On a recent stay at Punta Chivato we found a big humboldt squid alive in the shallows. A mexican fisherman was nearby and he seemed thouroughly underwhelmed by the thing. He said they used them for bait when asked about eating them he was not enthusiastic. I had dreams of yummie breaded calamari steaks and after the fisherman dispatched the squid I cut a nice steak off. We breaded and fried it up and man it was vile. Salty enough that I still can't whistle a month later. Is there a trick to preparing these things or is this a different critter from the ones that yield the big steaks we see in the markets at home? We have found them before and I saw on another Baja web sight a boat load of them.

Giant Squid from the San Lucas area are fine if caught fresh - laid our on a smooth surface
the mantel removed - the body cleaned and the
thin membrane removed..chilled - saute with
butter, garlic & white wine (best ask a local
about the membrane..critical to do it right!!
Good luck (only fresh..none left laying about)

I think those things die after spawning but I could be wrong about that. There are times when huge numbers of dead ones wash up on Isla Coronado just north of Loreto. I think eating the one you described would be like eating an old spawner salmon floating in a back eddy. Sometimes you can buy them from the commercial guys at San Lucas cove. I think I remember getting some in later march. The fishermen fish all night and come in early in the morning. You can also fish for them off of Loreto with Squid Jigs or regular Iron Jigs. I've caught them in June. They are quite strong and fight hard. But beware they have a nasy beak and can give a pretty good bite. I think they range up to about 50 pounds!!!I've caught them when their stomachs were full of perfect dice sized pieces of other squids. They make great bait and are tasty.
RN