NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEEP WATER SQUID FISHING On 2017, Captain Marcos Hanke began to explore deep-water squid fishing. In this fact sheet, he shares with us valuable information on how to perform this fishing. For more information about this topic, please send an email to marcoshanke.cfmc@gmail.com.
Species Diamondback Squid (Thysanoteuthis rhombus) and Neon Flying Squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) – Both species are distributed along the Atlantic, have a live span of 1 year, and weight 15 - 45 pounds, although they can reach up to 60 pounds.
Fishing Gear Electric or manual reel with a line of 80-200 pounds and a line capacity of 1,500 feet. Also, you will need a waterproof light and two squid jigs. In the Caribbean, artisanal squid fishing is done with 3 – 5 individual buoys and/or from the vessel. For recreational fishing, it could be done from the vessel with one or two rods at a time.
Fishing Area Deep waters, around 3,000 feet or more, beyond the island shelf. Also they can be found while fishing for queen snapper (Etelis oculatus), wenchmen (Pristimoides macrotalphmus o P. aquilonaris), and swordfish (Xiphias gladius).
Approximate Depth of the Lures Lures should be in the water column, far from the seafloor, set at 1,000 - 1,500 feet deep.
Photo provided by: Marcos Hanke