Species · Sea · Scyliorhinus canicula
Lesser Spotted Dogfish
The most common small shark in UK waters. Dogfish are nocturnal scavengers that arrive close inshore after dark to feed on anything they can find. Their rough, sandpaper-like skin requires heavy snoods.
Where and when
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Sandy and gravelly ground, mixed seabeds, close inshore at night |
| Best time | Night |
| Category | Coarse |
Baits and tactics
- Tactics: Beach leger, Pulley rig, Running leger
- Baits and flies: Mackerel strip, Squid, Fish offcuts, Sandeel
Tackle that suits
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Hooks | 1/0-3/0. Strong patterns. Wide gape or Viking pattern for fish baits |
| Mainline | 0.35mm. 15-18lb. Standard beach casting mono |
| Hooklength | 0.40-0.50mm. 12-18". Heavy mono snoods - their skin abrades lighter line |
| Shotting | 3-4oz leads on pulley rigs or running leger. Enough weight to hold bottom. |
| Field notes | Heavy mono snoods of 40-50lb are essential - their rough skin shreds light line; Oily fish baits like mackerel and herring work best as scent attractors; Fish from dusk onwards - they rarely feed during daylight hours; Pulley rigs lift the fish off the seabed on retrieve, reducing snags; They twist and roll when hooked - expect tangled rigs; Handle with a wet cloth to protect their skin and your hands |
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