Rigging Squid - How To

[ReelIntubaiter]

Originally Posted by Mike

Great post and pictures Reel. I'm going to feature this in the rigging section of the site if you don't mind...

Mike

Mike: Feel free to add it to the rigging section. There were a few typos which I corrected.

R.T.: Your tag end system seems somewhat simpler as you would avoid using the brass rod. It would seem to me that with your system the hook's exit point would be closer to the apex of the squid. I like the hook closer to the head. Maybe you can also take some photos next time you rig a squid. Good rig.
Thanks, Al.

[RiskTaker]

Yeah Al:

I keep thinking that perhaps I should like to get the hook further down the mantle, closer to the head. (But since noticing an apparent good fish hooked-on affect, I haven't advanced any further.) But then I think that there is not much squid to bunch up on the hook, if that were to happen. But I will certainly like to do it the way you demonstrate when I need it. (Like when, the medium squids are running on the large side).

Sometimes my squids appear to be underrigged on the larger squids, with the hook riding up so high on the mantle, and so much squid below it. Of course, an additional crimp one inch or so above the hook crimp would change the line wedge location, but that is a permanent adjustment, whereas the method you show is adjustable for every rig.

P.S. - I don't have one of those hollow brass rods so I never got to experiment with rigging that way. Which tackle shop(s) carry them?

New things learned and to experiment with .... Speaking of experimentation, I just wonder how Jerry from Jamaica made out last night (Windy). I think he is making quite a sensation in that Kingston town. You would think that they never caught a swordfish there before? #-o Oh, the recreationals have not, at least according to a few locals..

[ReelIntubaiter]

Hey R.T.:
You can't find the brass rod in tackle shops. I bought it at a hobby shop. It comes in a 36" piece. I cut it using a brass cutter that I bought at Home Depot (Usually for larger diameter brass tubing used in plumbing) but you can probably use something else. I sharpened the end using a file. So far, this rig has been very successfull, but I still have much to learn and would like to see other rigging methods. So far the tag end method is the simplest method I've come across so far.
Al

[SM]

The following is a picture of how I rig squid for night trolling:
http://myfishingpics.com/photopost48..._lurew-med.jpg
It's a locally caught 24" Humboldt squid. The mantle is trimmed (see trim piece in upper right of photo) and sewn so that it will stuff up into a 17" shell squid and a red chem light goes up in there with it. I pull the beak off and a 12/0 7691 plus leader is run up and the hook is sewn in place and the head is sewn to the mantle. Up in the tip of the mantle I smash a 1 oz egg sinker onto the 400 lb momoi Marlin hard leader as a stopper and sew it into place. The shell squid prevents the squid from blowing out while being trolled and theoretically will keep it all together if and whenever it gets bill whacked. I liken the shell squids to squid condoms. They will troll a full 12 hour night like this, whereas a naked rigged squid may last an hour or two. Rig ahead of time and freeze in 1 gallon ziplocks (chem lites can be frozen) for grab and go rigs. You never want to be rigging at night while trolling.

[LETSRIDE]

since you arent crimping the top crimp how do you keep it form being pushed up the line from the pressure when you drop it down.. seems to me the bait going down through the water cloumn would pressure it up the leader making the tag end loose. please fill me in i also use a rig showed to me from bobby boyle as mine took to long but i like this method alot better than the one i use now as it allows the hook closer to the head which i find the swords love. thanks and sorry if i missed it if you wrote it.

[ReelIntubaiter]

Hi Letsride,
There are two ways to keep the crimp from sliding up.
The first and simplest is as described by R.T.. You lightly squeeze the crimp so that the tag end fits snuggly in the crimp but not too tight that it wont pass through with some moderate force.
The second is to first tie an overhand knot on the tip of the apex with some wax thread. One loose end of the thread is passed over the crimp between the line and the loose end and tied tight with the other loose end. This will prevent the crimp from moving up the leader. Hope this helps. If you have trouble picturing this, I can take some photos.
Good luck,Al.

