Squid Jigs

November 9, 2017

Question: I have a question regarding the regulations for market/jumbo squid. Section 29.70 in the Ocean Regulations simply states that “squid may be taken with hand-held dip nets.” However, I have seen many guys using squid jigs of all types to catch squid. The jigs have no hooks but are a circular nest of pins around a lure body that lightly snag the squid when they attack the jig. This seems like a common method of take but I don’t see it listed in the regs. Is using a squid jig legal to catch squid south of Pt. Conception? (Mark N.)

Answer: Squid fishing regulations can be found in the general mollusks section of the regulations book beginning on page 36. Here it says, “Except as otherwise provided in this article, saltwater mollusks, including octopus, may be taken only on hook and line or with the hands” (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.10). Therefore, since squid may be taken with hook and line, the squid jig may be used as a type of hooking device. Squid jigs are legal for catching squid throughout California.