All species
UK shore species
Starry smoothhound
Mustelus asterias
Also Smoothhound, Starry hound
BeginnerPopularNightledger
Habitat
Peeler-crab ground: mixed beaches, estuary edges, the clean side of rough.
Season
Peak: Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Also possible: May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
A summer shark of crab grounds — estuaries, mixed beaches and the edge of rough. They run like a tope in miniature and they crush peeler. The usual UK shore hound.
- White spots on a grey-brown back (starry)
- Blunt, rounded snout
- Pavement (crushing) teeth, not blades
- Two similar dorsals, the first larger
Shore fish 60–100 cm. A double-figure hound is a very good session.
- Colour
- Grey-brown with distinct white spots.
- Fins
- Two dorsals, first larger, tail notched.
- Mouth
- Blunt snout, crushing teeth.
Ranked for this species, not as a universal law. Local crab runs and what is actually fresh matter more.
- Peeler crabPeel it, leave the catch-legs if you like, bind it on a Pennel so it survives the cast. Half a crab for wrasse, a whole for a hound.Strong target
- Hardback crabCrush the carapace or hook through the edge so juices leak. Bind it.Good target
- SquidA strip on a flapper; a whole small squid or a wrap over fish on a Pennel.Possible target
- Pennel rigTwo hooks on one bait — one in the head, one in the body. The way to fish a crab, a squid wrap or a big worm.Intermediate
- Pulley PennelA pulley lead with a Pennel hook length. The standard ‘I mean this bait’ rig for a winter or a ray session.Intermediate
- Running ledgerThe lead slides on the line so a shy fish does not feel the weight. Simple and sensitive close in.Beginner
- Fish-finder rigA running lead on a zip-slider so a big bait sits away from the weight. The usual tope and big-ray running rig.Intermediate
Hooks: 2/0–4/0 Pennel.