Back in the eighties my father and I used to jig for squid at night and in the early mornings from a boat under the crane lights at Todd's shipyard. We used to really well - those were some good times.

Is it worhwhile to squid from a boat or do you catch just as many from the local docks? Does getting away from all the other fishermen make much of a difference with squid or does all your combined light attract more squid? If I were to go out in a boat I am assuming that you cannot get that close to Todd's anymore due to security reasons and that I would rig up my own lights.

I have been out a couple times this year with mixed results. I'd like to be more successful - any suggestions would be appreciiated.

Thanks guys,
Steve

thats an interesting idea, i never thought about taking the boat out for squid.
would you free drift? or anchor?

Its been awhile but anchoring by the point defiance herring tank use to be really good. the smell of all them herring really brought them in thick (big ones). Squiding from a boat is way better, there are just too many people at the docks nowadays

You will attract them with a couple of lanterns.
Better yet, a small generator with a couple of metal halides.

COOL I could bring my lights down from the attic

Get some really powerful lights and also there is this medicinal tape(I will have to look-up the name later) that has a wintergreen sent that can be purchased at asian markets and drugstores(Walgreens and Bartells). I am not quite sure how the stuff works but it really has increased my catch. Is it legal to chum the little cephalopods and does it work?

I think the green medical tape you're talking about is called Salonpas. I had heard that it was effective and bought some in an asian market. I've tried it once but I didn't seem to have any better luck than family members who weren't using it.

By the way, the ingredients are methyl salicylate (wintergreen oil), menthol, camphor, and tocopherol acetate. It sure smells like mentholatum. Has anyone ever tried using mentholatum, vick's vapor rub, or tiger balm (using it like smelly jelly) instead of the tape?

I use that white tape that athletes wrap their ankles with and put a little vick's vaporub or Bengay on it. they seem to like that scent a lot.
paul