The Squid Season

Like the squid season of Terengganu on the east coast of the peninsula when the seas squid in scoop (sauk) would light up with the lights from hundreds of fishermen doing their squid fishing along the coast, Langkawi has its time, too.

About the end of each year between late November and February, a similar activity goes full swing in Langkawi, especially along its western coastline. However, unlike their counterparts in the east coast who use hook and line (jigging), the Langkawi squid fishing method is by using scooping nets - a method which was kept a trade secret until quite recently. So popular is this seasonal activity that it has taken a festival-like air each time as the Langkawi Squid Challenge makes this traditional fishing pursuit a fun proposition.

According to the fishermen, squid scooping is best done during a calm, dark and moonless night. Rough seas can result in strong currents that will keep the squids from surfacing. Hurricane lamps or even battery-operated fluorescent lamps are used to draw the squids to the surface. On a good night the lights can attract more than 100kg of squids within a short span of time.

Upon reaching a suitable spot, the task begins by landing the initial catch. The first squid caught will then be used as a decoy to attract the others from deep below the surface to the lights. You can try your hands at squid scooping by taking out a package from one of the many tour operators in Langkawi.