PLAYING CATCH UP WITH HOUNDS
A prolific species in UK waters has in recent years changed fishing on the other side of the North Sea
A UK accustomed to some exceptional fishing for smoothhounds, but it was only 10 years ago when a mysterious type of boat sport began near the Dutch coast. Since then these sharks have become a major shore angling species on our side of the North Sea. On the day I first fished for these sharks I caught four and was over the moon. Almost ten years later it is my favourite type of fishing, but these days it is from the shore.
Smoothhounds are a smaller variety of shark but without the teeth associated with their bigger cousins. Instead of teeth, they have hard bony plates to crush their prey.
ey have all characteristics of a shark but their food consists of crabs, hermit crabs, ragworms and other worm species, shrimps and shellfish.
Over those last 10 years the Dutch coast’s smoothhound population has grown quickly, as has its average length. In Holland, fish of a metre in length qualify for a North Sea giant badge. e official Dutch record is 144cm. Interestingly nearly all sharks are caught along the coast of the province of Zeeland. To either the south or north, there are hardly any catches.
Being bottom dwellers, smoothhounds are at home in shallow water from five to 100 metres.
ey seem to prefer a sandy seabed, but can appear over some rocky areas where they search for crabs.
Fishing at low tide from the beach is our best choice, because it enables casting into deeper water, while the sea defence embankments offer access to deeper water anyway so are fished from both high and low tide. Sunny days with calm water are better than rough days, with the season running from May to early October, after which they migrate to their winter grounds.
When the water gets to a temperature of 13°C in the spring we expect the first smoothhounds to arrive. As the water temperature increases, the larger fish will follow, including the pregnant females.
For many anglers it was a childhood dream to catch a smoothhound because fishing for them from the shore is incredibly exciting and really gives immense satisfaction. Of course you will have blank sessions, but on other days catching multiples of these sharks is a real possibility.
TACKLE & RIGS
Most current beach rods will suffice for this type of fishing and a solid reel with an efficient drag system is essential because a big fish is capable of taking many metres of line. I use a fixed-spool reel. For beach fishing, a monofilament line offers a bit of stretch. Be sure to use a shockleader, preferably one that is tapered.
Here in Holland, the best rig is usually either a fixed rig or a semi-sliding version. In both cases I use one hook. For the static rig, I use a Tronixpro Urfe clip attached on the end of my leader, with its swivel holding a hooklength of about 150cm. ese Urfe clips are designed to allow the use of extra-long traces below the lead weight. e lead weight is connected at the bottom of the Urfe clip. is way you will have a system that will make the hound hook itself due to the resistance of the grip weight.
When you get a bite, you are sure to notice it. Either your rod will be almost pulled from its stand or your line will go limp. Start retrieving immediately because there is no need to strike.
e only downside of this rig is that you cannot cast it very far. e other system is what we call the yo-yo rig, but you know as a pulley
Hermit crabs are a popular bait for hounds rig. e main body is at least 60lb line running through a pulley bead or swivel. A fluorocarbon hooklength is tied to the rig body using a swivel. It will cast much further because you can clip it behind your lead weight. e end result is nicely streamlined and when the sinker hits the water the hook will detach from the clip. e yo-yo is set up in such a way that the whole rig works as a lever when a fish takes the bait.
Both rigs have the advantage that the lead weight will be above the fish when the rig is being retrieved and, as a result, should not get snagged in weed or rocks.
My hooklengths are 0.50mm (20.4kg/45lb) fluorocarbon for beach fishing or 0.60mm (22.8kg/50lb) for places where there might be rocks. Hook size is determined by bait selection. When fishing with a ragworm or a small crab then a size 2 or 1 will suffice, but with a bigger crab or hermit crab I opt for a bigger hook, such as size 1/0 or 2/0, although in the UK I’ve noticed you use bigger hooks, such as Mustad Viking pattern in size 4/0.
BEST BAIT
ere are many types of bait for catching smoothhounds, such as king ragworms, crabs of 2-4cm, hermit crabs, squid and mackerel. Even a cocktail is an option.
It is important that the bait is secure on the hook. With the exception of ragworms, I bind my bait with elastic cotton. is is particularly important with crab baits. If your bait were to move and your hook point became concealed, you would miss the bite. Firmly attach a strip of mackerel, squid or a combination to a bait needle and then put it on the hook. If you are opting for a sizable chunk then be sure to use two hooks in a Pennell set-up.
Crab baits are more resistant to bait robbers than ragworms or strips of fish. Ragworms will often fall victim to crabs and shrimps, so check your bait often. Other fish like flounders, school bass and whiting may also be a nuisance when hound fishing. Having said that, you might get a bonus bigger fish, particularly a ray.
Hermit crabs can also be used when they are not frozen, but make sure that they a kept in a cool environment because they seem to spoil quickly. Fresh bait is always the best option.
FISH CARE
Smoothhounds are superb sport fish and, thankfully, not commercially interesting. Do not lift a fish from the water by its tail because gravity can cause internal damage if the internal organs move. For a photo, hold the fish by the tail while supporting the belly with your other hand. e unwritten rule is to return them to the water as quickly as possible.
A landing net and an unhooking mat are smart choices, especially if fishing on harder ground or rocks. ■