Squid Fishing - Martinetti & Coleman Squid Jigs, Stinger & Spoons

Jigs chosen by anglers, for anglers

Sharnbrook Tackle has been supplying anglers since the 1970s, when founder David Watts — then serving in the military — began sharing his passion for fishing with fellow service personnel. That same eye for tackle that actually works shapes every stocking decision we make today.

Squid fishing has grown steadily in the UK over the last decade, and for good reason. Common squid and cuttlefish are widespread around our coastline from late summer into winter, accessible to anglers fishing from piers, harbour walls, rock marks, and boats. The method is simple and deeply satisfying — but choosing the right jig, colour, and size for the conditions separates an active rod tip from a blank session.

Every squid jig in our range has been selected because it works in real fishing conditions. We stock the Martinetti range, sourced through Coleman's (Colman's) Fishing Supply — a trusted manufacturer whose products compare directly with better-known Japanese brands at a fraction of the price — alongside our own SBK attractors and accessories designed to complement any squid jig setup.

The Martinetti & Coleman squid jig range

Luminous prawn jigs — the core of any squid jig box

The Martinetti prawn-style jigs are the heart of this collection and the first thing any serious squid angler should reach for. These are cloth-covered, luminous-bodied jigs with stainless steel squid hooks, available in multiple colours and sizes — built to the same standard as the Yamashita and Yo-Zuri jigs you'll see reviewed in fishing magazines, but priced considerably more honestly.

Tiger Prawn 3.0 — 110mm (£3.60) is the benchmark model in the range. The cloth-covered body has a luminous finish throughout — luminous body, luminous tail, luminous nose, and luminous eyes — meaning it performs equally well in daylight and after dark. The hooks are stainless steel and needle sharp. Available in MultiColour, Orange, Green, Pink, and Blue — it's worth picking up several. Squid are notoriously colour-dependent, and a colour they ignored at dusk may be the one they can't leave alone an hour later.

Prawn FL 3.0 (£3.60) sits alongside the Tiger Prawn as a reliable floater-style jig in the Martinetti range. The FL designation refers to its buoyancy behaviour on the drop — useful when fishing at varying depths or working the jig on a sink-and-draw retrieve.

Pirannah Squid Jig — 2.5 & 3.0 (£3.00) offers the same luminous prawn profile in two sizes, making it a strong choice for mixed sessions where squid of different sizes may be present. The body is fully luminous and cloth-wrapped with a luminous tail and luminous nose. The size 3.0 measures 4.5 inches (115mm) — a versatile all-round length that covers most UK squid fishing situations. Available in Orange Stripe (size 3.0), Blue Stripe (size 2.5), and Orange Stripe (size 2.5).

For all luminous jigs, the technique is straightforward: charge the jig under a torch or light source for a couple of minutes before lowering it down, and you'll find squid are drawn to it almost immediately in low-light conditions. Carry a small UV torch specifically for this purpose — it makes a meaningful difference.

Lazer Prawn — the reflective spoon finish option

The Lazer Prawn 2.0 (£3.00) takes a different approach to attraction. Rather than relying purely on luminosity, the Lazer Prawn features a highly reflective laser finish across the body that catches and scatters available light — effective in daylight and during dawn and dusk transitions when a flashing, metallic-style profile often outfishes a straight luminous jig.

At 3.0 inches (75mm) from nose to hook, it is a compact jig with a quality swivel at the nose and two sets of needle-sharp stainless steel hooks. The glow-in-dark belly and eyes mean it remains fishable into low-light conditions as well. Available in Green/Silver, Multi Gold Silver, and Orange Silver. A quality swivel at the nose eliminates line twist — a small detail that matters during a long evening session.

These are comparable to the Yo-Zuri Ultra range in design and finish, but arrive in your tackle box at a significantly lower price.

Big Eye Slayer — the stinger jig

The Big Eye Slayer Squid Jig — 2.5 (£4.50) represents the newest model in the Martinetti range and takes a different design philosophy from the prawn-style jigs. Where the prawn models imitate a natural crustacean, the Big Eye Slayer is an aggressive-profile stinger-style jig built around 3D live eyes, a luminous body, and two especially long stainless steel hooks — one of the most effective trigger points for squid that strike short on conventional jigs.

Natural buoyancy and water pressure resistance make this jig work properly throughout the water column, not just on the surface. Available in Blue, Pink, Green, Orange, and Multi-coloured. If you've been blanking on standard prawn jigs, swapping to a Big Eye Slayer — particularly in Pink or Multi on pressured marks — is often the change that gets you back on fish.

Angel Prism jigs — a completely different approach

The Angel Prism Squid Jigs (£2.28) don't fit neatly into either the prawn or stinger category. Their clear acrylic body features six flat angled sides, each reflecting light in a different direction, with a reflective luminescent centre piece that glows after light exposure. At 3 7/8 inches (97mm), they carry their own weight without additional ballast, and the needle-sharp stainless steel hooks are built to the same standard as the rest of the Martinetti range.

Available in Blue, Green, Pink, Yellow, and Crystal. These work particularly well on squid that have become accustomed to cloth-covered prawn jigs — the fundamentally different profile and light-scattering body can provoke reaction bites from fish that aren't responding to anything else in the box. Keep a couple in your kit bag as a change option.

Jumbo Commercial Squid Jig — when you're after something bigger

The Jumbo Commercial Squid Jig (£10.20) is an entirely different proposition. At 8 inches (21cm) in length, this is a commercial-style Humboldt squid jig with three sets of extra-large hooks — each measuring 1 3/8 inches in diameter and carrying fourteen needle-sharp 7/8-inch spikes. The body is fully luminous white.

In UK waters, the primary application is targeting larger squid and cuttlefish from deep-water boat marks in the North Sea and North Atlantic. If you're heading offshore and expecting big fish, this jig earns its place in the bag.

