Giant Squids caught at Depoe Bay

samson · 10-03-2003, 07:32 PM

The boat Enterprise caught 30 huge squid sportfishing at night with lights. These squid were about 20-25 lbs each.the deckhands were fishing with fishing poles with yozuri type lures for sharks but started catching squid.they said it was better than fighting a tuna,these squid were really a fight and mean. they were out on the tuna grounds wendesday.they got 16 tuna,they saw jumper schools at 25 miles west .the squid were Humboldt Squid,totally a wild fishing night.maybe an overlooked sportfishery!

Mr. Fisherman · 10-03-2003, 08:13 PM

Well the Sword Boat has already been there done that. Old news that may have led to the trip mentioned. I'll leave it at that but save to say that I would like the opportunity to catch one... I just don't know what I would do woth it once I had it to the boat... :whazzup:

Sea Jypzee · 10-03-2003, 09:08 PM

Ray - the Julie Rose III trip had nothing to do with the Enterprise's trip. Dave on the Enterprise took a crew out tuesday for a tuna trip, and from what they were telling me the other morning when they came in, they were pretty much 'shark fishing' when they got into the squid.

Mr. Fisherman · 10-03-2003, 11:40 PM

I haven't heard of too many overnight Tuna trips so I thought it may have been experimental...
Sure sounds like fun either way...

Sea Jypzee · 10-04-2003, 06:33 AM

They were out for commercial purposes.

skein · 10-04-2003, 06:38 AM

Popeye needs to post that pic of Corrirod with his little "throw-back" squid.

How 'bout it, Popeye? You out there?

Skein

justasillyolgirl · 10-04-2003, 10:10 AM

This might seem like a dumb question, but, what do you do with these squid when you get them to the boat? :whazzup: Gaff hook? Toss back? Use as bait? Are they any good to eat, or just fun to catch?

skein · 10-04-2003, 10:25 AM

That's a good question. Mostly we looked at each other and said, "What now?"

The big ones we caught were too big to just lift in the boat, so we gaffed them. Gaff them where? That was the burning question. We would sorta drag them onto the swim platform and then try to gaff them in the body. None of us was interested in getting wrapped up in the tentacles, and we really wanted nothing to do with that chipper/shredder they call a beak.

Overall it was pretty ludicrous. :grin: They were blasting water out of their jets, changing colors faster than a neon sign, watching you with those huge, starring eyes, and, oh yeah, did I mention the ink? Ugh. Black, nasty looking goo that we weren't sure we would ever get off Popeye's boat.

I haven't eaten any yet other than a bite that Popeye's wife fixed for us while we were cleaning fish right after we got back. It was a little rubbery, but she didn't pound it or anything. I'd like to try some battered and fried.

Wait 'til you see that picture.

Skein

Deepslayer · 10-04-2003, 10:55 AM

Welcome aboard Samson! Did they keep the squid? Any pictures? Sure would be a sight to see thirty of those squid together! :shocked:
,Ed

Mr. Fisherman · 10-04-2003, 11:00 PM

did you ever get the ink off the boat?
What did the trick if ya did (and I know you did)

will_e_fish · 10-04-2003, 11:50 PM

Wow some Big Squid. They are good little chewy, battered with salt and peppered deep fried very good.

I have been out on the Enterprise(55 ft)and they have roomy berths below for night fishing adventures. Never tried their longer or night trip but I bet it is a blast the deck hand is a great guy and I have smelled his breakfast cooking so I assume he is a good cook as well.
Did they sell the squid commercially or eat it?
Yikes and they fight better than tuna? I gotta try that and I like to eat the calmari too.

samson · 10-06-2003, 06:59 PM

the squid had very large eyes and we cut out the beaks,very sharp too.we cleaned them sorta like a razor clam,cut down one side of the head and the guts came out easy,and were left witha big white piece of squid about 2'x2'and about 1 inch thick.the suckers had sharp little hook things around them.these type squid are sold as calamari steaks iwas told.one person said look up humboldt squid on the net and there's lots of info about fishing these squid down mexico way.Dave and I want to find out how far inshore these squid might be. ourlocal paper will have good pics of them soon.