Why Winter Is the Best Time for Squid in Perth
If you haven't tried squid fishing in Perth, you're missing out on one of the most accessible and rewarding fisheries in Western Australia. Southern calamari are available year-round in our metro waters, but it's the cooler months - May through August - when the big ones move into the shallows to breed, making them easier targets from jetties, rock walls, and boats.
The beauty of squidding is its simplicity. You don't need a boat, expensive gear, or years of experience. A decent rod, a handful of jigs, and some basic technique will have you bringing home fresh calamari for dinner. This guide covers everything you need to know - from where to go, what gear to use, and the techniques that consistently produce results in Perth's waters.
Best Spots for Squid Fishing in Perth
Squid love structure - weed beds, jetty pylons, rock walls, and reef edges. Here are the most productive spots in the metro area:
Cockburn Sound (the squid capital)
- Woodman Point Jetty - consistently one of Perth's best jetty spots. Check the deck for ink stains - if it's stained, it's producing. The deeper water at the end of the jetty is often best after dark.
- Ammo Jetty (Coogee) - extremely popular and for good reason. Can get busy on weekends, but the squid numbers make up for the crowds. Best at dawn, dusk, and after dark.
- Point Peron - productive off the rocks in the mornings. Work your jigs over the weed beds just off the edge.
Fremantle
- North Mole & South Mole - excellent structure with deep water access. Fish the rock edges and drop-offs where squid ambush baitfish.
- Fishing Boat Harbour - especially productive after dark when the harbour lights attract baitfish (and squid). Fish near the pylons and boat ramps.
Northern Suburbs
- Hillarys Boat Harbour - the marina walls and nearby reef hold squid year-round. Dawn sessions can be incredibly productive.
- Mindarie Marina - surprisingly good for big squid on warm evenings, particularly in the weedy areas close to rocks. Best between 6:30-8:30pm.
- Cottesloe Groyne (south side) - less crowded than other spots and holds consistent numbers.
Boat-Based Spots
- Cockburn Sound weed beds - drift over the shallow weed in 2-4 metres of water. Clear water with visible weed patches is ideal. This is where the biggest calamari live.
- Warnbro Sound - shallow weed banks hold large southern calamari. Sight-fishing on calm days is incredible.
- Garden Island - the weed flats on the eastern side (outside restricted zones) are excellent. Check current DPIRD closures before heading out.
The Right Gear for WA Squid Fishing
You can catch squid on any light spinning setup, but dedicated egi gear makes a significant difference to your jig action, bite detection, and overall enjoyment.
Rods
A purpose-built egi (squid) rod is the single best investment for serious squidders. These rods feature a fast, responsive tip for darting jigs naturally, with a softer mid-section that cushions the squid's tentacle grip and prevents tearing. A regular spinning rod won't give you the same jig action or sensitivity.
What to look for:
- Length: 7'6" to 8'6" for shore-based (shorter if fishing from a boat)
- Rating: 2.0-3.5 egi size (or PE 0.4-0.8)
- Action: Fast tip with parabolic mid-section
Our recommendations: The Oceans Legacy Dreamcast Squid Seeker is a Perth favourite - designed right here for our conditions. For a great mid-range option, the Atomic Arrowz Egi offers excellent sensitivity at a reasonable price. The Daiwa 20 Emeraldas V is a proven performer, and if you want top-tier JDM quality, the Yamaga Blanks Mebius is exceptional.
Reels
A quality 2500-3000 size spinning reel is perfect. You want smooth drag and a good line lay for casting light jigs. Don't overthink this - any decent reel in that size range will work well.
Line
Use PE 0.4-0.8 braid (4-10lb) as your main line. Thinner braid gives better casting distance and more natural jig control. Connect it to about 1-1.5 metres of 6-10lb fluorocarbon leader - fluoro is nearly invisible to squid and sinks to keep your jig in the zone.
We stock quality leaders from Sunline, Daiwa, Yamatoyo, and Oceans Legacy - all excellent for squidding applications.
