UK Squid Season: When and Where to Catch Squid and Cuttlefish
In the UK, most squid are caught from the shore in autumn and early winter. The main season is October to December. Fish after dark from piers, breakwaters and harbour walls, mostly on the south and south-west coasts. Cuttlefish come into shallow water in spring. Most shore squid are 15 to 20 cm long, so a size 2.5 to 3.5 egi on light eging tackle is all you need.
In this guide
When is squid season in the UK?
Squid live around all UK coasts all year. You can reach them with a rod when they come close to the shore to feed.
For shore anglers, the main season is October to December. Angling Times reports that squid usually arrive around October and move off in December, but some anglers catch them outside those months. In the warmer south and south-west, British Sea Fishing says squid can be inshore from early summer to early winter.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| April to June | Cuttlefish move into shallow water to breed. Few squid from the shore. |
| July to September | Some squid inshore in the south and south-west. |
| October to December | The main shore season for squid. Fish calm nights after dark. |
| January to March | Squid can still turn up, but it is less reliable. |
Most squid from the shore are small. Angling Times puts the average at 15 to 20 cm. British Sea Fishing says the European squid seldom grows beyond 15 to 20 cm in mantle length.
Where to catch squid in the UK
Squid are far more common in the south and south-west of England. Parts of Wales and Ireland also see them, and there are smaller numbers further north.
Good marks have a decent depth of water within casting range:
- Piers, breakwaters and harbour walls. They give you deep water close in.
- Beaches next to deeper water. In the Angling Times report, most squid took the jig within 10 yards of the beach.
- Shallow bays. They can fish well too. Sea Angler describes Weymouth as a very shallow venue, and suggests faster-sinking jigs where the water is deeper.
Check access before you go. Some harbours and piers do not allow fishing, or close at night.
Tides, weather and light
Weather. Calm, settled seas give you the best chance. One angler told Angling Times: "To stand a good chance of catching them, you need settled conditions with a calm sea."
Time of day. Squid feed in shallow water at night, so fish from dusk into the dark.
Tide. A gentle run of tide can move your jig for you. Under a float, the tide alone can be enough. In a strong run, a slow-sinking egi is pushed up and away from the bottom, so change to a heavier or faster-sinking one.
Light. Some anglers fish where street or harbour lights shine on the water. British Sea Fishing notes that it is not clear how much light helps, and that some anglers catch fewer squid when they add a light to the jig. A glow egi is a simple thing to try.
Cuttlefish in spring
The common cuttlefish lives around all UK coasts, but it is more common on the south and west coasts. Adults move into shallow water in spring to breed. They live for about two years and usually die after breeding.
Spring is your best chance of a cuttlefish from the shore. Cuttlefish eat crabs and small fish, so work your egi slowly near the bottom. The same egi and tackle work for squid and cuttlefish.
Which egi size and colour?
Egi are sized by number. For UK shore squid, sizes 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 cover most nights. Start with a 3.0. Go down to a 2.5 in calm, shallow water, and up to a 3.5 in deeper water, wind or tide.
The sink rate matters as much as the size. These are Yamashita's own figures for the Egi-Oh K:
| Egi | Weight | Sink rate | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egi-Oh K 2.5 | 11 g | about 5 sec/m | Calm, shallow water |
| Egi-Oh K 3.0 | 16 g | about 3 sec/m | The all-round start |
| Egi-Oh K 3.5 | 22 g | about 3 sec/m | Deeper water, wind and tide |
| Egi-Oh K 3.5 S (shallow) | 20 g | about 6 sec/m | Shallow marks and weed |
| Egi-Oh K 3.5 SS (super shallow) | 19.5 g | about 8 sec/m | Very shallow water |
There is no single best colour. Yamashita sorts egi bodies into three types:
- Flashing bodies reflect light and suit a wide range of times and conditions.
- Glow bodies give off their own light, so they help at night, in low light and in coloured water.
- UV bodies glow under ultraviolet light, so they work best in daytime sun.
