- Squid
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In the winter, when the fishing slows down in the lakes I'll hit the Puget Sound for a change in scenery. Shilshole Marina in Ballard is right in my backyard but the Puget Sound has numerous locations with easy launches and little boat ramp traffic this time of year. Even know salmon fishing is closed, there's always something out there to catch. I'll drag along a handful of squid jigs, white candlefish jigs and even a drop-shot set up for surf perch.
- Sand Dab on a squid jig
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Whether you're in your boat or in a kayak, pay close attention to your fish finder for bait and squid. Herring will be more solid and compact while squid will look more pixelated on your screen. Depending on the current, depth and
and wind speed, will determine how much weight you'll need to add to your set up. I like using a 2 to 3 oz white Candlefish bar jig with a pinched single barb or a 2 to 3 oz cannonball weight with one or two squid jigs tied inline above the weight. Drop it right down to the bottom working a rhythmic slow jig up and down. Squid will attack your jig if they are down there. You'll also pick up a variety of other bottom fish including sand dabs, rockfish and even black mouth salmon. Rockfish and black mouth are not fish you can retain or legally target, so I'll move on so not to disturb them if the squid are not there.- Starry Surprise
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Squid can be found throughout the day in various depths from 25 to 80 feet of water - and even deeper. When you find them you can typically catch quite a few. Just stay on top of that school. I have a pedal powered Hobie Fishing Kayak that I can hold position pretty well working against the current on a calm day.
- Starry Flounder
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If I'm not having any luck, I'll switch over to lighter gear and look for surf perch near the jetties. These fish can be around jetties and piers chopping on little worms, mussels, etc. A light weight bass rod and a drop-shot set up and small hook tipped with a clam neck, piece of squid or even a Gulp sand worm will produce fish. These fish are beautiful and put up a great fight. I'm told they are delicious to eat, but I have no problem releasing them. Did you know surf perch don't lay eggs, they birth their young.
- Purple Striped Surf Perch
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Pick up a copy of Northwest Sportsman Magazine in February. My buddy, Todd Switzer, will cover a few tips and tactics on targeting squid from a kayak. Tight lines!
Oh, and don't miss my recipe for Asian Style Chili Squid viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2733