Free guide · 9 chapters · 10 min read

Catch more squid.
Start here.

Everything we've learned on the water since founding Inku in Melbourne in 2020 — where squid hold, when they feed, which jig to tie on, and how to rig it.

Start the guide Shop squid jigs
Squid fishing at dusk

The short version

Squidding cheat sheet

Where
1–6 m
Broken ground with sand holes and weed beds.
When
±30 min
Either side of the tide change, plus sunrise and sunset.
Jig size
2.5–4.0
The most versatile range — casts well, looks like a meal.
Setup
10–20 lb
Braid and leader on a 2500–3000 reel, jig on an Inku Clip.
Inku squid jigs in the carry case
01

Invest in quality jigs

A well-made jig sinks naturally, holds its glow longer and has hooks sharp enough to turn follows into hook-ups.

Inku jigs are designed and tested in Australian waters with premium components, across a wide range of colours, glow options and sizes.

Essential Series Flash Series Glow Rattle Series Kraken Slayer Series
02

Understand squid habitat

Learn to read the bottom and you'll find squid faster. They can be much deeper too, but this is where to start looking:

Broken ground
Mixed reef and rubble
Sand holes
Clear patches between weed
Weed beds
In 1–6 m of water
Pier over clear, shallow water

Pro tip

Polarised lenses cut the glare so you can see the weed edges.
Ours float if they go overboard.
Inku Polarised Sunglasses - Blue Mirror
Inku Polarised Sunglasses - Blue Mirror
$89.99
Inku Polarised Sunglasses - Green Mirror
Inku Polarised Sunglasses - Green Mirror
$89.99
03

Choose the right size & weight

Sizes 2.5 to 4.0 are the most common and versatile. They cast well and look like a substantial meal to a hungry squid — which is why every Inku jig sits in this range.

Go lighter for shallow weed and slower sink rates, and step up in size and weight to get down deeper or cast further.

2.5size
3.0size
3.5size
4.0size
04

Pick colours for the conditions

Dark and natural colours throw a strong silhouette in low light. Bright and transparent colours shine in clear water and sun. If squid are cautious or pressured, a darker jig can still win on a bright day.

Every Inku jig glows. Charge it with an Inku UV Torch for maximum visibility at night.
Start with the Essentials, then reach for a specialist series when conditions call for it — see below.
Colour picker
What's the light like today?

Go natural and dark for a strong silhouette and a subtle presence.

Inku Fire TigerFire TigerAll conditionsInku Night ShadeNight ShadeInku Red DevilRed DevilInku HunterHunterInku Rainbow MagicRainbow MagicInku Dark KnightDark KnightInku Gold RunnerGold Runner

All 12 Essential Series colours, in sizes 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5. Every one glows in the dark.

Shop all 12 colours

Specialist series

When the Essentials need backup

Each series is built for a job. Match it to the water in front of you.

Inku White FlashInku Green Flash

Inku série Flash

All-rounderSunny daysClear water
An internal mirror panel bounces sunlight and UV to pull squid in from all depths. A great all-rounder that really comes alive when the sun’s out.
Mirror panel · glow body · 2 colours
Shop Inku série Flash
Inku Dynawhite Glow RattleInku Dark Knight Glow Rattle

Inku série Flash

Murky waterDeep waterNight
A bright, fast-charging glow body plus an internal rattle for sound and vibration — draws squid in from further away when they can’t see far.
Size 3.0 · 17 g · 2.5 s/m sink · 2 colours
Shop Inku série Flash
Inku Red Devil – Kraken Slayer 4.0Inku Goldzilla – Kraken Slayer 4.0Inku Dynawhite – Kraken Slayer 4.0

Inku Série Kraken Slayer 4.0

Big squidDeeper water
Big 4.0 jigs built to target the biggest calamari, with premium reflective cloth and a quick, balanced sink.
Size 4.0 · 27 g · 2.2 s/m sink · 3 colours
Shop Inku Série Kraken Slayer 4.0
05

Switch things up with a float

Run a float out the back of a drifting boat or kayak, or cast one from shore, while you work your main jig. It covers more water and picks up squid that follow but won't commit — especially with a baited squid spike.

Bite gone quiet? Change jig colour or size. Squid often lock onto prey of a particular size, and a small change can turn interest into hook-ups.

