The technique in full
Eging is the technique of fishing for squid using dedicated artificial lures called egi, weighted, shrimp-shaped lures with a crown of barbless hooks at the rear that squid grab with their tentacles. It is a Japanese method that has spread across Europe's squid fisheries and is now producing results on the Irish east coast.
The technique is learnable in a single session, there are no long casts required, no complex rigs, and the tackle is cheap. What it requires is patience with the sink-and-detect phase and the discipline not to strike too hard when you feel a take.
Fish this spot
Greystones Harbour Pier
Full access, tides, species and safety notes for this mark on the Wicklow coast.
Open spot guide →How squid take an egi
A squid's primary attack strategy is the ambush, it waits for prey to appear and then jets forward to grab it with its tentacles. An egi imitates a shrimp, and the dart motion triggers this hunting instinct. Crucially, a squid grabs the egi, it does not bite. The barbless hooks on the crown catch the tentacles during the grab. A sharp upward strike causes the squid to eject the egi immediately, the hooks need to remain embedded through slow, steady winding pressure.
The four phases
1, Cast and count
Cast the egi across or slightly downtide. Close the bail arm immediately and count as it sinks. A size 2.5 sinks at roughly 1 metre per 3 seconds in still water, faster in tidal flow. The count is critical, when you get a take, reproduce the exact sink time on every subsequent cast until the bite stops.
2, The dart
Once at depth, lift the rod tip sharply upward once or twice, a controlled flick rather than a full sweep. This causes the egi to dart upward, imitating a startled shrimp. In active conditions, one sharp dart followed by a long sink produces the most takes. When squid are less interested, two or three smaller darts can provoke reluctant fish.
3, The sink
Immediately after the dart, drop the rod tip and allow the egi to sink on a semi-slack line. Watch the line where it enters the water, do not look away. A take feels like the line stopping when it should still be sinking, a slight tightening as if snagged on something light, or subtle added weight when you lift for the next dart. A tight line during the sink masks takes.
4, Landing
Lift the rod steadily and begin winding, do not jerk or sweep. Squid make short powerful runs near the surface, allow these on a light drag. The most common loss point is the final moment before landing when anglers pause and rod pressure drops. Keep the rod bent and swing or net in one smooth movement.
Managing depth across a session
On any given night, squid hold at a specific depth band that changes with the tide. On a flooding tide they often move shallower, retreating to mid-water as the tide turns. If bites stop at a count that was previously productive, vary the count by two or three seconds either side until you find them again.
The most common mistake of new egi anglers is fishing at the same depth all session. Active depth management, checking shallower and deeper when bites slow, is what keeps a good session going.
Position and light
For Irish pier fishing, position matters more than almost any other variable. Squid at Greystones Harbour follow whitebait that concentrate under the pier lights, fish as close to a working light as the pier allows. Cast into the lit zone or just beyond its edge. The contrast between lit and dark water is where squid hunt, they use the light to locate prey but attack from the darker water at the edges.
Egi selection
Size 2.5
Slower sink rate. Works better in shallow, well-lit water close to the pier wall.
Size 3.0
Reaches depth faster. Better in tidal flow or when squid are holding deeper.
Pink / orange
Most consistent performers at Greystones in both lit and semi-lit conditions.
Luminous egi
Charge with a torch for 10 seconds before each cast. Disproportionately effective in darker sections or when squid are unresponsive.
Carry at least three colours and rotate systematically. If a colour is not producing after 10 to 15 casts at the right depth, switch to the next one.
Full gear guide
For gear recommendations with product links, Wicklow-specific timing and location details, and cooking guidance, see the complete squid fishing in Wicklow guide.
Plan your next session
