South West Squid Fishing Guide

South West Squid Fishing Guide

Land a Feed, Avoid the Ink, and Fish Smart with Egi Gear That Works

From the calm waters off Busselton Jetty to the rocky ledges around Bunbury, squid fishing—also known as egi fishing—has cemented itself as a favourite among southwest anglers. It’s accessible, it’s productive, and the end result is a fresh feed that’s hard to beat.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up, this guide covers land-based and boat tactics, gear advice, squid handling, and cooking tips using products available right here at Whitey’s Tackle & Camping.

Land-Based Squidding: Busselton & Bunbury

Busselton Jetty is one of WA’s most iconic squid spots. With ample casting room and plenty of weed beds, it consistently produces squid—especially around dawn, dusk, and under the lights at night.

Closer to Bunbury, try the Back Beach rocks, Koombana Bay, and the Outer Harbour breakwalls. Look for calm, clear water and the weed-sand edges. Cast your jig parallel to the weed line and use a slow lift-drop retrieve with plenty of pauses.

When fishing from rock platforms or elevated structures like the jetty, a collapsible squid gaff is a smart addition. It allows you to safely land squid without over-stressing your rod or losing the catch at your feet.

Boat Squid Fishing: Drifting Geographe Bay

If you’re fishing from a boat, Geographe Bay offers excellent ground. Drift over 2 to 5 metre depths with broken weed and sand patches. Cast ahead of the boat, allow the jig to sink, and work it back slowly with subtle hops.

A Minn Kota electric motor is ideal for this style of fishing. It lets you silently hold position or control your drift with precision—perfect for staying on top of productive ground without spooking the squid. Minn Kota electric motors are available in-store at Whitey’s Tackle & Camping, and our team can help match the right model to your setup.

No electric? A drift sock is a good alternative for slowing your drift and keeping you in the zone longer.

To manage your catch cleanly, use a Hookem Scaler Bag—just drop your squid in and give it a few shakes to remove ink and prepare it for cleaning.

Dispatching Squid Humanely: Iki Jime

To preserve the quality of your catch, squid should be dispatched quickly and humanely. The Yamashita Iki Spike is a purpose-built tool for this job.

Insert the spike between the eyes and into the brain. The squid will instantly turn white, indicating a clean and humane iki jime. This improves eating quality and makes for cleaner handling and storage.

Egi Combos vs Light Spin Combos

Why Egi-Specific Tackle Matters

Egi rods are purpose-built for squid fishing. They’re lightweight, responsive, and have a soft, parabolic action that helps cast light jigs further, gives better control of jig movement, and keeps squid hooked during the fight.

In comparison, a standard light spin combo may work—but it’s not optimised. You’ll miss out on casting distance, feel, and hook-up rates, and you’ll likely lose more squid to pulled hooks due to stiffer rod actions.

Egi Rods Available at Whitey’s

  • Oceans Legacy Squid Seeker – High-performance design tailored for Australian conditions. Excellent casting ability, refined action, and premium components.
  • Shimano Sephia BB – Lightweight and extremely responsive, ideal for serious land-based or boat anglers.

Reels to Match

  • Shimano Vanford – Lightweight, smooth, and a favourite among egi anglers.
  • Daiwa Exceler LT – Affordable and well-balanced, great for entry-level setups.
  • Shimano Twin Power XD – Premium performance with saltwater resistance, ultra-smooth drag and a refined feel for working jigs precisely.

Choosing the Right Leader: Egi Fluorocarbon

Squid have excellent eyesight, and they're often caught in calm, clear water. Using an egi-specific fluorocarbon leader gives you a few important advantages:

  • Low visibility – Disappears in the water, which is critical when targeting wary squid in clear conditions.
  • Soft formulation – Provides better knot strength and jig action when tied directly or with clips.
  • Abrasion resistance – Withstands contact with reef and weed beds.
  • Low stretch – Improves sensitivity and helps detect subtle touches.

We recommend Shimano Egi Leader FC or Seaguar Battle Egi FC in the 8–12 lb range, matched with PE 0.6–0.8 braid.

Top Squid Jigs at Whitey’s Tackle & Camping

We carry a carefully curated selection of proven, premium squid jigs to suit all conditions.

  • Yamashita Egi OH Live & Search – Known for Warm Jacket material and innovative UV finishes. Search models include subtle rattles for murky water or low light.
  • Shimano Sephia jigs – These feature an internal reflective foil that continues to pulse even when the jig is paused. Ideal for pressured or shy squid.
  • Daiwa Emeraldas Amarous – Stable sink, lifelike motion and highly detailed finishes make this a go-to in clear, bright conditions.
  • Oceans Legacy Egi Jigs – Locally developed, balanced jigs with strong hooks and great darting action.
  • Haramitsu Jigs – Well-respected Japanese brand with a reputation for consistency and squid-catching effectiveness.

We recommend carrying a mix of colours and sink rates to suit varying light levels, water clarity and squid behaviour.

Cooking Your Catch: Easy, Tasty Squid Recipes

Squid is best eaten fresh, and quick cooking is the secret to tender results. Here are three popular and easy ways to serve your catch:

Salt & Pepper Squid with Fogdog Crumb

Beer-Battered Calamari

  • Mix Fogdog Golden Lager Batter with cold beer
  • Dip squid pieces and deep fry until crispy
  • Serve with chips and tartare for a pub-style meal

Garlic & Chilli BBQ Squid

  • Score the tubes and marinate with garlic, chilli and olive oil
  • Grill on high heat for about 1 minute per side
  • Garnish with lemon juice and herbs

Fogdog batter and crumb mixes are available in-store and on our website—they're easy to use and packed with flavour.

What You’ll Need: Recommended Gear at Whitey’s

  • Oceans Legacy Squid Seeker or Shimano Sephia BB Rod
  • Shimano Vanford or Twin Power XD Reel
  • Yamashita Egi OH, Shimano Sephia Clinch or Daiwa Amarous Jigs
  • Yamashita Iki Spike
  • Egi-Specific Fluorocarbon Leader (8–12 lb)
  • PE 0.6–0.8 Braid
  • Hookem Scaler Bag
  • Collapsible Squid Gaff
  • Minn Kota Electric Motor (for boats)
  • Fogdog Crumbs & Batters

Visit Whitey’s Tackle & Camping

Whether you're a jetty regular or a boat-based squidding pro, Whitey's has the gear, advice, and brands to help you succeed this squid season.

Come in and see the full range, chat to our staff about setups, or check out the latest in squid jigs and electric motors. Tight lines and happy squidding.

 

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