In this column last week, I briefly mentioned the strong nighttime run of squid, only a scant few miles to the west of the Montauk Inlet.
The word is now out. Anglers have taken notice and several open boats out of Montauk are taking fares to the fishing grounds to take advantage of the excellent action when conditions allow.
Our recent holiday weekend northeaster obviously put squidding, and all fishing for that matter, on a temporary hold. But the squid should still be around in solid quantities as the seas settle down this week.
Those self-proclaimed Squid Heads who pursue the tasty, elongated cephalopods, have been standing tall at the rail with a rod and reel in hand in their ink-stained bibs. Smiles and full buckets abound.
For novices, pay proper heed. Play it smart and wear attire that is waterproof and can repel any icky squid ink. You’ve been duly warned.
Catching squid will never be a clean endeavor. Get ready to get dirty if you partake. Squid, when landed on a hook and line, most often expel a dark black ink when hauled above the rail before they enter the fishing pail. It shoots everywhere. It gets messy and pretty stinky rather quickly. But that’s part of the overall fun, in my view.
But you’ll definitely need a bath or shower after your trip, no matter how well you’re protected. Nobody wants to smell like squid when lying in bed.
The best squid action occurs at night, under intense, bright sodium lights that are directed toward the water. Forget the 100-watt bulb and flashlights; brighter is always better.
Squid are attracted to the surface when lured by such illumination from above. While some can be caught during the daytime, nighttime is the right time for those who sling small, spike-laden jigs.
Depending on expertise, some anglers have landed well over 100 squid on recent excursions. That’s a mighty impressive haul. On certain nights, bluefish, which love to eat squid, have periodically interfered with the action. But with the passing of the most recent storm, the bluefish have likely moved out for good.
Several open boats, like the Viking Starlite, Ebb Tide II, and the Montauk Star, are usually sailing every evening at 7. Check out their respective websites for more details and any last-minute adjustments to their schedules. The boats usually return to the dock at around 1 a.m.
“The squid are here and we’ve pounced on them,” said Capt. Anthony D’Arrigo of the Ebb Tide II. “It’s been, pretty much, nonstop action on most nights.”
D’Arrigo said that most of the squid being landed are in the medium-size range, with quite a few extending to the extra-large variety, which can measure over 20 inches. Yikes! That’s the stuff of nightmares.
I’m hoping to hop on board a nighttime excursion soon. Beyond being great bait for fluke, sea bass, porgies, and blowfish, they obviously make for tremendous table fare here, and around the world.
My personal favorite is charcoal-grilled squid that’s immediately marinated in olive oil, fresh lemon, garlic, and other spices. Whether served hot or cold, it makes for a perfect, low-calorie, high-protein meal.
Elsewhere, when the winds don’t blow, fishing is in fall mode, especially out near Montauk. Bluefish and striped bass remain scattered in the rips off the Lighthouse. As well, there remains a plethora of porgies, trigger fish, and sea bass, as they all begin their migration offshore.
Many anglers now will focus on blackfish. The season for the bulky bruisers opened up on Saturday in Long Island Sound. Joel Fisher of Sag Harbor took advantage of the benign conditions before the winds picked up a few hours later.
Fisher, who owns Fishers Home Furnishings on Main Street in Sag Harbor, reported great fishing, and retained his daily bag limit of three fish over 16 inches in less than an hour. Elsewhere in New York waters, the season opened yesterday. There, four fish can be kept.
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Fishing tips, observations, and photographs can be sent to [email protected].