Market Squid

Oceans & Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Baja California north to Alaska. Most abundant from Central California to Southern California. Forms massive spawning aggregations nearshore on shallow sandy bottom — particularly around Monterey Bay and the Channel Islands. The most commercially important squid in the California Current system.

Preferred Water Temperature: 52°F–62°F. A schooling, migratory species that ascends to the surface at night to feed and retreats to deeper water during the day. Major spawning aggregations occur in nearshore areas on sandy bottom — observable from shore.

Size & Weight: Typically 6–12 inches mantle length. The dominant baitfish of the California Current — the primary prey of Rockfish, Lingcod, Salmon, and many other species. Outstanding as both bait and food. Excellent eating — the most common squid used in California calamari dishes.

Best Lures: Small squid jigs with barbed crown fished near the surface at night are effective. Any small luminescent jig produces catches from surface schools.

Best Baits: N/A as a target — Market Squid are themselves the premier bait for virtually all California sport fish. Catch them during nighttime aggregations with squid jigs or cast nets. Fresh-dead squid is the top bait for Halibut, Rockfish, Lingcod, Leopard Shark, and almost every other California bottom fish.

Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Baja California north to Alaska. Most abundant from Central California to Southern California. Forms massive spawning aggregations nearshore on shallow sandy bottom — particularly around Monterey Bay and the Channel Islands. The most commercially important squid in the California Current system.

52°F–62°F. A schooling, migratory species that ascends to the surface at night to feed and retreats to deeper water during the day. Major spawning aggregations occur in nearshore areas on sandy bottom — observable from shore.

Best Lures: Small squid jigs with barbed crown fished near the surface at night are effective. Any small luminescent jig produces catches from surface schools. Best Baits: N/A as a target — Market Squid are themselves the premier bait for virtually all California sport fish. Catch them during nighttime aggregations with squid jigs or cast nets. Fresh-dead squid is the top bait for Halibut, Rockfish, Lingcod, Leopard Shark, and almost every other California bottom fish.

Typically 6–12 inches mantle length. The dominant baitfish of the California Current — the primary prey of Rockfish, Lingcod, Salmon, and many other species. Outstanding as both bait and food. Excellent eating — the most common squid used in California calamari dishes.