Spear squid is a summer‑night species. According to near‑shore resource data compiled by the National Institute of Fisheries Science, spear squid (Uroteuthis edulis) begins to aggregate along the South Sea and East Sea coasts from early summer as water temperatures rise. The season typically starts in June and peaks in August
01reaches its peak, and continues into the fall. June is the starting line. And, like hairtail, the success of a spear squid outing hinges on how the night is utilized.
Where — spear squid regions and two approaches Spear squid is widely distributed around Jeju, as well as Geoje, Tongyeong, Yeosu, and the South Sea coast and the southern East Sea are broadly distributed. Selecting a spot is more about 'how to get in' than 'where''how to enter'
Broad exploration / stock Walking uses light gear and is easy to enter, but the spot is fixed. Boat tip‑run lets the vessel ride wind and current over a wide area, which is advantageous for locating fish schools. For a first June outing start with an accessible breakwater walk
02to get a feel, then expanding to boat is a smooth progression.
When — night, and fishing light Spear squid is a nocturnal species. It has a strong tendency to gather around light, so fishing light turning on the fishing light and waiting for fish to congregate around it is the basic strategy. Bites occur from just after sunset to midnight
Calm period · sporadic bites The fishing light draws fish with light, but spear squid usually stays not in the bright center but at the boundary between light and darkness (the contrast line).
Spear squid 'gathers light and hides in darkness'. If the fishing light is on, aim for the edge rather than the brightest spot.
03How — three techniques
Spear squid fishing techniques are broadly three. They target the same species but differ in approach, so choose according to spot and gear.
Spinning vs bait
Walking eg-ing is Spinning This is the standard. Light and good for casting distance, widely used on rocky shore/breakwater. For boat tip run or near‑vertical operation Bait (janggutong) The combination shows strength in line management and direct bite transmission. If you are new to walking, start with spinning; if you mainly fish from a boat, prioritize bait.
Tackle specs
Egger color
- Glow (glow): Basic for night/fishing‑light conditions. Charge it with a flashlight before casting to make it glow.
- Keimura (UV‑glow): Use as a replacement card when light is weak or bites are tricky at the light‑shadow edge.
- Natural·pink series: Change it when the fishing light is sufficiently spread but response drops.
Operation sequence
- Set the spot before sunset and set the fishing light — the fish school needs time to gather.
- Cast the egger along the outer edge·light‑shadow boundary or let it drift.
- Give the pole (sinking) section enough time, focus on the subtle weight change while sinking— bites usually come from the pole.
- Spear squid often clamp onto the egger as if embracing it, so rather than a sharp 'tap' signal a dull, heavyening feeling is where you hookset.
04First June outing, the three most common mistakes
- Target only the center of the light — Spear squid stay at the light‑shadow edge rather than the bright center. Throwing the egger into the brightest spot empties the outer area where the fish school actually is.
- Cut the pole too short — A large portion of bites occur while the lure is sinking. Allow sufficient pole time and read the weight change to the end.
- Rely solely on the fishing light.— The light does attract fish schools, but they do not gather well where the current is dead. Together with the light the spot where the current flows is observed together.
05a safe line
Since spear squid are a night‑and‑summer species, night work and heat We take two precautions. Night trips to rocky shores or breakwaters require a headlamp and a life jacket as basics, and solitary outings are avoided. In June, the South Sea begins to experience the monsoon front, so check the Korea Meteorological Administration marine weather data and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries tide tables before heading out. Postponing the trip on days with high wind speed or wave height is the principle.
June spear squid mark the "start of the season." Where you meet them, how you spend the night, and which spot of the light you target—these fundamentals set the rhythm for the entire summer.