Retriever, I'm no expert, but I was fortunate enough to tag along with a friend and his brother--both of whom have done quite a bit of squidding--on Friday night for my first squidding trip, and we managed to hook a few. Here's what I can tell you, based on my very limited experience...

Timing: December and January are the prime months, as this is when the squid come into the bay to spawn.

Technique: Squidding is primarily a night-time endeavor, and you need to shine a bright light into the water (I'm sure you saw these on Friday night), because the light attracts smelt, which in turn attract squid. If you don't have your own light, just go somewhere where other people have 'em. Popular squidding spots are the various piers in downtown Seattle, Ballard and Des Moines. Make sure you've got your shellfish catch card. Use a sensitive, somewhat limber rod with about 10 lb. test (you go that heavy in case you snag bottom), and tie on a squid jig, which you can purchase at Outdoor Emporium. Cast out about twenty feet, keep a tight line, and "jig" your jig back to the pier, directly underneath you, and then jig it up and down for a while until (hopefully) you feel a slight weight on your line or you suddenly feel nothing (meaning a squid grabbed the jig as it was freefalling) and reel in quickly. Take the squid off the hook (best done by simply turning the jig upside down, whereupon the squid slides off and into your bucket). Try to avoid the ink--best done by not touching the squid.

At the end of the night, take your squid home, clean 'em, and fry 'em up. Delicious!

That's what I learned on my first and only squidding adventure last Friday night...

Good luck.