The reason I personally don’t use squid as a bait unless its the only thing I have on board is because I use circle hooks which makes it harder to get a good hook up rate with it being a softer bait, my hook up rate is far better with a tougher bait like a whole skippy or strip bait. I’ve caught 9 swords in 7 trips using the tougher baits this season but also lost 3 all of which have been using squid baits with circle hooks. The success rate using squid might be slightly better using j-hooks but I prefer circle hooks as there is a better chance of being able to release them at the boat, and my personal hook up rate is better using circles.
I know that there are studies that claim that broadbill mostly feed on squid but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best bait, from fish I have seen they have also had frost fish and other small fish inside them along with the squid.
It pays to try different baits to see what works for you, but in my experience I have found that squid isn’t my preferred bait.
– Luke Davey
