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The Ultimate Guide to Fishing for Smoothhound in the UK

Best techniques, rigs, and baits for targeting smoothhounds from shore and boat

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Introduction

As water temperatures rise in spring, one of the hardest-fighting fish in UK waters starts to arrive along the South Coast — from the Bristol Channel to the Solent. Smoothhounds, true members of the shark family, have no sharp teeth, just powerful crab-crushing jaws. From the moment they pick up your bait, they’re pure power.

Big fish can reach 20lb+, while 10–15lb specimens are common. Even smaller fish pull far harder than you’d expect. Smoothhounds often travel in packs, and when a feeding group moves through, you can get that classic slack-line bite, sometimes charging toward the shore before taking off again.

At Solent Baits, we see it every season. As the water warms from April onwards, smoothhounds move in from deeper waters, hunting peeler crabs, hardback crabs, and prawns. Fresh bait is critical during these peak feeding Frenzy  periods.

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Where to Catch Smoothhound

Smoothhound can now be found along most of the UK coastline, but certain South Coast marks consistently produce great sport.

Bristol Channel

• Prime areas: Somerset coast and North Devon

• Features: Sandy and mixed ground, strong tidal flow

• Season: Fish start showing offshore in April

East Solent & South Coast

• East Solent beaches, Hampshire sandbanks, Chesil Beach

• Features: Sandbanks, gullies, estuary mouths

• Season: Late April to July, peak June–September

Other Notable UK Marks

• Lincolnshire coast, Essex, Kent

• Estuary mouths, channels, crab-rich sandy bays

What productive marks have in common:

• Sandy or mixed seabeds

• Strong tidal movement

• Established crab populations

• Gulleys, channels, or sandbanks

• Estuary influence or natural food movement

If crabs are present and the water is warming, smoothhounds won’t be far away.

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Understanding Smoothhound

Species in South UK waters:

• Common Smoothhound (Mustelus mustelus)

• Starry Smoothhound (Mustelus asterias)

Identification:

• No teeth — hard, crab-crushing jaws

• Slender, shark-like body

• Blunt snout

• Strong dorsal fins

• Powerful tail for long runs

They are built for speed and stamina, and they use both.

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Habitat & Behaviour

• Prefer sandy or mixed seabeds

• Patrol estuaries, surf beaches, sandbanks, and gullies

• Move inshore from early April to July

• Feed heavily on crabs and shellfish

Smoothhounds are highly mobile and often travel in small packs. From open beaches to deeper gullies and rough ground, if crabs are present, smoothhounds are usually nearby.

While waiting for hounds to feed, it’s common to encounter other species such as bass, rays, and even decent-sized congers, especially around estuaries and sandbanks.

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Season Calendar & Tide Guide (South UK)

Best tides:

• Rising tide — brings food inshore

• Change of tide — start or end of flood/fall triggers feeding

• Dawn & dusk — often produce confident bites

• Last 2 hours of flood — especially productive on surf beaches & estuary mouths

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Best Tackle

Rod & Reel

• Medium–heavy beachcaster (12–14ft)

• Strong boat rod for offshore fishing

• Smooth reel drag is essential

Line Setup

• 20–30lb mono or braid mainline

• 50–60lb shock leader

Hooks

• Circle hooks 2/0–4/0 — usually set themselves as the fish runs

• Normal hooks like wide Gape Manta extra 4/0 is my favourite
• Dongle rigs work well also

Rigs

• Pulley rig — standard UK smoothhound rig

  • Allows natural bait movement

  • Lifts fish clear of snags

• Pulley pennel — ideal for rough ground or larger baits

👉 Ray Fishing Rigs & Bait Combinations

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Best Baits

🦀 Crab Baits (Top Choice)

• Peeler crab (number one choice)

• Softback crab

• Hardback crab (slightly cracked for scent release)

• Bind claws and body tightly with bait elastic

Key Tip:
When buying peeler crabs, especially frozen, ask if they’re “ready to fish” — meaning the shell is lifting and the crab is almost falling out of its shell. This is when they release the most scent, juicing into the water and giving you a higher chance of success. At Solent Baits, all our peelers are prepared this way, whether fresh or frozen.

🦐 Alternative Baits

• Squid strips or heads

• Mackerel fillets

• King prawn

• Ragworm or lugworm

Cocktails work well if crab is scarce.

👉 Internal link: Fishing with Peeler Crab – Techniques & Tips
👉 Internal link: Best Bait for Solent Sea Fishing

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Fishing Techniques

Casting & Presentation

• Cast beyond the surf line when possible

• Set Your Drag is a absolute must or lost rods can occur

• Let bait settle fully on the seabed

• Maintain light tension on the line

• Usually the fish are coming into feed so a shorter cast is perfect

Bite Detection

• Tap gently at first, then confident run

• Slack-line bite occurs

• Don’t strike wildly — let the rod load and the  hook set

Playing & Landing

• Expect strong, sustained runs

• Keep rod tip high and use side strain

• Large landing net essential

• On beaches, use the surf to assist landings

• Ask a friend to help
• Quick picture and return safely and carefully

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Pro Tips for Success

✔ Fish Live Peeler  crab whenever possible
✔ Pre-order bait — top-quality peelers sell fast at Solent Baits
✔ Make sure peelers are “ready to fish” (shell lifting, scent active)
✔ Don’t overcast — accuracy beats distance
✔ Use strong leaders for abrasion resistance
✔ fish 1 rod when hounds are coming in thick and fast 
✔ Make sure you have the Best Baits available 
✔ Watch for bass, rays, and congers — they often patrol the same marks

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Conservation & Fish Care

Smoothhounds are powerful but need careful handling:

• Always support with two hands

• Never lift or carry by the tail

• Wet hands before touching

• Support under the belly

• Keep fish low to the ground

• Return carefully and confidently

Avoid dragging or holding vertically. Responsible handling protects future stocks.

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Final Thoughts

From the Bristol Channel to the Solent, smoothhound fishing delivers some of the hardest fights from shore or boat. Fish from a few pounds to doubles pushing 20lb are realistic.

With fresh, ready-to-fish peelers from Solent Baits, solid rigs, smart tide timing, and proper handling, you can consistently target one of the UK’s most addictive sportfish.

Master crab baits, fish smart, handle with care — and when that rod slams over and the line peels, you’ll know why smoothhounds are so addictive.

Ray Fishing Tips, Techniques & Best Baits