How to Catch Quillfish

The tiny, eel-like quillfish live, though they are rarely seen, in the Pacific ocean along the coastal waters of British Columbia and Alaska. During the day, quillfish tend to burrow into the sand and mud on the ocean floor. At night, they swim to the surface toward the lights of fishing boats. One way to find the quillfish is to look in the belly of a larger species, such as a salmon that has made a meal of the elusive little fish, but there is a way to catch them if you make the right moves.

Things You'll Need

  • Boat
  • Fishing trap or basket
  • Chicken or crab meat
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Instructions

    • 1

      Go on the water at night and in a quiet boat, such as a row boat or canoe.

    • 2

      Bait a fishing trap or basket with small cubes of chicken or crab meat. This is the preferred bait of quillfish.

    • 3

      Lower the fishing trap or basket into the water 20 to 30 meters from the surface.

    • 4

      Reel in the trap at 30-minute intervals or more and check for quillfish catches. Change your location along the coast if you return traps three times without any catches.

    • 5

      Replace the chicken or crab meat bait if the original pieces of bait have been eaten or broken apart by the water.