Squid Jigging Carnival (Candat Sotong)

Squid Jigging Carnival (Candat Sotong) one of the famous activities in Terengganu. It is the time for the annual "squid jigging" season where the fluorescent lamps from a flotilla of fishing boats light up the sea, giving onlookers the impression of a floating carnival.

This "carnival" can be spotted at the waters off Pulau Redang, Pulau Kapas, Pulau Perhentian, Kemaman, Merchang, Marang, Kuala Terengganu and Batu Rakit. The fiesta begins just after sunset and continues until when the sun is about to rise where the "revellers", who are local fishermen and tourists, frequently hooked up generous kilogrammes of squid.

Squid-jigging is usually carried out when the moon is full as the squids are attracted to the moonlight and easily baited. It is because when the moon is full, the squids are attracted to the moonlight and like to move around in the water. These squids are usually fatter at this time. During the jigging time, we will shine the fluorescent lamp onto the sea surface. The jigger is usually thrown into the sea and when the instrument reaches the bottom, the jigging starts. We will pull and release the jigger in jerking motions so that it appears like a moving fish to bait the squids to the hooks. The best time to catch the squids is when the water currents are not too fast, or too slow.

The best time for squid-jigging is from April to June as the northeast monsoon winds over the South China Sea have abated. It is also the mating season for the squids. However the squid-jigging season may go on until August.

Visit Terengganu 2012