Squid – Australian Species Guide

Squid

Common species: Southern calamari, Arrow squid, Tiger squid
Common names: Squid, Calamari
Average size: 20–45 cm hood length
Trophy size: Large breeding calamari
Activity pattern: Opportunistic visual predator, structure and light-oriented

Distribution and key locations (Australia)

Squid are one of Australia’s most popular and accessible inshore species. They are widespread around the country and thrive in clean coastal systems containing weed beds, broken reef, bait, and tidal movement.

Southern calamari are the primary target species for most anglers and are highly prized both as sport and table fare.

Prime regions

NSW: Harbours, estuaries and rocky coastal bays
Victoria: Weed beds and shallow reef systems
South Australia: Extensive calamari grounds
Tasmania: Clear cool-water coastal systems
Western Australia: Seagrass and reef flats

High-percentage areas

Ribbon weed beds
Broken reef and sand patches
Shallow coastal bays
Jetty and harbour edges
Current lines around structure
Night fishing around artificial light

Squid are heavily structure-oriented and rarely stray far from ambush cover.

Habitat features to look for

Squid are visual ambush predators that use camouflage, weed cover, and current flow to intercept bait.

Key structure

Seagrass beds
Broken reef
Sand-to-weed transitions
Kelp edges
Harbour pylons
Rock walls and shallow bommies

Food sources

Small baitfish
Prawns
Crustaceans
Juvenile squid

Water conditions

Clean clear water is critical
Light tidal flow improves activity
Calm conditions often improve visibility and sight-fishing opportunities

Find healthy weed beds with bait and clean water, and squid usually won’t be far away.

Seasonal patterns

Squid can be targeted year-round, though breeding and migration periods often create peak fishing windows.

Best seasons

Autumn through spring: Peak calamari fishing in many southern systems
Winter: Large breeding squid commonly move shallow
Summer: Productive during low-light periods and cooler water phases

Seasonal notes

Large spawning squid often hold over shallow weed beds
Cooler water commonly improves consistency
Calm stable weather can produce exceptional sight-fishing

Massive breeding calamari are often surprisingly shallow.

Weather and conditions (critical)

Ideal conditions

Light wind
Clear water
Gentle tidal movement
Overcast skies or low-angle light

Best fishing conditions

Dawn and dusk
Calm mornings
Lightly stirred water with good visibility

Avoid

Dirty floodwater
Heavy swell over shallow weed beds
Extremely strong current

Too much water movement often makes squid hesitant and difficult to locate.

Bait – what actually works

Although most squid are caught on jigs, natural bait can still be highly effective.

Top natural baits

Live prawns
Pilchard strips
Fish fillets
Garfish pieces
Small live baitfish

Bait rules

Fresh bait outfishes old bait
Slow movement is critical
Squid often attack from behind or above

Natural bait presentations work particularly well under floats at night.

Tackle and rigs

Squid are lightly built but require specialised tackle for effective hook-up rates and presentation.

Rod and reel

Rod: 2–5 kg squid or light spin rod
Reel: 2000–2500 size spin reel
Line: PE 0.6–1.0 braid
Leader: 6–12 lb fluorocarbon

Terminal gear

Squid jigs (egi)
Clips and lightweight snaps
Floats for bait fishing
Slow-sink presentations

Common jig sizes

Jig size often depends on depth, current, and squid size.

Jigs and colours (when and why)

Modern squid fishing revolves around artificial jigs and controlled presentation.

Effective colours

Natural baitfish colours
Pink
Orange
Brown/gold
UV patterns
Glow patterns for low light

When to use different colours

Bright natural tones in clear water
Glow or high-contrast colours in dirty water or low light
Darker colours during bright sunny conditions

Retrieval style

Slow lifts and pauses
Sharp upward rips followed by slack-line sink
Long pauses over weed pockets

Most squid strikes occur during the sink phase.

Boat vs land-based fishing

Boat fishing

Advantages:

Ability to drift weed beds
Better access to shallow reef systems
Easier depth control

Land-based fishing

Excellent around:

Jetties
Harbour walls
Rock platforms
Coastal breakwalls

Night fishing around lights can be extremely productive.

Time of day

Best: Dawn, dusk, and night
Night: Outstanding around artificial lighting
Daytime: Productive in clear shallow water

Low light often brings squid into surprisingly shallow areas.

Common mistakes

Working jigs too aggressively
Fishing dirty water
Retrieving too quickly
Ignoring weed edges and sand pockets
Using overly heavy leaders
Failing to pause during retrieves

Many squid follow jigs repeatedly before committing.

Final rule of squid fishing

Fish clean water, focus on weed structure, and slow your presentation down.

Consistent squid anglers succeed by carefully working productive structure, adjusting jig colour and sink rate to conditions, and paying close attention to how squid react during each retrieve.