Sierra_Smitty
01-31-2010, 09:39 AM
UPDATED REPORT w/ PICS
If anyone hasn't gone out for squid before - GO!!!!! It was super fun and lets face it, there isn't much else going on in the ocean right now.
Didn't plan on doing this trip but on a lark we made a little family fishing excursion in the saltwater - myself, my bro Evan, littls sis Lindsey and my Dad all hopped on the Patriot out of the Newport Landing last night. Boat left a 6pm. After a short ride to the edge of the canon the skipper put us on squid. It was WFO within an hour with just about every rod doubled over and giant squid in the 20-40lb class coming over the rail constantly. Their official count was 175 squid for 31 anglers....it was silly good.
My first squid was well over 30lbs and pulled a lot harder than I'd expected....felt kinda like a bat ray but it was still a total blast to pull on. Guys with the lighter gear were getting absolutely owned at times....I brought my 30lb setup and had no problems, just fun.
It's been almost a year since I was out on the big pond...dang it felt good. Wish I had more time to spend down here so could chase all the good stuff.
It took a few hours for the crew to clean all the calamari but we were off the boat around 11:30pm....if you end up going, plan on taking a nap or bringing something to entertain yourself with while you wait.
BTW - take your sister, mom, wife, g-friend or kids with you if you go - this is the type of wide-open fishing that will get 'em hooked on fishing forever! I didn't see any kids on the boat last night but the ladies were kickin arse and takin' names.
We kept two each and one for my uncle.....$3 a squid to clean them (gutting only, membrane removal is all you). I tested some out this morning - nasty ammonia action going on. Soaking more in milk to see if that helps but I dunno. Been about 7 years since I had my last batch - no funky taste in that batch, albeit a little smaller grade of cephalopod back then. We'll see. Will be catfish bait if the funk doesn't come out with milk.
6" jigs were the deal...although the next size down would have probably done fine. We drifted for these jumbos....found 'em deep at first but towards the end they were way up, even saw a few breezing through at one point....pretty cool to watch. Stupid sealions caused some problems for a bit....wish Mr. Mako have been around to help out with that.
Anyhow - it was messy rod-bending hilarity and we had a great time.
Peace,
-Smitty
-----PS - Its definitely worth mentioning that the capt. and crew were EXCEPTIONAL on Saturday night. The skipper communicated with the passengers and the deck hands were friendly, personable and efficient. Even with all of those bent rods the second you had color they were there with the gaff...very good job. Tip 'em well guys & gals! --------
The three siblings
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/WeAreAwesome.jpg
Hooked up
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/JaredHookedUp.jpg
My Dear Ol' Dad with a jumbo
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/DadGiantSquid.jpg
Me with a Jumbo
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/JrodGiantSquid.jpg
Lil' sis with a fresh one...
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/LindsHookedUp.jpg
Squid Party
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/SiblingsThree.jpg
Hells ya
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/ThumbsUp.jpg
If anyone hasn't gone out for squid before - GO!!!!! It was super fun and lets face it, there isn't much else going on in the ocean right now.
Didn't plan on doing this trip but on a lark we made a little family fishing excursion in the saltwater - myself, my bro Evan, littls sis Lindsey and my Dad all hopped on the Patriot out of the Newport Landing last night. Boat left a 6pm. After a short ride to the edge of the canon the skipper put us on squid. It was WFO within an hour with just about every rod doubled over and giant squid in the 20-40lb class coming over the rail constantly. Their official count was 175 squid for 31 anglers....it was silly good.
My first squid was well over 30lbs and pulled a lot harder than I'd expected....felt kinda like a bat ray but it was still a total blast to pull on. Guys with the lighter gear were getting absolutely owned at times....I brought my 30lb setup and had no problems, just fun.
It's been almost a year since I was out on the big pond...dang it felt good. Wish I had more time to spend down here so could chase all the good stuff.
It took a few hours for the crew to clean all the calamari but we were off the boat around 11:30pm....if you end up going, plan on taking a nap or bringing something to entertain yourself with while you wait.
BTW - take your sister, mom, wife, g-friend or kids with you if you go - this is the type of wide-open fishing that will get 'em hooked on fishing forever! I didn't see any kids on the boat last night but the ladies were kickin arse and takin' names.
We kept two each and one for my uncle.....$3 a squid to clean them (gutting only, membrane removal is all you). I tested some out this morning - nasty ammonia action going on. Soaking more in milk to see if that helps but I dunno. Been about 7 years since I had my last batch - no funky taste in that batch, albeit a little smaller grade of cephalopod back then. We'll see. Will be catfish bait if the funk doesn't come out with milk.
6" jigs were the deal...although the next size down would have probably done fine. We drifted for these jumbos....found 'em deep at first but towards the end they were way up, even saw a few breezing through at one point....pretty cool to watch. Stupid sealions caused some problems for a bit....wish Mr. Mako have been around to help out with that.
Anyhow - it was messy rod-bending hilarity and we had a great time.
Peace,
-Smitty
-----PS - Its definitely worth mentioning that the capt. and crew were EXCEPTIONAL on Saturday night. The skipper communicated with the passengers and the deck hands were friendly, personable and efficient. Even with all of those bent rods the second you had color they were there with the gaff...very good job. Tip 'em well guys & gals! --------
The three siblings
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/WeAreAwesome.jpg
Hooked up
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/JaredHookedUp.jpg
My Dear Ol' Dad with a jumbo
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/DadGiantSquid.jpg
Me with a Jumbo
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/JrodGiantSquid.jpg
Lil' sis with a fresh one...
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/LindsHookedUp.jpg
Squid Party
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/SiblingsThree.jpg
Hells ya
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/sierrasmitty/ThumbsUp.jpg