Squid Jigs
This is where it gets fun. Squid jigs (egi) come in various sizes, colours, sink rates, and styles. Here's what you need to know:
Size:
- 2.5 - perfect for jetties and shallow water. Great starting size.
- 3.0 - versatile all-rounder. Works from jetties and boats.
- 3.5 - the standard for most shore-based fishing. Casts well and works deeper water.
Colour: Start with natural prawn/shrimp patterns for clear water, and brighter pinks/oranges for murky water or after dark. Squid can see UV, so jigs with UV elements can be deadly - especially at dawn and dusk.
Sink rate: Standard sinking jigs work for most jetty situations. Deep (D) models are better for boat fishing or working deeper areas from shore.
Choosing the right size:
- Size 2.5 - shallow water (1-3m), calm conditions, clear water, or pressured squid. Lighter and more subtle. Ideal for jetty fishing in calm weather.
- Size 3.0 - the best all-rounder. Works from jetties, rocks, and boats in 2-6m of water. A great starting point if you're buying your first jigs.
- Size 3.5 - the standard for most shore-based eging. Casts well, handles moderate current and wind, and works in 3-10m. This is the size most Perth squidders reach for first.
- Size 4.0 - deep water, strong current, wind, or when you need maximum casting distance. Also targets the bigger calamari that prefer a larger meal.
Sink rate matters: Wind and current affect how your jig sinks. In strong current, your jig fishes shallower than you think because the line is being pushed sideways. In these conditions, upsize to a heavier jig or use a "Deep" (D) model to stay in the strike zone near the bottom.
Top sellers at Compleat Angler Nedlands:
- Yamashita Egi OH Live 3.5 Neon Bright - the gold standard. Japanese-made quality.
- Shimano Sephia Clinch Flashboost 3.0/3.5 - internal hologram flash attracts squid from distance.
- Oceans Legacy Egi Seeker 3.5 - designed for Australian conditions, brilliant action.
- Daiwa Emeraldas Nude V2 - premium Japanese egi with exceptional dart and fall.
- Bite Science Squid Slayer 3.0 - great value option that punches above its price.
Choosing the Right Jig Colour
Colour selection can make the difference between a quiet session and a bag-out. Squid have excellent eyesight and their response to colour changes with conditions.
Overcast, low light, or murky water: Go darker and more natural. Brown, olive, red/brown, and dark prawn patterns create a strong silhouette that squid can spot against dull backgrounds. These colours work because squid look upward at their prey - a dark jig stands out against a grey sky.
Sunny, clear water, bright days: Brighter and more translucent colours come into their own. Pink, orange, white, and natural prawn patterns with flash elements are effective. In very clear water, subtle, realistic patterns often outperform loud colours.
Dawn, dusk, and night: This is where glow and UV-reactive jigs dominate. Charge your glow jigs with a UV torch before every cast - a 3-5 second blast activates the glow coating and makes your jig visible in low light. Neon Bright jigs from Yamashita are specifically designed for this. White, chartreuse, and pink glow patterns are the most effective after dark.
The golden rule: If one colour isn't working, change. Squid can be incredibly fussy, and a colour switch often triggers immediate interest. Carry at least 3-4 different colours and rotate through them.
Using a UV Torch
A UV torch is an essential piece of squidding gear, especially for dawn, dusk, and night sessions. Before each cast, give your glow jig a 3-5 second blast with the UV torch to fully charge the phosphorescent coating. This makes the jig glow brightly underwater, significantly increasing visibility and attracting squid from further away. Re-charge every few casts as the glow fades over time.
Techniques That Work in Perth
The Basic Egi Retrieve (shore-based)
- Cast out and let the jig sink to near the bottom. Count it down - roughly 1 second per metre of depth for a standard 3.5.
- Two sharp upward snaps of the rod tip - this darts the jig forward and up, imitating a fleeing prawn.
- Pause and let it sink on a tight line for 3-5 seconds. This is the critical moment - squid almost always strike on the sink.
- Repeat. Wind in slack on the pause, then snap again.
