With summer in full swing, smoothhound season is delivering some exciting sport for shore anglers up and down the coast. These sleek, hard-fighting members of the shark family are most active from late spring through to early autumn, with peak runs often coinciding with the warmer water temperatures of June and July. Smoothhounds favour shallow coastal waters with sandy or mixed ground, often patrolling areas where crabs and other crustaceans are plentiful. Fishing into a flooding or early ebb tide can be especially productive, and a slight chop on the sea tends to encourage them inshore without making conditions too uncomfortable for the angler.
Bait choice is critical—fresh peeler crab remains the undisputed king when it comes to tempting smoothhounds. If peelers are in short supply, we’ve got a great selection of alternative baits in stock, including frozen hermit crab, raw king prawn, and our latest arrival—frozen spider crab peelers. These offer excellent value for money, as they’re considerably larger than the average shore crab. A pulley pennel rig is a favourite among experienced hound hunters, allowing secure presentation of larger baits while providing the abrasion resistance needed when dealing with powerful runs. Casting distance depends on the venue; while some marks require a punch of 80–100 yards to find the fish, others will see smoothhounds feeding just beyond the breakers, especially during an evening flood. Use a sturdy surf rod paired with a smooth, high-capacity multiplier or fixed spool reel loaded with 15–20lb mainline and a strong shock leader. When that rod tip slams over and line starts peeling away, you’ll know exactly why smoothhounds are one of the UK’s most thrilling summer shore targets.
Along the Humber coastline, Bucks Beck Beach—better known to locals as Bonkers Bank—is proving a popular hotspot, and there have even been a few surprise smoothhound catches reported from the Stallingborough Wall.