[RiskTaker]

Letsride:

The only time I have noticed a crimp sliding off the "loose tag end method" is while handling the squids inside the boat. Since I always pay out the line by hand up to the weight to ensure, firm snapped swivel, no-nicks and no kinks anywhere, proper electrolume and weight connection, before letting the rest of the line out "slowly" from the rod. Slowly, ensures that the line does not get wrapped around itself on the descent.

During all of this activity and the drifting, the pressure on the loose crimp, if anything, is to stay in place and not ride up on the leader, away from the squid. Not really sure what happens when it starts getting whacked by the fish though but somehow the point seems to make its connection.

The beauty of not crimping tightly on the tag end is to be able to re-use that leader a few times if it does not get mangled in any way. If in doubt for that, simply crimp it.

End of the night clean-up is rather quick too. I will always use fresh squids for swordfishing. So, when all the lines are brought in and the baited leaders thrown in a bucket, I just slip off the crimp, grab the bend of the hook with one finger and slide the squid down past to the other end of the leader onto the bait board. Those squids can be re-frozen and used for cut bait another time or simply tossed over depending on your state of mind.

It would be nice to hear some input from those that like to stitch their hook in-place on the squid. Maybe there is something there to learn about this preference. Because at this point in time, I am only an Apprentice Baiter but in time, I would like to be a Master at it. LOL :lol:

[LHPfish]

I just rig mine exactly like a ballyhoo, use copper wire and wrap lightly around the leader and you're good to go in under a minute.

[kyle]

I'm new to swordfishing, but is there a way to thread the hook in the top of the mantle (as seen in Reelintubaiters 2nd picture.) But instead of going 3/4's of the way down the squid, stop when the eye of the hook is maybe 1/4 to 1/2 an inch inside the mantle. Then sow above and below the hook to keep from going up or down. Is this a good idea or would it be knocked off too easily?
Don't know if this is a dumb idea or if I am a pretty smart kid, please write any remarks.

[Relentless33]

You have a new PM

[mgysgt]

I'm new at all this and have never been out YET -- been reading all your methods for rigging squid and fish and have come up with my method. Any input/suggestions would be appreciated. I'm using 300# leader--- I first slide a small live bait hook up the leader with a small piece of surgical tubing over the shank of the hook --then I put the leader down through the surgical tubing and the hook---this allows me to adjust where I want the hook located and stop slipping---- then I slide on a crimp and form a loop in the tag end of the leader large enough to go through the eye of my sword hook and over the end of the hook and crimp the loop. I made a pull through rod out of welding rod. To rig the squid I take my welding rod run it up the mantel and out the top --take the sword hook off the rig and hook the leader to my welding rod and pull it through the squid --put the hook back on the rig and insert it any where I want in the squid--then I adjust the live bait hook to go through the top of the mantel (NO SLIDING) ALL DONE --- This same method can be done with fish --through the vent and out the mouth or gill and held with the live bait hook through the eyes or nose or mouth.[img][/img][/url]

[JahMussa]

That looks like it will work for sure but there are easier/faster ways to do it.

The best way to find out if it works is to go fish the rigs. I would suggest using a welded eyed hook as you wouldn't want any chaffing to wear your line down in this senario.

Let us know how you like it after fishing it for a few nights.

Welcome to the Darkside!
-Tek

[Lucky27]

Could you show a picture of the finished product.

[broadminded]

I'm looking for a nice way to put a second hook in my suqid rigs. I saw a guy put a pic of a nice one on this thread but cant figure out how to. Did he just run the leader throught the mantle as one would do for a normal 1 hook rig and then run another peice of leader through the mantle with a hook, and put another crimp on the mainline? ... Any help would be appreciated. thanks

[ReelIntubaiter]

Originally Posted by broadminded

I'm looking for a nice way to put a second hook in my suqid rigs. I saw a guy put a pic of a nice one on this thread but cant figure out how to. Did he just run the leader throught the mantle as one would do for a normal 1 hook rig and then run another peice of leader through the mantle with a hook, and put another crimp on the mainline? ... Any help would be appreciated. thanks

Hi BM, That was my pic you saw which is over two years old. I only used that rig on three trips. I stopped using double hook rigs for two reasons:
1. It took FOREVER to do this double hook rig.
2. Since we release most of the fish we catch a single hook rig will do much less damage.
I now do a modification of the "tag end method". I suggest you use a single hook. Also, don't use stainless steel hooks since it won't dissolve in a released fish. Good luck!

