I WAS slightly nonplussed to read in this book’s introduction:

“I don’t make any claims to be an expert.” Self deprecation can be an honourable trait, but I expect someone writing a how-to book to be a bit of an expert–like the middle star on a services review.

However, Quagliana is enough of an expert to convince me that he knows a great deal about catching squid and their cuttlefish cousins – certainly enough for me to want to try it.

The author makes his living as a trawlerman, an occupation that must give him a fine insight into the whereabouts and availability of the subject.

I had been told about squid fishing from Brighton Marina, the piers atWeymouth and Chesil Beach.Those are the venues that feature mostly in this book with several tactics, rig, bait and lure diagrams explained.Venues to the west of England also get mentions.

Catching squid on rod and line is possible on a fair proportion of the British coastline, though its popularity seems more common on the south coast.

Cuttlefish are not left out and there is advice on catching them too. Octopus are mentioned as potential but Paul confesses to never have attempted rod and line captures.

The book ends with several recipes, not only for the target species but also other creatures that you might catch such as spider crabs and mackerel.

Quagliana first thought about producing a squid pamphlet but found the subject so engaging it ended up as a book.While there is a bit of repetition, I’m inclined to agree with him.

Keith Arthur