Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari Fishing: Newcastle & Lake Macquarie Guide

Peak season right now NSW: no min size · bag limit 20

Excellent eating. Target weed beds and lit areas at night. Arrow squid vs Calamari: Both caught here. Arrow have longer "wings". Both excellent eating - salt & pepper squid, calamari rings, or BBQ tubes. Clean by removing head, guts, and clear cartilage inside tube.

Sight Hunter: Hunt purely by sight - AVOID squid fishing after rain, wait for clear water
Best Spot Right Now
Best spot for Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari right now:Lee Wharftide + time + season alignedView spot guide →
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Where to Catch Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari

Newcastle

Lake Macquarie

Tackle & Setup

Rod & Reel

Rod 7-8ft light-medium spin, 2-4kg, moderate/parabolic action
Reel 2000-2500 size spin reel
Mainline 6-10lb braid (PE 0.6-0.8)
Why Parabolic (softer) rod action prevents tearing jig from squid's soft tentacles.

Leader

Material Fluorocarbon
Strength 6-10lb (3-5kg)
Length 1-1.5m
Why Invisible to squid in clear water. They have excellent eyesight.

Jig Recommendations

Name Colour Size Note
Yamashita Egi Sutte-R Pink, Natural Prawn, NIY 1.8-2.5 BCF stocks this. Lake squid grinders rate pink first and natural prawn second, with 1.8 the do-it-all lake size.
Shimano Sephia Flash Boost 10 exclusive colours 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 BCF stocks. Internal rattle + flash boost.
Daiwa Emeraldas Various 2.5-3.5 Popular range from BCF. New Amorous jointed design.
Yo-Zuri Aurie-Q Orange, Natural 2.5-3.0 Excellent sink rate and action.

Jig Size Guide

Guide 2.0-2.5 (calm, shallow, small squid), 3.0 (standard), 3.5 (deep, windy, big squid)
Sink Rate Shallow type = slow sink for weedy areas. Deep type = fast sink for current.
Tip Start with 3.0 natural colour and adjust based on conditions.

How to Catch Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari

Basic Squid Jig Setup

  1. Tie jig directly to leader with small loop knot (allows free movement)
  2. No swivel needed - direct connection is best
  3. Loop knot: Make small loop in leader, pass through jig eye, wrap tag 5x around loop, pull tight
  4. Alternatively use a small snap for quick jig changes

Technique

Basic
Cast over weed beds or toward structure, let jig sink (count to 10-15), then sharp upward jerk-jerk-pause. Let it sink again. Repeat. Squid grab on the sink.
Advanced
Work the light/shadow edge at night under wharf lights. Cast into darkness, work jig back through the lit zone. Squid ambush from shadows.
Retrieve
Jerk-jerk-pause. Two sharp rod lifts, then let jig flutter down 3-4 seconds. Most hits on the drop.
Presentation
Keep rod tip high after jerks - watch line for sideways movement (squid grabbing). Don't strike - just maintain pressure.

When to Fish

Best Dawn first light, dusk last light, night under lights
Tide Slack water or light current best - squid struggle in heavy flow
Clarity Clear water essential. Avoid after heavy rain.
Moon Dark nights with no moon = better night fishing

Pro Tips

  • Polarised sunglasses help spot squid during day - look for ink clouds (they've already jetted)
  • Night: Fish under wharf lights - Belmont Wharf is famous for this
  • No light = charge glow jig every 10 casts with torch or phone
  • Steady pressure when hooked - no sudden jerks or you'll tear tentacles
  • Ink spray is inevitable - wear dark clothes!
  • Keep catch in bucket with small amount of sea water, not directly on ice
  • Boat trick: drift a paternoster rig (jig on a short dropper above a small ball sinker) on a soft rod with mono - the stretch acts like a rubber band and pulls far fewer jigs than braid. Needs a breeze to move you; dead calm, work the jig by hand
  • A hooked squid often brings followers - wind it in slow and have a second jig ready to drop
  • Note the depth every squid comes from - they sit in a band on the day, and they roam the whole lake, not just the known marks

Best Time to Fish

Best Time of Day
Dawn (5-9am), Dusk (4-8pm), Night
Best Tide
High tide
Peak Season
December, January, February, March, April, September, October, November

Size & Bag Limits

Any size
No legal minimum length
20
Bag Limit / day
NSW DPI full regulations →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I catch Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie?

The best spots for Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari include Lee Wharf, Swansea Channel, Belmont Wharf, Wangi Wangi Point (Weed Beds). Peak season runs December to November. At Lee Wharf: Year-round, peak Oct-Apr. Key spots: Belmont Wharf (night), Wangi Wangi weed beds, Swansea Channel (dawn/dusk), Pelican Foreshore jetty.

What is the best time to catch Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari?

Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari fish best at Dawn (5-9am) and Dusk (4-8pm) and Night. Best tide: High tide. Peak season: December, January, February, March, April, September, October, November.

What bait and lures work best for Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari?

Top lures: Yamashita Egi Sutte-R, Shimano Sephia Flash Boost, Daiwa Emeraldas. Use a 7-8ft light-medium spin, 2-4kg, moderate/parabolic action.

When is Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari season in NSW?

Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari are in peak season around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie during December, January, February, March, April, September, October, November. Within the day they bite best at Dawn (5-9am) and Dusk (4-8pm) and Night. You can catch them at other times of year too, but those are the months they are most active.

What is the legal size and bag limit for Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari in NSW?

In NSW, the minimum legal size for Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari is None. The recreational bag limit is 20 per person. Rules change, so always check the current NSW DPI limits before you keep a fish.

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