are not strong fighters (unlike tuna or bass), so you don’t need to fight them.

5. The Big Reveal: Bringing the Squid to the Surface

Once you’ve reeled the squid close to the surface, you’ll see it—usually a silvery blob with tentacles flailing. Now, here’s the tricky part: getting it into your net (or boat, if you’re fishing from a boat). Squid will often “jump” out of the water when they’re hooked, so be ready to scoop them up quickly. Pro tip: Use a net with small holes (squid are slimy and will slip through big holes).

And a quick warning: Squid will spray ink when they’re scared. It’s not dangerous, but it will stain your clothes (and your face, if you’re not careful). So keep a towel handy, and don’t lean too close until the squid is in the net.

The Most Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Let’s be real—everyone makes mistakes when they start squid fishing. I’ve made all of these, so trust me when I say: avoid these at all costs.

1. Hanging the Jig (AKA “I’m Stuck on the Bottom”)

This is the most common mistake. You cast the jig, wait too long, and it gets stuck on rocks or reefs. How to avoid it?

• Don’t wait too long for the jig to sink (15-30 seconds max).
• When retrieving, keep the jig just above the bottom (you’ll feel the jig ticking against rocks—if it stops ticking, it’s stuck).
• If you do get stuck, don’t yank the line—you’ll break it. Instead, pull the line sideways (parallel to the water) to dislodge the jig.

Pro tip: I keep a spare jig in my tackle box—because let’s be honest, you’re going to lose at least one.

2. Using the Wrong Color Jig

Squid are picky about colors. If you’re using a brown jig in murky water, they won’t see it. Here’s a quick color guide:

• Murky water: Bright colors (pink, orange, green).
• Clear water: Natural colors (silver, white).
• Dawn/dusk: Glow-in-the-dark (they glow under UV light).

Pro tip: I always carry 3-4 different colored jigs. If one isn’t working, I switch to another. It’s that simple.

3. Rushing the Retrieve

Squid are not fast swimmers—they’re ambush predators. If you reel the jig too fast, they won’t have time to strike. Slow down! The “squid shuffle” (slow reel + quick twitch) is your friend.

Pro Tips for More Squid (From Someone Who’s Been There)

Okay, let’s wrap this up with some pro tips that will make you a squid fishing legend:

• Fish at dawn or dusk: Squid are most active when the light is low—they come up from the deep to feed, so that’s your best chance to catch them.
• Use a light: If you’re fishing at night, hang a light over the water. It attracts small fish, which attracts squid. I use a cheap LED light, and it works like a charm.
• Be patient: Squid fishing is not fast-paced. You might cast 10 times before you get a bite, but when you do, it’s worth it.
• Cook your squid right away: Fresh squid is way better than frozen. If you’re not going to cook it that day, freeze it immediately (but trust me—cook it that day. Tacos, anyone?)

And one last thing: Have fun! Squid fishing is not about catching a ton of squid—it’s about being outside, enjoying the water, and maybe bragging to your friends later. If you don’t catch anything, no big deal—just try again tomorrow.

Oh, and here’s a quick pic of my last squid catch (sorry, no ink stains this time):

Okay, I’m off to make squid tacos. Let me know in the comments if you try this method— I’d love to hear how it goes! And if you have any tips of your own, share them too—we’re all here to learn.