Squid anatomy and behavior

[team_A_II]

hey guys i'm just looking for any info you have on squid, especially how they behave as far as lighting up under water.... i've seen them change to red in the live well but do they flash any colors or produce any kind of light flashes? also does anybody know what species are found in the northern gulf, i'm assuming it should be similar to those down off south florida.

has anybody tried lighting up the squid from the inside? i know some of the tuna fishermen in the northeastern canyons put small light sticks inside their squid when tuna fishing at night, figured it might be worth trying on some sword baits, any input?

[Beerman]

Done it, it works.......Squids change colors for sure

[Barely Legal]

i think its whatever u feel comfortable with, put it where u want. i wouldnt worry about it too much but play around with it and see what happens

[Bonnie&Clyde]

If they are around and happen to find your bait they will eat with or without a glowie inside...

[snooknreds2]

as far as their lighting behaviors i have seen some really cool examples on the discovery channel. Hard to say when a show like that will be on again but if you can watch one it is well worth it, you learn allot about their behavior

[Capt. JJ]

Squid light up for a couple of reasons. They use light flashes to communicate with each other, for mating and possibly cooperative hunting. They also use small bioluminescent pores on their tentacles to attract small fishes and crustaceans. The food they eat is also bioluminescent and often flashes when threatened (like when your boat rocks and splashes and the water lights up). This is meant to discourage the preadator (squid) from eating it by attracting preadators of squid (swordfish) to the flashes of light. Bioluminesence can also be used to camoflauge a silhouette against the "sky" on a moonlit night. The locations of the pores on the body prevent the light from transmitting through the body, so that while the animal (squid or fish) is camoflauged from below, they appear dark from above, as no light shines through. Definately put a light in front of the squid. As for a stick on the inside, it's your call. Swords have that big ol' eyeball to hunt in total darkness, so I don't think its necessary. A little light will do. I like an LP and a strobe. Just my Two cents.

[Bonnie&Clyde]

Perfectly said Capt JJ