Below is a step-by-step to preparing a squid bait, along with two popular ways of presenting it - either whole or wrapped around a fresh sandeel...

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Cut the head from the body. Keep this and use ir for tipping later

Pull away the fins from both sides of the squid body.
Peel and remove the thin layer of skin, especially if it is a little pink. Carefully cut through one side of the body to open it up.
Remove and discard all the guts from the inside of the squid. The flat white meat can now be cut into many shapes for tipping.

 

 

Pennell Rigged Whole Squid

 

Keeping the squid whole, remove all the sking from the body.

Remove the plastic-like membrane from the body of the squid.
Thread the bottom Pennell hook through the top of the squid. Pass the hook through the body until it comes out of the bottom like this.
A good tip is to pierce the eyes to let out some of the juices. Now pass the hook through the head like this.
Take the top Pennell hook and pass it through the top of the squid. Leave it like this for short casting or add bait elastic for power casting.

 

 

Sandeel & Squid Wrap

 

Using a shrp pair of scissors, cut the head off the sandeel.

Do the same at the other end and remove the tail.
Cut a strip of squid similar in length to that of the sandeel. Hook the squid once and pass it over the eye of the hook.
Carefully thread the sandeel onto the hook tail first. Bring the squid and the sandeel together.
Now attach the squid strip to the bottom hook like this. Secure with bait elastic and you're left with a superb casting bait.