Squid Activity and Patterns to Match 'Em?

[turnstone]

2 Questions re Squid:

1. What are people seeing out there for sizes and quantities? I was fishing in Plymouth last week and found a school of squid holding (incredibly)in fast current for 2+ hours as bass ripped through them. They were about 6-8" it seemed. They didn't move around like baitfish usually do? Is that typical?

2. I am clueless re good squid patterns. A fish I kept last week (first in a long, long time!) had a big white one (8" body) in its stomach (along with a med sized lady crab).

What to do about the squid? The squid was white, but also partially digested. Are they ever white when alive, or are they normally just opaque and/or that rusty color? What do you do about use of colors? And, how DO you emulate a 8" - 10" squid for Pete's sake?!

Just thinking here. Maybe I'm thinking too much!

[Ray]

Regarding your squid patterns, I have just made a few my self. They are white. Squid can look white, mostly on moon lit nights, but do change color frequently.

If you tie flies, tie on a small bunch of white buchtail, then randomly tie 8 - 10 white chinese neck feathers with black dots added both to the bend of a long shank hook.
Then create a head, either with the thread your using or something like yarn, where the two materials are tied off. Add big eyes and cover with epoxy. Add a small bunch of white marabou to the end of the hook and tie off.

Remember squid pulse when they swim, so retrieve that way.

[rwolson]

Check out the link http://www.noreast.com/fly/patterns/squid.cfm

Here's how to tie a Sea Arrow Squid.

Tight lines!

[turnstone]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the feedback. RT is a great forum!