Start cuttlefish fishing: our advice

Cuttlefish are members of the cephalopod family. They feed on fish and crustaceans like many other sea and freshwater fish, so you'll need the right equipment to target them, starting with a jig, a reel and a rod!

In fact, if you're looking for a rod, we recommend reading Which rod for jig fishing? This will give you an idea of the type of equipment you'll need.

Cuttlefish is one of the best-known fish, along with squid, and is very popular with anglers. As well as being an interesting and original fish to jig, cuttlefish are delicious.

Just beware of its black ink! Cuttlefish will squirt you if you're not careful. It's a great way to have a laugh with friends by the water!

At Leurre de la Pêche, that's all it takes for us to decide to fish for cuttlefish. In this article, we'll help you get to grips with jigging for this unusual fish.

Which spot to fish for cuttlefish?

Cuttlefish fishing, also known as eging, can be done in harbours or on the coast. Like all sea fishing, the tide is an important factor to take into account if you don't want to go fishing without a drop of water at your feet. So keep an eye on your tide calendar - if you want more information, our article Which tide for cuttlefish? should be just what you're looking for!

As for fishing spots, give preference to sandy areas. Cuttlefish like to camouflage themselves there while waiting for prey. To fish effectively and comfortably, choose a fishing spot high up: on a jetty or dyke. By positioning yourself high up, you'll get better control of your jig and therefore better animation.

To do this, you'll need a long rod (around 3m). This will accompany your jig on the way down and give you a better feel for the bites.

Cuttlefish are not fish that take big bites. You need a sensitive rod to feel the famous weight at the end of the line. When you're fishing high up in the water, you need a landing net. Cuttlefish tentacles are fragile. To keep these sublime fish dry, take care not to strike too hard and use a landing net with a long handle to reach the surface of the water.

That way, you can secure your catch and let it spit out its ink (an important detail if you don't want to come back covered in black ink and throw your clothes in the bin).

It is also possible to fish for this species from your boat. You will find all the information you need in our article Jigging from a boat? How to go about it. That way, you'll be ready for any situation and, above all, you'll have plenty of fun.

Choosing the right jigs for cuttlefish fishing

What are jigs?

We've talked about spots and rods, but a good lure is still essential for a successful fishing trip. When we talk about cuttlefish fishing, we're inevitably talking about jigs.

This unusual lure imitates both a fish and/or a crustacean. Unlike a traditional hard bait, it is not fitted with a barbed treble hook but with a basket of spikes on which the cuttlefish jams and pricks its tentacles. Some are equipped with balls, while others are silent.

We've written an excellent article on how to animate such a lure: How to animate a jig when fishing? You'll be ready to go in search of your first cuttlefish!

Always carry the 2 with you. Beads often arouse the curiosity of cuttlefish but on heavily fished spots, a silent jig can make all the difference.

There are 2 main categories of jigs: sinking and floating. Of course, they are not used in the same way.

If you're wondering what colours to choose for your night fishing sessions, then our article Night cuttlefish fishing: what type of lure to choose might be of interest to you.

Sinking jigs

Sinking jigs are the most common. They are easy to use, simple to rig and similar to a traditional lure. They are available in a range of weights and colours to suit all fishing occasions. You can choose the weight of your jig according to the depth of your spot.

Many jigs also indicate the speed at which they sink, to help you make the right choice. There are 2 different ways of jigging for cuttlefish: slow linear or Bichi Bachi. The Bichi Bachi consists of long pauses between each long pull. This technique comes straight from Japan and is formidable for eging fishing.

Choose natural colours for clear water, while dark colours stand out in heavy water. Jigs are often available in UV colours. These colours are best used for cuttlefish fishing at night or during the day when light levels are low.

Floating jigs

As with traditional hard bait, there are sinking and floating jigs. The same applies to floating jigs, which are used on special rigs similar to drop shot rigs.

The jig is then positioned above a sinker. Several jigs can be used on the same rig. In this way, the jig is constantly lifted off the bottom. This rig is called a tataki. Unlike sinking jigs, floating jigs are much more sensitive to animation.

As with sinking jigs, you can animate your tataki rig using Bichi Bachi. This technique is also very effective for squid fishing all year round. Cuttlefish are excellent fish, but if you want to enjoy them, be sure to catch them sensibly to preserve the stock.

Finally, if you'd like to delve deeper into the subject, we recommend our article How to fish for cephalopods using jigs What type of jig should you choose? to find out more about this vast subject.