EGI RODS, SQUID JIGS, LINE & LEADER
Squidding & Egi Gear
Squid are the most accessible fishery in Perth. Southern calamari sit over the weed and sand patches from Fremantle to Hillarys, around the Rottnest bays and along the metro rock walls and jetties, and they're there all year with the biggest numbers and biggest squid in the cooler months. You can chase them from a boat, a kayak, a jetty or the beach with a rod that weighs 100 grams.
Egi is the method: cast a weighted prawn-shaped jig past the target, let it sink, lift it twice so it darts, then let it hang. The take comes on the pause. Compleat Angler Nedlands stocks the biggest Yamashita and Daiwa Emeraldas jig range in Perth, egi rods from Ocean's Legacy, Yamaga Blanks and Daiwa, and the fine braid and fluoro that makes the difference. Browse by category below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size squid jig should I use in Perth?
Size 3.0 is the all-rounder for metro squid, 2.5 in shallow water or for smaller squid, 3.5 for the deeper Rottnest and Cockburn Sound grounds and for the big winter calamari. Carry a couple of each, and a mix of natural and bright colours: pink and orange for dirty water, natural browns and greens for clear water and pressured squid.
Do I need a dedicated egi rod?
No, but it helps. An egi rod is long (8 to 8'6"), light and has a crisp tip so you can snap the jig into a dart with a flick of the wrist and feel the weight of a squid grabbing it on the fall. A 7' 2–4kg bream rod will catch squid; a Yamaga Mebius, Daiwa Emeraldas or Ocean's Legacy Squid Seeker will catch more of them.
What line for squid?
PE0.6 to PE0.8 braid (8 to 12lb) with 2 to 3 metres of 8 to 12lb fluorocarbon leader. Light line lets the jig sink naturally and lets you feel the squid; fluoro is near-invisible and resists the rough weed edges they live over. An eging-specific braid like Varivas Avani or Majorcraft Dangan is built for exactly this.
Where do I catch squid in Perth without a boat?
The Fremantle inner harbour walls, the Rockingham foreshore, Woodman Point, the Hillarys and Ocean Reef marina walls, Palm Beach jetty and the Rottnest jetties all hold squid. Fish the edges where weed meets sand, and the light lines at night. A squid jig in a small backpack turns any walk along the water into a session.
When is the best time for squid in Perth?
Squid are caught year-round, but April to October gives the biggest numbers and the biggest individuals as calamari move inshore to spawn. Dawn, dusk and night under lights are the peak windows, and a rising tide over the weed beds is the best of all.