Depending on the technique
To fish cephalopods from shore with floating jigs, there are two main techniques to use: drop-shot and classic linear. Of course, the classic jig is used with floating jigs that are slightly plunged to make them sink very slowly, but the principle of the action is similar. Linear fishing close to the surface is more suited to squid, while drop-shot fishing targets both cuttlefish and squid.
Effective floating jigs for squid are generally smaller than those for cuttlefish, which are particularly fond of very large prey. In fact, a small floating jig is harder to spot when it's close to the bottom, as it stands out much less from the environment than if it's in open water.
Jig shape
The shape of the floating jig is very important as it makes it easy to target one species or another. Thin, elongated profiles perfectly imitate prey such as anchovies or sardines, which squid love in winter.
On the other hand, jigs with a large profile are preferred when fishing close to the bottom, to imitate a rock fish, or at least a species that lives close to the bottom, such as a small sparid or squid for example. Belly jigs are also very effective for targeting cuttlefish, since this shape is visible from a distance when viewed from below or from a horizontal plane. Very thin jigs are obviously less visible, but have a much more imitative effect when in the middle of the water layer.
The color
The choice of jig color is quite simple, depending on the species you're targeting. To fish cuttlefish close to the bottom, we mainly look for a high contrast on the jig and in relation to the medium. On the jig, stripes and other patterns create a contrast between several colors at all times, regardless of the environment. The aim, however, is to stand out from the background by choosing colors as far removed from the water as possible, such as orange, pink or white.
Squid also react very well to these colors, but you can fish in open water with natural colors without any problem. You may also come across an octopus, which doesn't care much about color or shape, as long as the jig passes within its reach.
