How to catch Small-spotted catshark
Scyliorhinus canicula (Linnaeus, 1758)
About Small-spotted catshark fishing
The lesser spotted dogfish is a small and slender coastal shark belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae. It features a blunt head, rough sandpaper-like skin, and a greyish-brown upper body marked with numerous dark spots, stretching up to one metre in total length. This demersal species inhabits continental shelves and uppermost slopes over sandy, gravelly, and muddy substrates across European waters, ranging from shallow coastal areas down deep into the sub-littoral zone. Operating primarily as a nocturnal predator, it rests in hiding places during daylight and actively hunts a wide variety of benthic invertebrates and small bony fishes after dark. While traditionally viewed as a nuisance catch by commercial and recreational sea anglers alike, it offers reliable sport for shore-based fishermen operating along rough ground and sandy beaches.
-
Difficulty
Medium
-
Average size
60 cm TL
-
Market value
Medium
-
Habitat
Saltwater
-
Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn
-
Also known as
Dogfish, Fay dog, Lesser spotted dogfish, Rough dog, Rough hound, Sandy dogfish
Dark spots
Color pattern with dark spots well-defined and spread on the entire dorsolateral surface.
Small-spotted catshark fishing facts
Characteristics
-
Typical size
60 cm TL (max 100 cm TL ) -
Typical weight
0.6 kg (max 3.7 kg ) -
Preferred temperature
7.2–16.2 °C -
Depth
10–780 m -
Longevity
12 years -
Body shape
Elongated -
Commercial?
-
Vulnerability score
58.6
Best hours
-
Active
Dawn
First light
-
Low
Morning
After sunrise
-
Low
Midday
High sun
-
Low
Afternoon
Late day
-
Active
Dusk
Last light
-
Peak
Night
After dark
When to fish for Small-spotted catshark
How to catch Small-spotted catshark
Tips for catching Small-spotted catshark
Targeting this small shark is most productive after sunset when the fish move closer inshore to forage actively over sandy and mixed rough grounds. Standard ledger rigs equipped with size one or two hooks baited with strips of mackerel, squid, or lugworm work exceptionally well to tempt their bottom-dwelling instincts. Fishing from deep-water rock marks, piers, or open surf beaches during the summer and autumn months yields the highest catch rates, as warmer water temperatures increase their feeding intensity. Keep your tackle simple with a sensitive quiver tip rod to register gentle bites, and allow the fish adequate time to take the bait before setting the hook firmly.
Other names for Small-spotted catshark
Local and alternate names anglers use for Small-spotted catshark.
-
Small-spotted cat shark
-
Smallspotted catshark
-
Sandy dogfish
-
Small spotted dog
-
Dogfish
-
Lesser spotted dogfish
-
Small-spotted catshark
-
Fay dog
-
Rough dog
-
Rough hound
-
Small-spotted dogfish
Best equipment to catch Small-spotted catshark
Compare fishing methods for Small-spotted catshark — sized kit for each technique.
Note: Typical fish is 0.6 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.
Bottom Fishing
Presenting bait or rigs on or near the lake or sea floor.
85% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
light · 2.1 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
2.5 kg · 0.16 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
4 kg · 0.2 mm · 80 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Hook
Circle hook
A circle hook turns in the mouth and usually finds the corner of the jaw. You do not strike hard — you come tight. It includes freshwater.
Sized for a typical fish
4
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Surfcasting
Long-range bait or lure casting from an open beach or surf.
75% Effectiveness
Rod
Surfcasting rod
A surfcasting rod is the long beach fishing rod for punching bait past the breakers. Length and a moderate-fast action load for distance.
Sized for a typical fish
medium-heavy · 3.6 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Moderate-fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Braided line
Braided fishing line is the thin, no-stretch main for long casts, jigging, and feeling every tick on the retrieve.
Sized for a typical fish
6 kg · 0.1 mm
- Visibility
- High
- Abrasion
- Low
- Stretch
- None
- Sink rate
- Floats
Leader
Shock leader
A shock leader is a thick mono or tapered section that takes the cast. Carp shock is heavy (around 0.65 to 0.75 mm), not thin fluorocarbon.
Sized for a typical fish
22.5 kg · 0.65 mm · 900 cm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Drift Fishing
Presenting bait or lures from a boat moving with wind or current, not under trolling speed.
65% Effectiveness
Rod
Boat rod
A boat rod is the short, stout fishing rod for work under the hull: bottom fishing, trolling, drift, and live bait in fresh or salt.
Sized for a typical fish
light · 1.68 m
- Reel seat
- Casting
- Form factor
- One-piece
- Action
- Moderate-fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Conventional reel
A conventional reel is the lever-drag boat fishing reel for trolling and bottom fishing.
Sized for a typical fish
10 · 4 kg drag
- Spool
- Revolving
- Mount
- Over
- Drag
- Lever
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Braided line
Braided fishing line is the thin, no-stretch main for long casts, jigging, and feeling every tick on the retrieve.
Sized for a typical fish
6 kg · 0.1 mm
- Visibility
- High
- Abrasion
- Low
- Stretch
- None
- Sink rate
- Floats
Hook
Circle hook
A circle hook turns in the mouth and usually finds the corner of the jaw. You do not strike hard — you come tight. It includes freshwater.
Sized for a typical fish
4
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Best lures and baits for Small-spotted catshark
Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.
01
Mackerel
- Bottom Fishing
- Surfcasting
- Drift Fishing
Distinctive wavy dorsal stripes provide high contrast and flash underwater.
02
Squid
- Bottom Fishing
- Surfcasting
- Drift Fishing
Elongated muscular body holds internal organs and secretes scent in the water.
03
Lugworm
- Bottom Fishing
- Surfcasting
Fleshy, segmented body provides substantial scent and natural appeal for bottom fish.
How Small-spotted catshark migrates — Inshore–offshore
Shifts between shallow inshore water and deeper offshore grounds with the season.
1 Warm months
Inshore
Stay close inshore through the warm months.
2 Cold months
Offshore
Move offshore into deeper water as it cools.
Hover or tap a number to read each stage.
Diet and behavior of Small-spotted catshark
-
Diet
Carnivore -
Feeds by
Hunts animals -
Hunts
Night -
Feeds over
Soft bottom -
Main prey
Baitfish · Bottom prey
Prey and predators of Small-spotted catshark
Prey is what Small-spotted catshark eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.
That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.
Prey
What it eats
Predators
What hunts it
Fish
Where Small-spotted catshark lives
Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.
10–780 m · usually 80–100 m
Where this species lives
Small-spotted catshark photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.
Where to fish for Small-spotted catshark
Mapped fishing spots where Small-spotted catshark is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.
