Fishing for hounds from the bank
Ten years ago, when rumours of a starry smooth hound shark were circulating, I needed to know more. Most fishermen in the Netherlands had never heard of this species, and these rumours were unexpected for me too.
After a few phone calls I was on the boat where it started, the Big Marlin was shrouded in mystery. Only the skipper and his friends fished for this new species in our part of the Northsea.
That day I received text and explanation and managed to catch four smooth sharks, all on the ragworm. Since then, the smoothhound has a special place in my heart.
Today we are much further along in this fishery. The population has grown and in the south west of the Netherlands, fishing for smoothound has become a popular summer fishery. Both freshwater and saltwater anglers come to try their luck, because let’s be honest, even though these sharks are not aggressive or lash out with sharp teeth, a shark is a bit of a boyhood dream!
In ten years we have learned much more about spread, habitat, bait behavior and spawning grounds. We are also much further in the field of rigs, especially from the shore we have experimented a lot with various rigs. The three best catching rigs are now marketed. You can find them under the names:
- Specialist Clipped down Smooth-hound Rig #2
- Specialist Fluoro Smooth-hound Rig #3/0
- URFU Rig
All three of these rigs are of course made of the best Cox & Rawle components and hooks.
The Specialist Clipped down Smooth-hound Rig #2 Is a super sharp pennel setup. Ideal for large worm baits whilst clipped down for distance, sure to entice a large Smoothound or two!
Mainline: 80 lb
Hook snood: 40lb
Pennel hook: SCR44 Mutsu circle #2/0
Bait tip: soft baits such as ragworms and strips of mackerel or squid.
The Specialist Fluoro Smooth-hound Rig #3/0 is a simple pully rig using fluorcarbon to leave a natural looking bait when fishing at short distance!
Mainline: 80 lb fluorcarbon
Hook snood: 40lb fluorcarbon
Hook: Power fast baitholder #3/0
Bait tip: large ragworms, strips of fish, but also crabs or hermit crabs.
The URFU Rig is a well proven configuration, simply constructed and used extensively in Europe to present bait close tot he seabed.
Hook snood: 40lb fluorcarbon
The URFE rig is very good to use when the flow is moderate to weak.
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