How to catch Starry smooth-hound
Mustelus asterias Cloquet, 1819
About Starry smooth-hound fishing
The starry smooth-hound is a slender demersal shark belonging to the houndshark family Triakidae, easily recognised by the distinct white spots scattered across its greyish-brown upper surface and pale belly. Growing up to a considerable length with a rounded snout and specialized flat crushing teeth, it inhabits shallow coastal waters down to substantial depths over sandy and gravelly seabeds. This species feeds primarily on benthic crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters, utilizing powerful jaws to crush hard shells. It is ovoviviparous, giving birth to small litters of active young after a period of gestation, and is highly valued by recreational sea anglers across European shelves for its incredible strength and fighting stamina.
-
Difficulty
Medium
-
Average size
85 cm
-
Market value
Medium
-
Habitat
Saltwater
-
Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn
-
Also known as
Smooth-hound, Starry smooth hound, Starry smoothhound, Starry smoothound, Stellate smooth-hound
White spots
Scattered small white spots along the back distinguish this hound shark.
Second dorsal fin
Large second dorsal fin helps identify smooth-hound species characteristics.
Starry smooth-hound fishing facts
Characteristics
-
Typical size
85 cm (max 154 cm TL ) -
Typical weight
1.2 kg (max 4.8 kg ) -
Preferred temperature
7–16.2 °C -
Depth
0–350 m -
Longevity
7.8 years -
Body shape
Elongated -
Commercial?
-
Vulnerability score
70.5
Best hours
-
Low
Dawn
First light
-
Peak
Morning
After sunrise
-
Active
Midday
High sun
-
Peak
Afternoon
Late day
-
Active
Dusk
Last light
-
Low
Night
After dark
When to fish for Starry smooth-hound
How to catch Starry smooth-hound
Tips for catching Starry smooth-hound
To target this hard-fighting houndshark successfully, focus your efforts on clean sandy ground, shallow banks, and strong tidal channels where natural crustacean populations thrive. The most effective presentation involves using heavy beachcasting or ledgering gear equipped with a sliding ledger or pulley rig to minimize resistance when the fish picks up the bait. Fresh peeler crab, softback crab, or squid presented on strong size two to four hook patterns will reliably tempt bites, especially during periods of increased tidal movement. Fishing through the warmer months from late spring into autumn yields the best results, with overcast conditions and peak daylight hours often triggering aggressive feeding behavior as they patrol close inshore.
Other names for Starry smooth-hound
Local and alternate names anglers use for Starry smooth-hound.
-
Starry smooth-hound
-
Stellate smooth-hound
-
Starry smoothound
-
Starry smoothhound
-
Starry smooth hound
-
Smooth-hound
Best equipment to catch Starry smooth-hound
Compare fishing methods for Starry smooth-hound — sized kit for each technique.
Note: Typical fish is 1.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.
Surfcasting
Long-range bait or lure casting from an open beach or surf.
90% 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
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
medium-light · 2.13 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
3.6 kg · 0.2 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
2
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Best lures and baits for Starry smooth-hound
Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.
01
Crab
- Surfcasting
- Bottom Fishing
Hard upper shell protects the crab and anchors its vital organs.
02
Shrimp
- Bottom Fishing
Translucent segmented carapace protects the body.
03
Squid
- Bottom Fishing
Elongated muscular body holds internal organs and secretes scent in the water.
How Starry smooth-hound 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 Starry smooth-hound
-
Diet
Carnivore -
Feeds by
Hunts animals -
Hunts
Morning · Afternoon -
Main prey
Baitfish
Prey and predators of Starry smooth-hound
Prey is what Starry smooth-hound eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.
That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.
Prey
What it eats
Where Starry smooth-hound lives
Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.
0–350 m
Where this species lives
Starry smooth-hound photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.
Where to fish for Starry smooth-hound
Mapped fishing spots where Starry smooth-hound is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.
