Spurdog Fishing UK: How and Where to Catch Spurdog

How to identify a spurdog

A slender, grey to brownish-grey shark, often with small white spots on the back and sides, especially in younger fish, and a pale belly. The snout is pointed, the eyes are large and greenish. There is a strong, sharp spine in front of each of the two dorsal fins, and there is no anal fin. The skin is rough. Smoothhounds have no spines and have an anal fin. Tope have no spines, a larger first dorsal fin, and an anal fin. Lesser spotted dogfish are spotty brown with no spines and have an anal fin.

Where it lives

Spurdog live in moderately deep water over sand, mud and mixed ground, and move in large packs, often sorted by size and sex. Shore anglers catch them mostly from deep-water rock marks, steep beaches and piers with deep water close in. They are most often caught from the shore in western Scotland, Wales, the Irish Sea, Ireland and parts of south-west England, especially in autumn and winter.

What it eats and the best baits

Spurdog hunt fish such as herring, mackerel, whiting and sandeels, and also take squid and crustaceans. Mackerel and squid baits work because they match their natural food and give off strong scent. Spurdog often hunt in packs, so a scented bait can attract several fish to the area.

Mackerel
Squid
Herring
Mackerel and squid cocktail
Sandeel
Whiting

Best time of year

Jan – good
Feb – good
Mar – good
Apr – quieter
May – quieter
Jun – quieter
Jul – quieter
Aug – quieter
Sep – good
Oct – good
Nov – good
Dec – good

In season now. Typical best months for shore anglers in England and Wales. What's in season

How to catch spurdog

Use a 13–15ft beachcaster with 18–25lb line and a shockleader. A pulley rig or running leger with a heavy mono trace of 60–80lb or a short wire trace protects against the spurdog's sharp teeth and rough skin. Hooks of 3/0–5/0, circle hooks if possible, baited with mackerel, squid or a mackerel and squid cocktail work well. Use a 5–6oz lead to hold bottom in deep water. Fish from deep-water marks in autumn and winter, with evening and night often best, especially on flooding tides. Bites are firm pulls and rattles, often followed by a steady run. Spurdog fight hard, twisting and rolling, so keep steady pressure. They often come in packs, so if you catch one, more may follow.

Size and bag rules

Return alive — check current rules

We haven't confirmed a spurdog size or bag limit from an official source yet. Check: Northumberland IFCA, North Eastern IFCA, Eastern IFCA, Kent & Essex IFCA, Sussex IFCA, Southern IFCA, Devon & Severn IFCA, Cornwall IFCA, Isles of Scilly IFCA, North Western IFCA, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland.

Rules change, especially for bass: always check the official source before keeping a fish. All sea fishing rules

Handling and release

Spurdog have venomous spines in front of each dorsal fin that can cause painful wounds, so handle them very carefully. Hold them firmly behind the head, avoiding the spines, and wear gloves. Their skin is rough. Use long forceps to unhook and cut the trace close if the hook is deep. Spurdog are slow-growing and vulnerable, so always return them alive. Check the current rules for your area below.

Where to catch spurdog in the UK

We don't have venues confirmed for spurdog yet. Browse all venues.

Where to fish in the UK · Fishing conditions today

Tackle for spurdog

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Spurdog guides

Spurdog fishing questions

Can I keep a spurdog?

Spurdog should be returned alive. They are slow-growing, mature late and produce few young, so populations recover slowly. Recreational anglers treat them as catch and release. Check the current rules for your area below, and handle them carefully to ensure they survive release.

How do I tell a spurdog from a smoothhound?

Spurdog have a sharp spine in front of each dorsal fin and no anal fin. Smoothhounds have no spines and do have an anal fin. Starry smoothhounds can also have white spots, so look for the spines, and handle with care, as spurdog spines are venomous.

When and where can I catch spurdog from the shore?

Spurdog are most often caught from deep-water rock marks, steep beaches and piers in autumn and winter. Western Scotland, Wales, the Irish Sea and Ireland are good areas. Evening and night sessions on flooding tides give the best chances, as packs move inshore to feed.