Key tip: The pause is everything. Most beginners retrieve too fast. Let the jig sink, maintain tension, and watch your line. If it goes slack, twitches, or moves sideways - you've got a squid. Sweep the rod firmly (don't strike hard - you'll tear them off).
Jetty Fishing at Night
Work the edges of the light pools cast by jetty lights. Squid sit in the shadow zone and ambush baitfish that are attracted to the light. Cast past the light pool and retrieve your jig through the shadow-to-light transition zone.
Boat Technique (Cockburn Sound)
Set up a slow drift over weed beds in 2-4 metres. Cast your jig slightly ahead of the drift direction, let it sink to just above the weed, and work it back with sharp snaps and long pauses. If you can see your jig - even better. Sight-casting to visible squid is one of fishing's greatest thrills.
Tips for Bigger Bags
- Fish the tide changes - rising tide is often best as squid move into shallower water to hunt.
- Dawn and dusk are consistently the most productive periods, though night fishing under lights can be excellent.
- Stay mobile - if you haven't had a touch in 10 minutes, move along the jetty. Squid school up in patches.
- Carry 3-4 different jig colours - if one isn't working, change. Squid can be fussy about colour.
- Use a quick-change clip on the end of your leader instead of tying directly to the jig. This lets you swap colours and sizes in seconds without cutting and retying. When squid are fussy about colour, fast changes make all the difference.
- Use a net - scoop from behind/head end to avoid ink spray. Hold over water briefly to let them discharge.
- Dispatch quickly with a squid spike between the eyes for the freshest, whitest meat. A stressed squid tastes noticeably worse.
Bag Limits & Regulations
In Western Australia, the bag limit for cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish, and octopus combined) is 15 per person per day in the West Coast Bioregion (Perth metro area). There is no minimum size limit for squid.
Always check the current DPIRD regulations before fishing - rules can change. Visit fish.wa.gov.au for the latest information.
From Ocean to Table
Fresh calamari is one of the best eating experiences the ocean offers - but how you handle the squid between catching and cooking makes an enormous difference.
On the Water
- Dispatch quickly. A squid spike (or a sharp knife) between the eyes kills the squid instantly. The mantle turns from translucent to white when done correctly. A quick dispatch means whiter, better-tasting meat.
- Ice immediately. Get the squid into an ice slurry (ice + seawater) as soon as possible. Squid deteriorate quickly in the heat - keeping them cold preserves texture and flavour.
- Avoid the ink. When landing, hold the squid away from you with the tentacles pointing down. Scoop from behind with a net. Give them a moment to discharge their ink before putting them in the bag.
Cleaning
- Pull the head and tentacles away from the mantle (tube) - the guts come with them
- Remove the clear quill (gladius) from inside the tube
- Peel the skin off the outside of the tube - it comes off easily under running water
- Rinse the inside of the tube clean
- Separate the tentacles from the head - cut just below the eyes. Keep the tentacles, discard the head and guts.
Cooking
The golden rule with calamari: cook it fast and hot, or low and slow. Anything in between turns it to rubber.
- Fast and hot: Score the tube in a crosshatch pattern, cut into pieces, and cook in a screaming hot pan or on the BBQ for 30-60 seconds per side. Season with salt, pepper, lemon. Don't overcook.
- Low and slow: Whole tubes braised in a tomato or Asian-style sauce for 45+ minutes until tender.
- Salt and pepper squid: The Perth classic. Coat pieces in seasoned flour (salt, white pepper, Chinese five spice), deep fry for 60-90 seconds until golden. Serve with lemon and aioli.
Ready to Get Started?
Squid season is on right now. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to upgrade your egi game, we've got everything you need at Compleat Angler Nedlands.
Browse our full range of squid jigs and egi rods, or come into the store - our team fishes these same spots regularly and can set you up with the right gear for your budget and skill level.
Free shipping on orders over $150 Australia-wide. 154 Stirling Highway, Nedlands - (08) 9389 1337.
Shop the full Oceans Legacy range at Compleat Angler Nedlands - rods, jigs, lures, and terminal tackle in stock with free shipping over $150.