Squidding - Ryde Pier

It's that time of year again when the squid start to put in an appearance. I hadn't heard of any being caught on the grapevine but thought it was worth a shot all the same. I'd rigged up a mackerel head with the hooks from a squid jig attached to it and lowered that over the side near one of the car park lamps.
I had another rod loaded with crab looking for Smoothounds to at least give me a little action if the squid were not yet in residence.
The squid rod stayed quiet for most of the night but I was kept busy with a steady stream of small hounds - nothing bigger than 5lb but good fun all the same.
Then just on high tide a familiar slow nodding on the squid rod. I gave it a good couple of minutes and lifted the rod strongly - a weighty resistance followed by some lunges had me readying the net with one hand and coaxing up a squid with the other. The jig hooks ensured the squid stayed attached and soon I had him in the net. It's important to net these things from the arse end as they only really swim backwards.

I find these things fascinating and they never fail to amaze by flashing and changing colours that move along the length of the body.
It's always pleasing to catch exactly what you have set out for - they make good eating and great cod bait too!