How to catch Octopus?

Has anyone fished Octopus?

Since my wife got a halibut, her next target is an octopus.

I watched several Youtube video catching octopus from other areas.
Ordered several jigs from Amazon.com to get ready but have no idea where to fish.

I know it is not a popular target species but hope someone has some experience.

Thank you advance for sharing your knowledge.

Paul

It is best done with a trap however that is illegal in California. I think it is legal in Oregon. I have caught a few while diving, they are usually hiding in holes and cracks. They do like rocky structures so that would be a place to try, it may be a long shot catching them on a hook.

I think one got into one of my crab traps this season. There was one crab in the trap that was in pieces, the other one in the trap looked kind of scared sitting in the corner   That is the only thing I could figure because I have never seen anything like that before in any of my traps. I wish I could have seen it.

Good luck trying to catch them on a hook and post if you have any luck...

It is best done with a trap however that is illegal in California. I think it is legal in Oregon. I have caught a few while diving, they are usually hiding in holes and cracks. They do like rocky structures so that would be a place to try, it may be a long shot catching them on a hook.

I think one got into one of my crab traps this season. There was one crab in the trap that was in pieces, the other one in the trap looked kind of scared sitting in the corner   That is the only thing I could figure because I have never seen anything like that before in any of my traps. I wish I could have seen it.

Good luck trying to catch them on a hook and post if you have any luck...

Yes, it is illegal in California.

The only octopus I caught from my kayak was one small octopus spit by a giant Cabazon.

I will sure to take photos to let you know if we ever catch one.

Octopus will be always our secondary target.  When we get tired of rock fishing, we will pursue octopus.

I knew a few Octopi caught from kayak but they're by-catches not the target species.  They're nocturnal so you have better chance catch them at night.

I knew a few Octopi caught from kayak but they're by-catches not the target species.  They're nocturnal so you have better chance catch them at night.

Thank you. 
If you see two crazy people chasing octopus middle of the night, that will be us.

Are you talking about the palm size octopus or gigantic octopus ?

Are you talking about the palm size octopus or gigantic octopus ?

Large ones 2 to 5 feet range.

The big ones live in the rocky area.
I saw them while diving.

To catch them by hook/line...well someone needs to try. I hope you get some.

The secret is to use Barbie for bait...

The secret is to use Barbie for bait...

LOL 

Ranch 99 unless you have access to a slave 

This one caught at Shelter Cove...

This one caught at Shelter Cove...

That is a nice one.

I realize a lot of people may disagree - maybe its just me, but a growing community say octopuses (octopi?) are some of the most intelligent creatures on the planet, and the limits of their intelligence is still unknown and being studied.  With this in mind, I tend to equate this to say a dolphin, orca, chimp, maybe even a domesticated horse, cat, dog, etc... all animals I would never choose to kill for sport/food.  In the spirit of conservation and good ocean karma, I would likely pass from harvesting a giant octopus to eat.     

They are smart and have a very short life which is kind of sad. One to two years for small octopus (they type I eat), and only up to five years for a Giant Pacific Octopus. I would never eat a Giant Octopus, just too much going on there. They get a real bad deal on life...they die soon after mating!

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/g/giant-pacific-octopus/