Squid Fishing With a Squid Catcher Rig

November 10, 2011

Question: I’m new to fishing in Monterey waters and I don’t want to break any laws. I would like to catch squid with a squid catcher rig and want to know if I can use some of the rigs they sell online that have more than six squid hooks. Is there a limit to the number of squid hooks on one rig? I would like to try to make one with 10 squid hooks. (Rudy)

Answer: Fortunately, the answer is simple. According to DFG Captain Don Kelly, there is no restriction on the number of hooks you may use for the take of squid. A hand held-held dip net is also a legal method to take squid. Additionally, there is no bag limit. Just be sure there are no salmon or rockfish aboard or else fishing with this rig would not be legal.

What's considered a hand held dip net?

I'm assuming that I can't use a cast net? What about a ring crab trap that has been modified to have smaller holes?

DFG's definition of a dip net:

1.42. DIP NET. Webbing supported by a frame, and hand held, not more than six feet in greatest dimension, excluding handle.

Throw Nets:
28.80. DIP NETS AND HAWAIIAN TYPE THROW NETS. Dip nets of any size and baited hoop nets not greater than 36 inches in diameter may be used to take herring, Pacific staghorn sculpin, shiner surfperch, surf smelt, topsmelt, anchovies, shrimp and squid. Hawaiian type throw nets may be used north of Point Conception to take such species.