Giant Squid Give Giant Opportunity to California Anglers

The winter season typically means slow business for California businesses that operate charter services for sport fisherman. In challenging economic times, one might expect that this particular season might otherwise be especially slow.

But this is not the case. Orange County docks and the businesses that operate there are witnessing a flurry of activity and barely enough boats and guides to keep up with the demand. Locals are counting the cash as well as their blessings, scratching their heads, and muttering: 'You have GOT to be squidding me!'

As reported by news outlets near (The Los Angeles Times and USA Today) and far (the UK's The Telegraph), reaches of the southern California coast have been besieged by astonishing numbers of giant squid, also known as Humboldt squid. The Washington Post reports that 400 of them have been landed by anglers who have caught word of their arrival, and have flocked to the area to take advantage of some of the most active fishing opportunities in a while.

This particular species of squid generally grows to 20 to 40 pounds, although several reports have come in from people who have landed larger ones weighing 60 pounds. Rarer examples weighing 100 pounds have been documented in other locations. The Humboldt squid uses a spray of ink to protect itself as several anglers have reportedly learned first hand. It is a notoriously aggressive animal and has been known to attack people, earning it the nickname diablos rojos (red devils) by Mexican anglers who have had extensive experience with the creature.

Mostly popular as a source of food along the European Mediterranean coast, the giant squid is starting to catch on in restaurants and fish markets in other parts of the world. We suspect that in southern California right now, one will not have to look very hard to find a great blue plate special on some very fresh, and very large calimari. And we're also wondering if the region's citrus farmers have been flooded with mysterious calls inquiring about the availability of any 50-pound lemons.

Illustration by Pierre Denys de Montfort via Wikimedia Commons