The Ultimate Egi Setup
Inku Egi Float Premium rig diagram

Inku Egi Float Premium

$14.99
Reflective finish for underwater flash, a fluoro-orange top that makes strikes easy to see, and a built-in weight that keeps it upright.
How to rig — top to bottom
  1. Float stopper
  2. Hard bead
  3. Float
  4. Optional weight
  5. Soft bead
  6. Inku Clip
  7. Squid jig
Tip: When the float disappears or moves unnaturally — strike!
View Inku Egi Float Premium
Inku Egi Float rig diagram

Inku Egi Float

$10.99
Bright yellow body and orange top, weighted to sit upright. Made for suspending a jig while drifting or fishing sleeper-style.
How to rig — top to bottom
  1. Float stopper
  2. Hard bead
  3. Float
  4. Optional weight
  5. Soft bead
  6. Inku Clip
  7. Squid jig
Tip: Set the stopper to the depth the squid are holding.
Sold out — get notified
Inku Flutuar rig diagram

Inku Flutuar

$10.99
Weighted at 45 g for stability, fluoro orange top and bottom. Works with squid jigs or baited squid spikes.
How to rig — top to bottom
  1. Float stopper
  2. Hard bead
  3. Float
  4. Optional weight
  5. Soft bead
  6. Inku Clip
  7. Squid jig or bait spike
Tip: When the fluoro orange disappears, it's time to strike.
View Inku Flutuar
06

Fish the best conditions

Squid are usually most active in three windows. Clear water helps, but every Inku jig glows, so low-light, overcast and night sessions all fish well. In murky or deeper water, step up to the Glow Rattle Series for added sound and vibration.

Window 1

Sunrise

First light, as squid move up to feed.
Window 2

Tide change ±30 min

Half an hour either side of the turn.
Window 3

Sunset

Into dark — charge your glow.

After dark: Inku lighting

Inku Tocha UV
Inku Tocha UV$24.99
Recharge glow on the go
Compact 395 nm torch to top up your jig glow throughout a session.
Inku UV Torch Pro
Inku UV Torch Pro$69.99
Maximum glow in seconds
365 nm, rechargeable, with a zoom beam for boat, jetty and shore.
Inku Verde Claro
Inku Verde Claro$54.99
Draw bait and squid in
12V light that pulls baitfish and squid to your boat or jetty.
Inku Head Torch
Inku Head Torch$99.00
Hands-free at night
Rechargeable, with a red-light mode that won’t spook fish.
07

Pick your egi rod

Three lengths, one for every style of squidding.

Inku Egi Rod 5'0"

Inku Egi Rod 5'0"

$259.99
Egi floats · boat · kayak · jetty
Built for egi float fishing and close-range work from boats, kayaks and jetties.
Inku Egi Rod 7'2"

Inku Egi Rod 7'2"

$329.99
All-rounder · 2-piece
Excellent all-round versatility from the shore, a kayak or a boat.
Inku Egi Rod 8'3"

Inku Egi Rod 8'3"

$379.99
Land-based · max distance
Longer casts and better line control off beaches, rocks and jetties.

Complete the setup

Reel
2500–3000 spin
Main line
10–20 lb braid
Inku Premium Braid
Leader
10–20 lb
Inku Leader
Connection
Inku Clip
Swap jigs without retying
08

Keep your jigs organised

Less mess, no tangles, more time fishing.

Inku Squid Jig Carry Case

Inku Squid Jig Carry Case

$69.99
16
jigs, size 2.5–4.0
2
removable trays
Stealth black to hide ink, built-in drainage, corrosion-resistant hardware and an adjustable shoulder strap.
Details
Bandeja de Isca para Lula Inku

Bandeja de Isca para Lula Inku

$39.99
14
jigs, up to size 4.0
Lightweight, with drain holes for easy washing and drying and a tough carry handle.
Details
09

Catch. Clean. Cook.

Look after your catch from the water to the table.

Squid in the Inku Cooler Bag

Step 1 · Catch & store

Inku Cooler Bag $159.99

25 L
≈ 50 squid
24 h
ice cold
Waterproof sealed build, saltwater-safe stainless zips and hardware, and a black shell that hides ink. Doubles as a live bait bucket or drinks bag on long sessions.
Shop the Cooler Bag →
Inku Squid Cleaner Bag towed behind a boat

Step 2 · Drive & clean

Inku Squid Cleaner Bag $139.99

Tow it behind the boat and let the water do the work — squid and small fish like whiting come out clean in minutes. Commercial-grade tarred mesh, a floating EVA ring and 316 stainless swivels.
Shop the Cleaner Bag →
Crispy calamari

Step 3 · Cook & eat

Straight to the table

Clean, cold squid is ready for the pan with no fuss.

Ready to get inked?

Grab your jigs and get out there at the next tide change.

Shop all squid jigs Find a stockist

Check Today’s Squid Bite Times

Put this guide to work with the Inku Squid Forecast. Pick any pier, bay or beach and see the best bite windows for the next 7 days from sunrise and sunset, tide changes, moon phase, wind, swell and water temperature, plus the Inku jig colour and size to tie on.

When the big squid come in: in Western Port they push in from Bass Strait around May as the water cools to 13 to 15°C, and the big spawners return to the weed around Flinders in early spring. In Port Phillip they gather on the seagrass in the south and west of the bay from September to November, around Queenscliff, Lonsdale Bight, St Leonards and Swan Bay.

Open the Inku Squid ForecastShop the Kraken Slayer 4.0