[Thumper235]

I used small leads in the past to hold the mantle in place. now I use football shaped beads whith a sleeve crimped to hold it in place. I don't crimp the sleeve too tight so I can still adjust it according to the size of the squid. I also now remove the beak and thread the leadder throught the mouth and out the mantle. the eye of the hook rests up in the head while the rest of the hook is exposed I dont' sew the mantle to the line or the head and have had good results.

[g's 3rd gen]

Originally Posted by mgysgt

I'm new at all this and have never been out YET -- been reading all your methods for rigging squid and fish and have come up with my method. Any input/suggestions would be appreciated. I'm using 300# leader--- I first slide a small live bait hook up the leader with a small piece of surgical tubing over the shank of the hook --then I put the leader down through the surgical tubing and the hook---this allows me to adjust where I want the hook located and stop slipping---- then I slide on a crimp and form a loop in the tag end of the leader large enough to go through the eye of my sword hook and over the end of the hook and crimp the loop. I made a pull through rod out of welding rod. To rig the squid I take my welding rod run it up the mantel and out the top --take the sword hook off the rig and hook the leader to my welding rod and pull it through the squid --put the hook back on the rig and insert it any where I want in the squid--then I adjust the live bait hook to go through the top of the mantel (NO SLIDING) ALL DONE --- This same method can be done with fish --through the vent and out the mouth or gill and held with the live bait hook through the eyes or nose or mouth.[img][/img][/url]

This is close to how we do our rigs. The key is to try and buy the same size squid. Instead of using a small hook to hold the squid. I use a small cork above the crimp. When the leader line is run through the squid and the cork adjusted properly in the mantle for hook placement. I then use a tiny tie wrap below the cork to prevent slippage. If the rigs are premade it only tales a minute to do a squid. I like the double line for extra chaffe protection and hook stiffness for solid penetration. G

[roccsky63]

I use the same method as above except i thread the tube through the mantle instead of under it. I get the squid back sometimes buched up too. I also use a green bead at the tail intead of the bobber. Same effect i guess.

[nestor]

What's the issue with a second hook? I use them all the time depending on the size of the squid.

[nestor]

Anyone use those little chem lights inside the squid? better/not?

[miamiangler1]

Originally Posted by nestor

Anyone use those little chem lights inside the squid? better/not?

Iv`e tried them , with no results yet .. going to try a new method and new small chem lights I`ve found for the tourny ..let you know how it works

[broadminded]

Hey Miami,
I think i got a similar idea as you with the lights. Im keeping it kinda underground till I get to test it enough times and perfect it just so i dont steer anyone to a rig that dosent produce. Lord knows ive had alot of "good ideas" that were a flop. I would like to compare my ideas with yours maybey we help eachother out? PM me if your intrested
BM

[TLD-Danny]

somebody told me if you put the float in the mantle it will spin on the way down any truth to this?

[quack quack]

Dont use a float!

[TLD-Danny]

thank you QQ

[LedgeCrawler]

Originally Posted by Mike

I will get the bonita rig up that... the best advice to give you and some of the guys might not agree but I remove the backbone, snip the fins, and sew the mouth shut. When I remove the backbone I stich my hook in when I sew it back up. The sword most likely will eat it head first so it ensure a good hookset. A guy that won a tournament last year had a small wahoo rigged like this... Works good.

Mike, I think I can picture what you are describing. My only question is....does this rig the bonita so it "drags" backwards in the current?

[jctriggerman]

Originally Posted by Captain Joe McGivern

i like live bait. Does that make me a live bait googan? :?:

never heard anyone say the GOOGAN than a friend of mine from sarasota fl wow good to hear its out there

[novomarine]

is there an easier way to rig a squid???? I use a wind on leaders..
thanks in advance...

[Disco Lady]

Yeah! buy em' from me.......

I use a pin rig Capt.

[novomarine]

Originally Posted by Disco Lady

Yeah! buy em' from me.......

I use a pin rig Capt.

thanks....