Smoothhound (Mustelus asterias)
UK Sea Fish Species Guide | Squids In! SEA BAITS
Smoothhounds are among the most exciting fish encountered by UK sea anglers. Known for their powerful runs, streamlined shark-like bodies and remarkable fighting ability, smoothhounds are a popular target from sandy beaches, shingle banks, estuaries and mixed-ground coastal marks.
Whether you’re hoping to catch your first smoothhound or targeting a larger double-figure specimen, understanding where these fish feed, when they move into shallow coastal waters and which natural baits work best can help you make the most of your fishing sessions.
How to Identify Smoothhound
Smoothhounds are sleek, muscular sharks with an elongated body, pointed snout and distinctive grey or brownish colouring.
Their most recognisable features include:
Two dorsal fins along the back, with the first dorsal fin larger than the second and neither possessing a spine.
Five gill slits on each side of the head, positioned just in front of the pectoral fins.
A long, streamlined body with powerful pectoral fins and an asymmetrical shark-like tail.
A pointed snout with a relatively small mouth positioned underneath the head.
Small, flattened crushing teeth, specially adapted for feeding on crabs, shellfish and other crustaceans.
Grey, brownish-grey or bronze colouring across the back, fading to a pale or creamy-white underside.
Small white spots scattered across the upper body, although these markings can be faint or completely absent.
Colour and markings vary between individual fish. Some smoothhounds display clearly visible white spots, while others appear almost completely plain.
Also known as
Smoothhound, smooth-hound, starry smoothhound, smooth dogfish, smut, gummy shark, hound
Smoothhounds can be confused with other small shark species, particularly spurdogs and tope. However, their flattened crushing teeth, lack of dorsal fin spines and characteristic body shape are useful identification features.
Although common smoothhounds and starry smoothhounds have historically been treated as separate species, research suggests that the vast majority of smoothhounds encountered around the British coastline are starry smoothhounds.
IUCN Status
An IUCN status is a standardized global rating that indicates how close an animal, plant, or fungus species is to extinction
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Near Threatened
IUCN Red List Conservation Status
Starry smoothhounds are classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, reflecting conservation concerns associated with fishing pressure and their biological characteristics.
Best Baits for Smoothhound Fishing
Smoothhounds are bottom-feeding predators that primarily hunt crabs, crustaceans, shellfish and other marine invertebrates.
Unlike many other shark species, smoothhounds have flattened teeth designed for crushing hard-shelled prey rather than tearing apart fish.
This feeding behaviour makes crab and other crustacean baits particularly effective when targeting smoothhounds.
Peeler crab is widely regarded as one of the best natural baits for smoothhound fishing.
Smoothhounds actively search the seabed for crabs, making peeler crab an excellent choice around sandy beaches, shingle banks and mixed-ground marks.
Fresh or frozen peeler crab can both be effective, particularly when presented securely on a strong hook.
Small hardback crabs are another excellent smoothhound bait, particularly when targeting larger specimens.
Smoothhounds possess powerful jaws and crushing teeth, allowing them to feed naturally on hard-shelled crabs.
Small whole crabs or appropriately prepared crab baits can provide a durable presentation that is particularly useful when nuisance fish are present.
Hermit crab is a highly effective natural bait for smoothhounds, particularly around coastal areas where these crustaceans are abundant.
Its natural scent and soft body make it attractive to feeding fish.
Hermit crab can be especially productive around shingle banks, sandy gullies and mixed seabeds.
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Spider peeler crab is one of the most effective baits for smoothhound fishing, particularly around UK coastlines, because it closely matches the crabs that smoothhounds naturally feed on.
Smoothhounds are powerful, bottom-feeding fish with specialised crushing teeth, perfectly adapted for eating crabs and other crustaceans.
Combining crab with another natural bait can produce an attractive presentation for smoothhounds.
Crab and squid cocktails are popular choices, providing a combination of natural scent, texture and durability.
These combinations can be particularly useful when fishing strong tides or when crabs and other small creatures are stripping softer baits.
Where to Catch Smoothhound in the UK
Smoothhounds are found around much of the British and Irish coastline, although their abundance varies considerably by region and season.
They are particularly associated with southern and western coastal waters, but can also be caught along eastern and northern parts of the UK.
Smoothhounds often move into shallower coastal waters during the warmer months, following food sources and favourable water temperatures.
Popular types of smoothhound fishing ground include:
Sandy beaches and shingle banks are among the most productive locations for smoothhound fishing.
These areas often support populations of crabs and other crustaceans, providing natural feeding grounds.
Smoothhounds frequently patrol gullies, sandbanks and changes in seabed depth while searching for food.
Areas containing a mixture of sand, gravel, shingle and scattered rocks can be excellent smoothhound marks.
These habitats provide shelter for crabs and other marine invertebrates.
Fishing along the boundaries between clean sand and rougher ground can be particularly productive.
Estuary mouths and tidal channels can attract smoothhounds during the warmer months.
Strong tidal movement can concentrate food around channels, sandbanks and areas of deeper water.
Smoothhounds may move through these areas as they search for crabs and other prey.
Piers and coastal structures can provide access to deeper water and productive feeding areas.
