Smoothhound fishing in Ireland

What is a smoothhound?

Smoothhound arrive on Wicklow sandy beaches from late May, with the catchable window running May to October and peak sport from July to August. The smoothhound is one of Ireland's most exciting shore-caught shark species, a powerful, fast-running fish that strips line on first contact and tests tackle to its limits. Two species are caught on Irish shores: the Common Smoothhound and the Starry Smoothhound, distinguished by white spots on its back. Both fight identically, hard, fast and relentlessly.

Unlike tope, smoothhound have no cutting teeth, they feed on crabs and shellfish using crushing plates. This means no wire trace is required, which makes presenting a natural crab bait much easier. Shore catches from Wicklow regularly run to 6 to 8 kg, with double-figure fish taken from open beaches every season.

When do smoothhound arrive?

Smoothhound appear on the Wicklow coast in May as water temperatures begin to rise and move inshore following the peeler crab cycle. They are catchable from May to October, with July to August the peak months and fish present throughout the day and into the night. On Brittas Bay (open sand), evening flood through high is still the classic window. Silver Strand and the Greystones to Wicklow shingle belt (Kilcoole, Greystones South, Murrough) are usually written up ebb-weighted, especially after an easterly colours the water, still read the mark's spot page for Silver Strand's shallow high-water-close bass notes. Always read the mark's spot page before you default your session time.

Spring tides produce better fishing than neap tides, the greater tidal movement shifts more bait and keeps smoothhound actively feeding. Numbers hold into October on settled evenings, then ease as water cools.

Best Wicklow marks

Bait, crab is king

Fresh peeler crab is by far the best smoothhound bait and there is no close second. Smoothhound follow the tidal movement of peeler crabs, they are essentially hunting the crab beds. Fresh peeler dramatically outperforms frozen at every session.

Present a whole small crab or a large half crab on the hook. Thread the hook through the body of the crab and bind it securely to the hook and shank with elastic bait thread, smoothhound run hard and a poorly secured bait will be stripped without hooking the fish. Hermit crab and squid-and-crab cocktails are useful alternatives when peeler is scarce.

Tackle and rigs

A standard beachcaster of 12 to 13ft matched to a 6000 to 8000 size reel loaded with 20 to 30 lb monofilament or braid is the right setup. Smoothhound run hard and fast on first contact, a reel with a reliable drag is essential.

Playing and handling

Smoothhound take the bait and run immediately, don't strike too early. Let the fish move off with the bait for a few seconds before tightening into it. Once hooked they make powerful runs parallel to the shore and will test your drag. Keep steady pressure and don't rush the fight.

Smoothhound are a shark species under increasing pressure. Return all fish promptly, unhook in the water where possible, support the fish horizontally and lower it back gently. A well-handled smoothhound recovers quickly. They are poor eating and a far better resource in the water.