Giant Squid Rig

[MuskieBait]

Squids, from speaking with friend who have caught Humboldt Squid on rod and reel, are very strong animal. They do pull hard. However, I'm not sure if a feisty squid was the reason the arm broke off.

At least one reported squid species is known for its ability to willingly break off arms. In the case of the Giant Squid, it is possible that the squid broke off its tentacle to escape capture.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notroc...NI8F8a0xek

Regarding your question on jug line vs rod and reel, you have to consider the odds of catching a giant squid. Using only rod and reel on even a large research vessel, it is difficult to increase the odd of catching if the lines only centered around the vessel. Using jug lines, lines can be deployed over a much wider area with less resource requirement. Lines can be left "unattended" for a few days as well to give enough time for the squid to encounter a bait.

If you use heavy enough lines or ropes, you really don't need any drag at all. There is no need to play an animal if the line can handle the stress and the winch has enough torque to simply winch the creature in. When you watch commercial fishing videos, do those vessels use any reel with drags to pull in a thousand tonne catch of fish?

Rods and reels are really only used to give the fish a fighting chance to break free. If you were fishing with an intent to keep, there is no need for rods and reels.

The reason the boats in Wicked Tuna use rods and reels is due to the Bluefin Tuna fishing regulations there. Those licenses owned by those boats are given out with restriction on gear. You've also seen harpoons used on the show. Was there a rod and reel involved? Were they not able to bring an harpooned tuna in BY HAND?

By the way, here's something interesting...it's called "jack pole" and it has been used for a very long time. Good to see it is still in practice somewhere today.

http://youtu.be/YsfLkGqNPTw

Also, Hawaiian tuna fisherman had used jug lines for YEARS to fish for tuna. They are known for their superior handlining skills, bring in 100-200lb tuna on by hand on those jug lines.