Squid > Reviews > Squid cocktail

Author's product rating:   

Ease of Use
Value for Money

Advantages:	Cheap (From fishmongers) Useful ingredient in bait 'cocktails'
Disadvantages:	Expensive (From Fishmongers and supermarkets) no real use as a stand - alone bait .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Purchase:
Squid is a very under-rated bait for Sea-Angling here in Britain, although in continental
Europe it is used more widely. Squid is usually purchased in a box containing approx.
1 dozen from the tackle shop. I would advise that you are not tempted to buy it from
Fishmongers or supermarkets; firstly it works out very expensive, secondly the squid
may have been 'treated' with additives or preservatives, which will deter fish.

Use:
Depending on what type of fish you are going for, you can either use the head and guts
of the squid, or use slivers (Like Mackerel slivers). Cut a circular sliver (Try saying
that after a few 'medicinal' whiskey's)of squid about 1 cm across, loop this onto a size
2 or 4 hook, add half a ragworm (See my article on this subject) to increase the visual
stimulus an the scent. If you are using the head and guts then us a size 1 or 1/0 hook,
and don't bother with the worm. Do not use the head and guts tactic for float-fishing,
about the only thing you'll get will be a cuttlefish (And have you ever tried hooking
one of those little beggars?). I prefer the floating approach, especially as most of my
fishing is done off a pier.

To catch?:
Squid are the prey of many fish, and most will pick up a piece floating gently in the
water. Pollock find squid quite a delicacy, and 3-4lb fish are not rare on the
Squid-worm cocktail. I have found that Mackerel tend to shy away from Squid, trying
to add a sliver of Mackerel didn't improve matters. Bass are also keen to chew up a
piece of prime invertebrate, so look out for a few bars of silver on the end of your line
come June and July.