Light up your rig — squid fishing attractors

Squid are strongly attracted to light. Adding a dedicated attractor light above your jig can make a significant difference to both the number of takes and the distance at which squid are drawn to your setup — particularly when fishing from a pier, harbour wall, or boat in the dark.

The SquidLureLite — SBK.LL1 (£3.00) is a compact pulsing and flashing attractor light — 7cm long, 2cm diameter, in blue — with swivels top and bottom to prevent line twist. It comes with batteries fitted and will run for a full night's fishing before a change is needed. Straightforward, reliable, and great value.

For those who want more control over their light setup, the Squid Light Multi Function — 14003 (£10.20) steps things up considerably. It offers twelve different light functions that cycle each time you switch the unit off and on: constant blue, slow flash blue, fast flash blue, multi-colour, red, green, and more. Measuring 4 inches in length and running on a 3-watch-battery pack (included), it gives you genuine flexibility to adapt your attractor light to changing conditions throughout a session. Replacement battery packs are available separately.

Matching the jig to the conditions

Squid fishing rewards anglers who are willing to experiment. A few practical pointers that hold up in most UK squid fishing situations:

• Carry a variety of colours. Squid switch preferences depending on water clarity, light levels, and time of day. What works at dusk may be ignored completely an hour later. A mix of natural (orange, green) and brighter options (pink, multi) covers most scenarios.
• Charge luminous jigs thoroughly. A 2–3 minute charge under a good torch — or a UV torch specifically — makes the jig far more effective in low-light and after-dark conditions.
• Work the jig actively. Squid respond to an erratic, darting action — not a static bait. A sharp lift of the rod tip followed by a controlled drop on a slack line is the basis of most effective squid jigging technique.
• Fish the last two hours of daylight and the first two hours of dark. These transition periods consistently produce the most takes on most marks.
• Match the jig size to the squid present. Early in the season or on mixed-size marks, a smaller 2.5-size jig often outfishes a 3.0. As fish size increases later in winter, step up accordingly.

Baited squid jigs

If you prefer to fish with bait rather than a pure lure, Baited Squid Jigs (£4.20) combine a traditional jig-style frame with a bait-holding section — giving you the hook arrangement of a squid jig alongside the scent and texture of natural bait. These are particularly effective on cautious or pressured fish and work well on cuttlefish, which tend to be more selective than squid. Check availability before ordering, as stock is subject to demand.

Trusted tackle, honest advice

We stock Martinetti squid jigs because they work — in the North Atlantic, the North Sea, along harbour walls, and off rock marks. They have been used commercially and recreationally across the world for decades and, critically, they are built to a standard that competes with far more expensive Japanese alternatives without the premium price tag. Don't be tempted by cheaper imitations: the Martinetti range is already well priced, and the quality difference between a genuine Martinetti jig and a budget copy will be obvious the first time you fish one.

If you're after advice on squid fishing tackle specific to your local area, your target species, or the marks you fish, get in touch. No jargon, no upselling — just straightforward guidance from people who have been fishing and stocking tackle since the 1970s.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best squid jig for UK waters?

There is no single answer — different conditions call for different jigs. As a starting point, the Tiger Prawn 3.0 in a mixed selection of colours covers most UK squid and cuttlefish fishing situations. Add a Lazer Prawn in Orange Silver for daylight and dusk work, a Big Eye Slayer in Pink or Multi for a change option, and a couple of Angel Prism jigs as a curve ball on pressured marks. A varied selection consistently outperforms a box full of identical jigs.

What size squid jig should I use?

Squid jig sizes are measured on a Japanese-style numbering system. Size 2.5 (roughly 85–90mm) is a good all-round choice for smaller or more finicky squid. Size 3.0 (around 110–115mm) covers most UK fishing situations and is the most commonly used size. For bigger cuttlefish and squid on boat marks, the Jumbo Commercial Jig at 21cm is in a different league altogether.

What time of year is best for squid fishing in the UK?

Common squid and cuttlefish are most reliably caught from late summer (August–September) through to late winter (January–February), with October, November, and December often the most productive months. Squid tend to move inshore as water temperatures drop, making harbour walls, piers, and rock marks increasingly productive through the autumn. Night sessions — particularly around high tide — consistently produce the best results.

Do I need specialist gear to fish squid jigs?

Squid jigging is accessible with relatively modest tackle. A light to medium LRF or spinning rod in the 6–8ft range, rated from around 5–20g, matches the weight of most Martinetti jigs well. Pair it with a fixed-spool reel loaded with braid mainline (10–15lb) and a short fluorocarbon leader. Braid gives you the sensitivity to feel squid gripping the jig before the strike — monofilament makes this far harder to detect.

Should I fish squid jigs with a light attractor?

In most situations, yes — particularly after dark. Adding a SquidLureLite or Squid Light Multi Function above your jig increases the visual range at which squid are drawn to your setup and can make a material difference on nights when fish are not actively on the feed. The flashing and pulsing modes on the multi-function light tend to outperform constant-on modes in our experience, particularly in deeper water.

Are Martinetti jigs comparable to Yamashita or Yo-Zuri?

They are directly comparable in design and performance. The Martinetti range uses cloth-covered luminous bodies, stainless steel hooks, and the same weight and buoyancy engineering as the Japanese brands. Multiple independent anglers and commercial operators across the world have used them to catch squid alongside — and in place of — Yamashita and Yo-Zuri jigs. The primary difference is the price, which is considerably more in Martinetti's favour.

Ready to set up for squid?

Whether you're heading out for your first squid fishing session or looking to stock up on proven jigs for a winter run of cuttlefish, our range has everything you need. Browse the full collection or get in touch if you'd like a recommendation for your specific marks and conditions.