The second and final shot for squid this year.
As May rolls in, squid fishermen break out their jigs and artificial lights and head for their favorite honey holes in hopes of putting a few calamari in the bucket, either for the dinner table or as freshly caught fluke bait served whole or in strips.
The question that keeps crossing my mind is: are we too late? Many anglers spend mild nights in May and June chasing squid, while hardcore fanatics begin as early as mid-April when air temperatures dip into the 30s with windchills in the 20s.
The truth is April produces some of the best squid fishing during the spring run along the North Shore bays, harbors, and the East End of Long Island Sound. Two factors make all the difference: water temperatures below 60 degrees and squid that manage to evade the commercial trawlers pounding the Northeast to fill their totes with both longfin and shortfin. April is the prime month for squid to escape the nets—but not the jigs. If you missed the April run, don’t worry. The fall run of calamari is often even more productive than spring and early summer.
Life As A Squid
In the Northeast, two species of squid are common: the longfin and the shortfin. Both share many characteristics but also have distinct traits.
The longfin live inshore and can reach two feet in length. The shortfin stay farther offshore, averaging a foot and a half. The longfin are generally white with a pinkish hue, while the shortfin show more brownish-orange coloration.
Both are delicacies, but in different ways. Longfin are tender and sweet, while shortfin have a heartier, savory taste, often preferred by chefs worldwide. Both species camouflage expertly, blending with their surroundings, and each has three hearts and a donut-shaped brain. They move with jet propulsion, sucking water into their mantle and forcing it out for bursts of speed.
Longfin also have ink sacs and will discharge them multiple times when threatened. Expect one shot when they’re hooked, another as they break the surface, and a final surprise just as you reach to unhook them. In short—stand back, and don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Light Up The Night
Squid fishing success is tied to light. Squid aren’t directly attracted to the glow—it’s the baitfish, like spearing, anchovies, grass shrimp, killies, and small crabs, that swarm in the light. Squid follow the food.
Some anglers take advantage of existing dock and pier lighting. State and national parks along both shores are well lit at night, but access requires a night fishing permit. Commercial and private docks are also illuminated, though most—like Port Jefferson—are strictly off-limits to anglers.
Others bring their own light sources. At Greenport Railroad Dock, it’s common to see fishermen running portable generators with long extension cords powering banks of floodlights. Others opt for 12-volt car batteries connected to DC lamps. Both work, but hauling heavy equipment is inconvenient.
That’s why many anglers have turned to modern alternatives. In June 2025, the Blazhuntor 4000 hit the market. This compact, submersible fishing light turns on automatically in the water, shining with 4,000 lumens of green light in a 360-degree beam for up to 16 hours on a charge. Impact-resistant, waterproof, and submersible to 300 feet, it holds up in saltwater and strong currents.
At 2-1/2 pounds, it’s far easier to carry than a generator, and it flat-out works. At $130 it isn’t cheap, but treated with care it will last for years and can be used for all types of fishing where light matters.
For anglers who fish often, this type of tool also opens opportunities beyond squid. Drop it in a freshwater lake for crappie or shad, or use it offshore to draw in mackerel, herring, and other bait schools. In every case, the principle is the same: baitfish gather around the glow, and predators come to investigate.
Dance And Jig The Night Away
Capt. Dave Brennan, formerly of the Peconic Star Fleet, once taught me a trick: if you want to catch more porgies, squid, or any jigging species, put on jazz. The rhythm naturally influences your movement, keeping your jigging smooth and consistent. It works for squid just as well as it does for fish.
As for jigs themselves, the choices are endless—colors, sizes, shapes, rigging styles. Some are fished solo, others in tandem rigs. The best mimic natural prey, provide enticing motion, and feature ultra-sharp crown hooks that secure the catch.
One of the most reliable is the Yo-Zuri Ultra Bait Squid Jig. Offered in three sizes and five colors, it features holographic prism finishes and glow-in-the-dark belly accents for murky water. They can be fished solo or in tandem sabiki-style, with one to four jigs and a sinker covering the entire water column.
If I had to pick a single color, it would be pink, but each night is different, so carrying a range is best. For three or four jigs, use 20-pound fluorocarbon leader; for two, 10 pound; and for singles, 8 pound.
For tackle, spinning outfits in the 8 to 15-pound class are ideal, with 12 to 20-pound setups recommended if running multiple jigs. Whether fishing braid or mono, tie in fluorocarbon leaders with an Albright knot. Finish the rig with 1 to 3-ounce dipsey sinkers to hold bottom in stronger currents.
And remember, keep your jigging steady but varied—long pulls, short hops, even pauses. Squid often follow for several feet before committing. If your rhythm looks alive, they’ll grab it.
Bait And Healthy Eating
Squid are more than just sport—they’re some of the most versatile bait you’ll ever put in your cooler. Fall squid can be vacuum-packed, frozen, and stored away for spring runs of fluke, weakfish, and stripers.
Smaller squid can be fished whole for big ocean fluke or large weakfish in Peconic and Great South Bays. Stripers love them live, but a thawed squid on a 5/0 Gamakatsu Circle Hook makes a fine stand-in for live eels on the night tides. Larger squid can be cut into strips and paired with spearing for fluke or used solo for weakfish, jumbo porgies, and sea bass.
Some anglers even salt their squid strips before freezing them. A light brine toughens the flesh, keeping it on the hook longer during repeated casts or when smaller fish are pecking at the bait. It’s a small step that pays dividends when fishing gets fast and furious.
On the culinary side, calamari is a staple worldwide and for good reason. Prepared properly, it’s delicious, and it also provides real health benefits. Squid is lean, protein-rich, and low in calories. It delivers omega-3 fatty acids for heart and brain health, B-12 for red blood cell production, copper and selenium for bone and immune support, and choline for brain function and memory.
Grilled, fried, or stuffed, calamari is versatile in the kitchen. A simple preparation with olive oil, garlic, and lemon turns fresh-caught squid into a meal that rivals anything from a restaurant. For those who enjoy cooking, catching your own squid adds another layer of satisfaction—food that you worked for, enjoyed on the water, and then served at the table.
Squid are a gift to anglers and seafood lovers alike. They’re fun to catch, they’re excellent bait for a wide range of species, and they’re a healthy addition to the dinner table.
The fall run gives anglers the chance to stock up for both. So bundle up, grab your lights and jigs, and make the most of these cool nights along the North Shore. Whether you’re filling the freezer for spring stripers or preparing calamari for a holiday feast, this fishery delivers.