Marks overlooking sandy or mixed seabeds can be particularly effective, especially where tidal currents move food through the area.
Smoothhounds are also regularly targeted by boat anglers over sandy banks, gravel beds and mixed-ground areas.
Inshore banks containing large populations of crabs can hold feeding smoothhounds during the warmer months.
South West England: Devon, Cornwall and the Bristol Channel are well known for smoothhound fishing, particularly during late spring and summer.
South Wales: The Gower Peninsula, Swansea Bay and surrounding coastal areas offer productive beaches and mixed-ground marks.
Southern England: Hampshire, Dorset, Sussex and the Solent provide excellent smoothhound fishing opportunities.
East Anglia: Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk offer opportunities around sandy beaches, estuaries and tidal channels.
Yorkshire and the Humber: Smoothhounds can be encountered along suitable stretches of the Holderness coastline, Humber Estuary approaches and surrounding coastal waters during warmer months.
North West England: Morecambe Bay, the Lancashire coast and parts of the Irish Sea provide opportunities for smoothhound fishing.
Smoothhound Fishing Regulations in the UK
Smoothhounds are subject to fisheries management and conservation rules, although regulations can vary depending on the species, fishing location and local authority.
The UK Government’s published national minimum conservation reference size tables do not currently specify a general minimum size for starry smoothhound.
However, additional local minimum sizes, retention restrictions or conservation requirements may apply within inshore waters.
Some regional angling guidance recommends returning smoothhounds below 85 cm, while local rules should always be checked before fishing.
Before fishing, check the latest regulations for your location.
For current published reference sizes, visit the UK Government’s Minimum Conservation Reference Size Guidance.
Smoothhounds are popular catch-and-release fish, and careful handling is particularly important.
Support the fish’s body when lifting, avoid handling by the tail alone and minimise the amount of time spent out of the water.
Use suitable landing equipment and return fish promptly, especially during warm weather.
Best Time to Catch Smoothhound in the UK
For many UK shore anglers, smoothhound fishing is associated with late spring, summer and early autumn.
Their seasonal movements are strongly influenced by water temperature, food availability and local conditions.
Early autumn can still provide productive smoothhound fishing, particularly around southern and western UK coastal marks.
September often offers good opportunities while sea temperatures remain relatively warm.
As autumn progresses and water temperatures fall, smoothhounds generally become less common around many shallow shore marks.
Crab baits remain an excellent choice when fish are present.
Winter is generally the least productive period for smoothhound fishing from UK shores.
Many smoothhounds move away from shallow coastal feeding areas into deeper offshore waters as temperatures decline.
Although occasional fish may still be encountered, consistent shore fishing opportunities are usually limited.
Spring marks the beginning of the smoothhound fishing season around many UK coastal locations.
As sea temperatures rise, smoothhounds begin moving towards shallower feeding grounds.
April and May can provide the first consistent catches in some southern and western areas.
Peeler crab and other natural crab baits are particularly effective during this period.
Summer is widely regarded as the best time to target smoothhounds from UK shore marks.
Fish move into sandy beaches, shingle banks, estuaries and mixed-ground areas to feed.
June, July and August can all provide excellent fishing, with the precise peak varying according to location and conditions.
Strong tidal movement, warm water and productive crab-feeding grounds can combine to create excellent opportunities.
Peeler crab, hardback crab and hermit crab are among the most effective summer baits.
UK Shore Caught Record
Smoothhound
RECORD WEIGHT
23lb 2oz (10.49kg)
D. Carpenter
Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex
Year: 1972
Best Rigs for Smoothhound Fishing
Choosing the right rig is essential when targeting smoothhounds, as these powerful fish can make fast, determined runs once hooked.
Ground conditions, tidal strength, casting distance and bait presentation all influence rig selection.
Strong hooks, reliable knots, suitable hooklengths and properly adjusted reel drag are particularly important when targeting larger smoothhounds.
A pulley rig is an excellent choice for smoothhound fishing, particularly when using larger crab baits or fishing around mixed ground.
Its design helps lift the lead during retrieval, reducing the risk of snagging.
The pennel hook arrangement provides secure bait presentation and can be useful when fishing substantial crab or squid baits.
The running ledger is one of the most popular rigs for smoothhound fishing.
It allows a smoothhound to pick up the bait and move away while the line runs through the lead attachment.
This can be particularly effective over clean sandy ground, where fish may travel considerable distances while feeding.
A strong single hook and a suitable abrasion-resistant hooklength make this a simple and reliable setup.
Clipped-down rigs are ideal when additional casting distance is needed to reach offshore sandbanks, gullies or deeper feeding areas.
Securing the bait during the cast improves aerodynamics and helps protect softer crab baits.
A strong single-hook clipped-down rig is particularly suitable for smoothhound fishing on open beaches.
An up-and-over rig provides a longer hooklength while maintaining good casting performance.
This allows crab and other natural baits to move more naturally in the tidal flow.
It is particularly useful when targeting smoothhounds over clean sand, shingle or gently sloping seabeds.
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Interested in learning about other fish found around the British coastline?
Visit our UK Sea Fish Species Guide to discover identification tips, habitats, fishing seasons and recommended baits for other UK species.