We hit the water at Monterey Bay, and right away, we knew it was going to be a challenge. The temperature was hanging in the low 60s, typical for this time of year, but the wind was the real kicker. With gusts reaching 10 mph, it wasn’t exactly calm out there, but we decided to stick with the kayak and give it a shot. The wind made things tough, pushing us around more than we liked, but we were determined. After all, the squid were out there, and when they’re biting, it’s worth fighting through the elements.
At first, it was a bit slow. The squid were deep, staying closer to the bottom, which meant more work on the line. But as the morning went on, they started rising to around 50 feet, making things a whole lot easier. When they get up like that, it’s game on, and you can pull in multiple squid on a single drop. And that’s exactly what happened.
New to this spot? Check out our full guide, complete with Google Maps, top gear recommendations, and insider tips.
Before we knew it, we were hauling in squid after squid. At one point, I managed to hook eight squid in a single drop, which is always a thrill. The action was non-stop, and it felt like we could have hit 500 squid for the day if we really pushed it. But of course, nothing lasts forever. There was a lull in the action—probably due to a whale passing through the area, spooking the squid. That’s the thing about Monterey Bay; you never know what kind of marine life might show up and change the whole dynamic.
When it comes to our group’s go-to reel for a day on the water, the Okuma Convector always delivers. Its sturdy build and reliable drag system make it a solid choice, especially for handling bigger catches like halibut or battling a fast squid bite. The levelwind design ensures smooth line retrieval, which is a must when you’re dealing with long fights in tough conditions, like the winds we often face out in Monterey Bay. Whether we’re drifting for halibut or jigging for squid, the Convector has proven time and again to be the reel we trust for versatility and durability.
The lull didn’t last long, though. Soon enough, the squid were back, and we were back in business. Each drop was pulling in multiple squid, and they were aggressive. They might not be the biggest fighters, but when you’ve got a few of them on the line at once, it makes for some fast-paced action.
After a solid few hours of filling the kayak’s well with squid, I decided to switch things up and go for halibut. With fresh squid in the bait box, the plan was to drift along the edges where we had spotted some anchovy schools earlier. The conditions weren’t ideal for drifting, though, with the wind picking up again, but I figured it was worth a shot.
Unfortunately, no halibut came to play, but that’s how it goes sometimes. No complaints here, though—catching that many squid in a single day was more than enough to make it a success. And to top it off, I pulled in the biggest squid I’ve ever caught in Monterey Bay. It’s always a cool moment when you see one of those monsters come up on the line.
So, if you’re planning on heading out to Monterey Bay anytime soon, I highly recommend giving the squid a try. It can be a bit of work, especially if the wind picks up like it did for us, but when they’re biting, it’s totally worth it.
That wraps up another day on the water. If you’re looking for tips on how to gear up for squid fishing or want to know more about where we were, check out our full guide. Until next time, tight lines!
