Unwashes Squid.
UWS is used whole, on its own, set up on a pennal rig for presentation. It looks like the stuff you buy in 1lb boxes, but is not snow white. Here-in is the rub, unwashed squid is in its natural form as caught. The stuff you get in 1lb boxes has been bleached in a fresh water bath. In other words, the way we usualy use squid is not natural to the fish, the reason it is bleached, is for presentation for human consumption!
The bleaching seem to create the refreez pinking as well. I refreez any UWS that I come back with that I have kept in a cold box. Dont bother to try refreexing any that has been laying about on your bait board!!!
The final touch to presentation is a couple of 2\" slits in the body, this alows the gutt juces to escape, giving a better scent trail. I have tried head and gutts on their own, 2 or 3 knited on the trace, deadly on its day, but not as reliable generaly. Another cocktail that can work is lugworm and a head on the hook as a tip, again good on its day. Just 2 or 3 heads can work as well, this uses the heads that break off.
Some tackle shops seem to sell it, but you must ask, other wise you will be given the 1lb boxes. If its snow white, it aint\' \'unwashed squid\'. UWS has a creamy grey, natural colour, with the redish skin over.
I buy mine from a local fish wholesaler, there must be plenty in your part of the world. A 10kg box is £20, alow it to defrost for 8 hours at room temperature. It is then possible to break the block up and tease the squid apart and re bag into 1lb lots. Thats all I use in the winter, no digging, ordering or waste, go fishing at the drop of a hat, take advantage of weather windows and trips can be aranged and cancelled with no penalty!
CJS