🦑 Squid at great depth
Fishing for cephalopods, namely squid, is popular with a large number of sea fishermen around the world. Practiced mostly from a boat, it is also possible to capture it from the coast. The species that we find in our waters is the common squid (Loligo vulgaris), occupying the east of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and can grow up to about 40 cm, being generally found between 15 and 25 cm.
But what I bring you today is my experience of fishing large squids at great depths between 200 and 300 m.
Fishing at these depths requires having adequate equipment, such as an electric reel and compatible rod, low-slung mounts and braces that can withstand the effort to which they will be subjected.
My experience of fishing large squid is made comes from the Azores, in the waters that surround Santa Maria Island. The best time to fish for squid is between October and March.
About this fishing technique, we will later talk in detail about the different equipment that are so important.
Equipment and assemblies:
– The electric reels I use the most are the Daiwa Tanacom 1000 E and Daiwa Seabourg 1200 MJ. These are very reliable and powerful reels, with performances that allow us to face fishing journeys with great serenity and confidence.
– As for the rod, another very important element of the equipment, it must be able to withstand heavy weights, such as sinkers of 800 or 900 grams “without being amazed”, while still having an adequate action, for squid fishing at depth. The Cana Tanacom 180 G, due to its performance and versatility, is one of my favorites.
– Mono or multifilament lines are how we know what connects us to the captures we intend to make. In the case of the reel line, I prefer 8-thread, 0.35 mm multifilaments, due to their physical behavior, namely their resistance and low elongation coefficient, which translates into the transmission to the rod of all the touches that occur 300 meters below.
– In the case of the lowland, where the links are connected, I usually make it in 0.90 fluorocarbon, with a length of 4.5 meters.
– The links are also in 0.60 or 0.70 mm fluorocarbon with a length of 1 meter, distributed over the slope.
– The faucets placed with a swivel at the end of the links have to withstand the pressure of the water column, in order to fulfill their task.
– There is also a hook, a little longer than the previous ones, about 1 meter long, which is connected to the sinker’s swivel and which has a Circle hook baited with fish or squid.
– The sinkers I use are between 800 or 900 g, depending on the current that is felt. The intention is always to fish as vertically as possible.
In fishing action:
Although the equipment used and the assembly with the studs and hook are important for successful captures, the agitation made with ascents and descents of 10 to 20 meters of the mount, attracts predators that will react, attacking our lures (pipes or clowns, however we call them), as well as some fish (boca negra, cantaro, goraz) will appreciate the baits we put in our Circle hook.
By: Paulo Chaves