Mate everyone will give you a different opinion and some days are different than others, but for me, I have caught more squid on the cheapo $3 jigs compared to the $25 ones, plus it doesn't hurt as much when you lose one. I also believe that the working or twitching of a jig is necessary, although my mate defied that theory a few weeks ago when he got one with the rod in the holder. Like I said before, every day is different, so try a few different things out and find what works for you on the day. Good luck :)

I've never owned a fancy jig and have definately caught them on 'middle range' gear, but in saying that ive never landed 10+ squid in one session like some people. Some action is required, hence the name 'squid-jig'. checkout youtube, there is stuff on there that will help you for sure, australian videos too.

Yeah I would be interested in some of the experts response to this question myself. Interstate, I have found I can easily outfish others with the deadly "deep and dead in the water" technique.    But ive never targeted squid here in WA. I found the jigging movements actually scares the squid away. The jetty experts will probably be the most qualified as they are often fishing with numbers of others in a competitve situation, Whats your favoured technique ?????

one of my mates uses middle range jigs on handlines has two out at a time and bags out within an hour or two. If your going for squid have one on the drift for sure but if your anchored it isnt going to work aswell.

But yes "twitching" will produce more catches, as it imatates the normal movement of a prawn.

I was out there just over a week ago, there are heaps there and most of them are small-medium in size, small being just a bit bigger than the jig itself lol. My retrieve is pretty simple, let it sink pretty close to the bottom then a rod length lift then a faster jerk, then SLOWLY reel in the slack still giving it a chance to sink back to the zone. Flangies and I had 15 pretty quickly then I drifted over the same area casting tentacles into the sand holes hoping for a feed of kgw too but didnt even get a bite, usually I get quite a few out there.

Have done alrite on the cheapies too. And caught plenty on jigs just tied on to the side of the boat. They can be pretty easily spooked some days but

Thanks guys, spent 30 minutes on you tube so I'm now an expert. Look forward to giving it a try, but have to ask, anyone tried the raw squid with a squeeze of lemon? I'm pretty tempted to have a crack at that, will raid the lemon & lime trees before I head out. If it's crap, oh well, there's always the Corona....

Cheers,

BD.

 I had the fortunate opportunity of having the yamashita team for a session on my tub recently & this is what I learnt

Whilst I thought I was a 'violent' squid jigger they were more so & out fished me

Colour is massive, get the light to colour right & you kill the pig

Learn 'walk the dog' Good technique lands you the bigger squid every time

and personally get good jigs, they always out fish the cheaper ones unless you phucked the colour

     It is like any other type of fishing when they are on any idiot can catch them but quite simply you can improve your catch with small percentage increases based on gear and technique. More expensive jigs have sharper prongs with even the slightest enquiry becoming a hookup. Cheap jigs are often heavy creating a near correct angle and depth for drifting in a boat. But you can get the correct angle (45 degrees) by selecting the correct size jig or deep version. Additional weights can be added such as those nose weights from Yamaria or clip on weighs from Daiwa. Success whilst drifting in a boat relies mostly on you being in the strikezone. Action from a boat is less important as you cover way more productive ground than those chasing squid land based. If you have a higher quality jig you will notice it will have a longer narrow tapered nose, this is to make it dart from side to size in a short distance forward when whipping the rod to the opposite shoulder of the hand holding the rod. This is to create more attraction and in a way cover more ground. 

    The deeper squid are the less shy they are. Flats fishing for squid in 12inches is like dry fly fishing in a crystal clear trout stream.

     More expensive jigs usually have a greater variety of jig colours to choose from. Forget the pattern on the cloth and focus on the tape. Red tape for most conditions including nightime. Bright sun clear skies and clear water gold tape and a transparent body with keimura or uv cloth such as the Shimano Sephia keimura white (14t) for overcast/dawn/dusk.

    Boat squid are easy. If you ever want to consistantly get a bag of squid land based then you look at fluorocarbon leaders to 6lb, abalone shell bite markers, round snaps, after market prongs, multi taper rods in various lengths and sizes, approximately 8 different size jigs not including deep versions in at least three colours but  closer to ten and several other things that are clearly lost in translation from Japanese to english. It is like anything in angling, how far you want to take it usually depends on your budget, time and the challenges you want to place on yourself.

Tips for boat squid:

                            1) Get  size 3 deep jigs (minimum) or add egi weight (not sinker) to compensate for current and drift and if possible slow your drift .

                            2) Look for broken ground and drop offs. Cast from weed patches drawing the jig out across sand.

                            3) Gold foil with a bright orange or pink cloth for bright clear sky and clear water.

                            4) Red foil with dark olive or similar for most conditions inc night (this my go to in most brands)

                            5) White keimura(uv) for overcast and low light.

                            6) Keep your jigs clean and weed free.

                            7) Keep the prongs straight and sharp.

                            8) Fluorocarbon leader

                            9) Look for calmer water

                            10)Put sunscreen on your mates jig.

   Hope that helps. Cam

# 10 is Gold!

Great reply, thanks Lamby & Cam.