A simple plan is to carry three egi. Take a natural colour for clear water and an orange or pink for coloured water. For night, add a glow egi such as the Egi-Oh Live 3.0 Pink Glow. Sea Angler's writer likes a glow egi in size 3.0 or 3.5. If the bites stop, try another colour.
Rod, reel and line
Rod
An eging rod of about 8 ft to 8 ft 6 in is made for the job. Its crisp tip makes the egi dart, and its length helps you cast. Check the egi range printed on the rod. For example, the Shimano Salty Advance Eging S83ML is 2.51 m long and rated for egi 1.8 to 3.8. The S86M is 2.59 m long and rated for egi 2 to 4. See all eging rods.
To start, a light spinning rod will also do. British Sea Fishing says most squid anglers use a light, sensitive spinning rod that casts around 28 g.
Reel
A 2500 or C3000 size spinning reel balances an eging rod, for example the Daiwa Emeraldas RX LT2500 or the Shimano Sephia BB C3000S. Set the drag light. Squid have no hard mouth, and egi hooks usually have no barbs.
Line and leader
Use PE braid of 0.6 to 0.8. It has almost no stretch, so you feel the take and the egi darts on every jerk. Add a fluorocarbon leader of about 8 to 12 lb (2 to 3 in Japanese sizes), about one rod length long. For example, Duel Hardcore X8 Eging PE 0.8 with Sunline SaltiMate Egi Leader 3 (12 lb). See all PE braid and fluorocarbon line, and our guide to PE line ratings.
How to fish the egi
Cast, and let the egi sink close to the bottom. Lift it with two or three sharp jerks of the rod, then let it fall back on a slightly slack line. Watch the line, because squid often grab the egi as it sinks. When you feel weight, lift into it smoothly and keep a steady pull. Use a drop net from high walls, as squid often fall off at the surface. Our eging guide explains the jerk and pause in more detail.
Rules and safety
Rules on keeping squid and cuttlefish can differ by area. Check with your local Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) before you take any home. Keep only what you will use, and return small squid with care.
Night fishing on walls and rocks needs care. Fish with a friend, wear a lifejacket near deep water, and carry a head torch. In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Recommended tackle
Browse all squid jigs (egi), eging rods, PE braid and fluorocarbon line.
FAQ
When is squid season in the UK?
The main shore season is October to December, when squid come close inshore. From January to March they can still turn up, but it is less reliable. Fish after dark on calm nights.
Where can I catch squid from the shore in the UK?
From piers, breakwaters and harbour walls with deep water in casting range, mostly on the south and south-west coasts of England. Parts of Wales and Ireland also see squid.
What time of day is best for squid?
After dark. Squid feed in shallow water at night, so fish from dusk into the night, and pick a calm evening if you can.
What size egi should I use for UK squid?
Start with a size 3.0. Use a 2.5 in calm, shallow water and a 3.5 in deeper water, wind or tide. Most shore squid are 15 to 20 cm long.
What colour egi is best for squid?
There is no single best colour. Try a natural colour in clear water, orange or pink in coloured water, and a glow egi at night. If the bites stop, try another colour.
When can I catch cuttlefish in the UK?
In spring, when adults move into shallow water to breed. They are more common on the south and west coasts. Work an egi slowly near the bottom.
Do I need a special rod for squid?
No, but it helps. An eging rod of about 8 ft to 8 ft 6 in is made to work an egi. To start, a light spinning rod that casts around 28 g will do.
Is there a size limit for squid in the UK?
Rules can differ by area, so check with your local IFCA before you keep any. Return small squid with care, and keep only what you will use.
Sources
- Angling Times: Giant squid are invading UK shores (23 October 2025)
- Sea Angler: Battle of the Jigs
- British Sea Fishing: Lure fishing for squid
- The Wildlife Trusts: Common squid and Common cuttlefish
- Yamashita: Egi-Oh K, Egi-Oh K shallow types and egi body colours (in Japanese)
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency
