If you like CALAMARI, grab a fishing rod and head down to Dana Point Harbor !
Ninety anglers on two boats from Dana Wharf Sportfishing out of Dana Point harbor Monday night hauled in 530 Humboldt squid, including the largest one – a 55-pounder.
"What was most shocking to me was the volume of squid," said Dana Wharf Capt. Jack VanDyke. "There is a tremendous amount of squid out there. I just had to go out to the canyon where the (water drops) from 100 to 600 feet. The squid are just hanging out there."
Dana Wharf's telephone lines have been jammed with anglers angling to get on boats and the business says it will put as many boats as needed to get the fishermen out for the daily squid runs at 5:30 p.m., as long as the Humboldt squids are in local waters.
The Register's Sciencedude Gary Robbins reported on his blog that the influx began Friday, which is also when the phones at local sportfishing outlets started ringing off the hook.
Chris Cunningham, manager of Davey's Locker Sportfishing in Newport Beach told Robbins that the catch could be a one day thing. Humboldt squid — which are also called jumbos — are a here today, gone tomorrow creature. (Read Robbins' full post about the catch for anglers in Newport Beach.)
Dana Wharf officials recommend taking only as many Humboldt squid that you can consume.
There is no limit on the number of squid a person or boat can catch, said spokeswoman Roxann Pope.
"Dana Wharf promotes taking only what you will eat which is generally 4-5 per person," she said. "Dana Wharf also only allows cleaned and prepared squid to be removed from the boat. We clean the squid on the boat so the carcass can be cast back into the ocean to feed the bottom dwellers. This helps to ensure people only take what they'll eat."
Another trip on Sunday took 39 anglers in Dana Point harbor, who also caught a full boat of the Humboldts.
And, 41 anglers, who went on a special squid run on Saturday with Dana Wharf, reeled in more than 200 Humboldt squid – all weighing 20 to 30 pounds each, according to a news release.
"We had our limits within two hours – the giant squid were everywhere," Dana Wharf Capt. Corey Lieser said.
The squid are fished for at night, when it's easier to lure them with lights, the news release said.
"The light causes the plankton (consisting of drifting organisms) the squid feed on to shine, which causes the squid to rise to the surface to feed, making them easier to catch," said Lieser in a statement.
The Humboldt squid have been showing up in our local waters since 1983, according to Dana Wharf Sportfishing.
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