Saltwater Nation anglers working waters along the northern shore of Massachusetts have been reporting seeing an increase in the numbers of longfin inshore squid (Doryteuthis pealeii), a species common to the North Atlantic and ranging from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Venezuela, though most abundant from Georges Bank to Cape Hatteras. There’s nothing unusual, that is, about finding the longfin inshore squid off of northern Massachusetts, but there is something unusual about the numbers of them anglers are reporting seeing.

Water temperatures have been warmer than usual off of northern Massachusetts this summer, and anglers speculate that these warmer waters are allowing the squid, which are usually more prominent in southern Massachusetts waters, to venture farther north this year.

Longfin squid have short life spans, usually living for only about a year. However, during that year they can grow to between 15 and 18 inches. This rapid growth requires large quantities of energy and the longfin inshore squid are voracious predators.

Of course, longfin squid are a favorite food of tuna, bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), stripers (Morone saxatilis), flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus), pollock (Pollachius pollachius), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), cod (Gadus morhua), mackerel (Scombridae), sea bass (Centropristis striata), and sharks. So, the big question of the waning fishing season in Massachusetts waters is will this end-of-season run on longfin inshore squid lead to a spectacular finale to the summers fishing. 

FISH ON!

 

Bluefish, Cod, fish, Fishing, Haddock, Massachusetts, Pollock, Squid, tuna

By Sid

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