Squid Jigging From Boats and Piers: A Boater’s Guide to Catching Your Own Calamari

Squid jigging is one of the more accessible — and entertaining — pursuits available to boaters and pier anglers along the Pacific coast, yet it remains an underappreciated fishery for many recreational boaters. With research suggesting global squid populations are actually booming due to reduced competition from commercially harvested fish and rising ocean temperatures, there’s never been a better time to give it a try. A new piece from Best4Boats offers both a humorous first-person account and practical pro-level guidance for getting started.

As Norris Comer writes for Best4Boats:

Did you know that there are more squid in the ocean than fish? Squid are widely described as “candy of the seas” and are viewed as such by pelagic fish, whales, and other sea creatures that eat them. Research indicates that squid populations are booming with speculation as to why pointing to human commercial fishing pressure on fish that naturally feed and compete with squid.

Comer recounts his own skunked outing at a public pier in Puget Sound before turning to Seattle-based charter captain Paul Kim of Fish PNW Guide Service for expert advice. Kim, who runs squid charters out of Shilshole Bay Marina, explains that boat-based anglers have a distinct advantage — using sonar and electronics to locate schools during daytime hours rather than relying on nighttime pier fishing alone.

“While jigging at night can be effective, utilizing our sonography, electronics, and knowing the locations where squid reside are more important,” says Kim.

For boaters in the Pacific Northwest, the market squid season typically runs from late October through mid-January. And for those venturing further afield, the article notes that squid jigging opportunities range from Humboldt squid in Mexico to jumbo squid off the South American coast — making it a worthy addition to any cruising angler’s repertoire.

Read the full here here: Search for Squid, Catch your own Calamari

Originally published on Jan 20, 2026.