SLASHED BAITS (SQUID)

[rambo27]

I recently started using larger squid, Rigging them with two hooks 180 degrees apart. The last two times out the majority of our spread gets slashed. No hook ups, Do you think going to small squid will solve this problem. Most of the swordfish that we cleaned had very small squid in them. Any advise for squid size for south florida swordfish. :?:

[Verado06]

it depends, but if you look at the recent pics of squid that come out of the belly of swordfish, you will rarely see the larger squids.. but you will tons of medium to small squid. Might as well give them what they are eating...

I rarely fish the xl squid, but if I do, i always sew heads on and position the hook closer to the mantle.

[RiskTaker]

Bring 'em your big squid, bring 'em your small squid, bring 'em your medium squid, bring 'em your tinkers and bring 'em your blue runners, rainbows too for that special flare. The south swordfish will eat them all.

Your hook-up ratios will probably be better with your dead squid offerings; however, your total number of encounters will be increased with a mixed offering of live baits. So don't fret to use those livies if you have them.

As far as squid size go, they eat them all. I filleted up a swordfish Friday morning, along with the help of Cogzwell, a nice fat 56" fish. In its belly were at least 10 nice size squids plus a large tinker, and a large sardine, all pre-digested slightly. Most of the squids were larger than the medium sized squid we were presenting for baits.

This influenced my thinking that perhaps I need to continue offering some bigger sized squids in the presentation mix. And there is nothing wrong with using small squids either, perhaps you could even slap two on a hook. But I would always like to be sure that you have at least a medium sized one in the water at all times.

Single hook rigs work fine. But as usual, we naturally think of using double hook rigs for the larger baits. Enjoy the style that you feel comfortable with. (You may even consider using cable for those tandem hooks, just the lower one.)

[Uncle Buck]

BIG fish have no problem inhaling a large squid. It's the small fish that seem to wanna cut up their meal into bite-sized pieces. Anybody have some 4ft Humboldt squid? I'll use 'em. :lol:

[freezorburn]

I'm with Uncle buck and Risktaker on this one.

I've got sword on 80lb Floro carbon and butter fish in 50' of water with no light. (New Jersey)

Big squid, Small Squid Live bait All are good and will increase your odds. But the day and conditions and the type of bite have to be known for the day.

Put out a menu of bait and see what there hungry for.

[DIRTYFOOT2]

Seems like there a lot of squid tearing up baits as well here lately,
not much you can do about that. I like the big squids! I like small
squids! Fresh is the challenge. Fresher the better.
Good Luck,
DF2

[captadamr]

i went out last nite and reeled in 2 headless squids. I sewed them up well, with the hook about halfway up the body. Would a sword come up, rip the head off and then loose intrest without touching the rest of the body?

thanks

adam

[quack quack]

yuper :shock:

[Sword Donkey]

White tips like squid heads. ](*,)

Just kidding. I do one or more trips and keep trying, your bound to get one. If you get skunked, plan a trip this way. Seems the straits of Florida are one of the best places in the world for swords. Hope you have better luck next time.

[captadamr]

Im going to tru 2 smaller squids, with the 2 large squids, and place the hooks in the heads of all of them. I doubt the sharks took them, as there are no teeth marks, just missing heads. If it was a shark, figured the greedy buggers would eat the whole bait and cut the leader. Im gonna keep on trying til i run out of squids or patience. I have a flat with 25 left, so ive got a few more trips.

My last resort is to fly to miami and trade all my gear for a trip out... anyone intrested

[Flatsfish B]

Originally Posted by captadamr

Im going to tru 2 smaller squids, with the 2 large squids, and place the hooks in the heads of all of them. I doubt the sharks took them, as there are no teeth marks, just missing heads. If it was a shark, figured the greedy buggers would eat the whole bait and cut the leader. Im gonna keep on trying til i run out of squids or patience. I have a flat with 25 left, so ive got a few more trips.

My last resort is to fly to miami and trade all my gear for a trip out... anyone intrested

alot of people always want to move the hook lower. i thougt about it...

swords dont have teeth, if they are going to whack a bait putting the hook there is going to cause foul hookups and more lost fish. I think u are better off moving the hook higher. I think what happens is the fish slashes the squid and hits a hard hook and it is not natural so the leave. I have had many fish whack a bait 3 4 5 or more times and still eat. The hook was high. On the flip side if they just swallow i dont think it matters where the hook is if its sharp and open! good luck