Saltwater · Late spring through autumn; after dark
Bull Huss
Scyliorhinus stellaris
The big, bold-spotted rock-mark cousin of the lesser-spotted dogfish — also called the nursehound. A night fish of rough ground that lies up in kelp and rock by day and is fished after dark with strong pulley rigs and big fleshy baits. A powerful, dogged fighter for a shore shark.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Large catshark with big, bold dark spots and blotches over a sandy-brown body
- Broad, blunt head much wider than the lesser-spotted dogfish
- Rough skin and two dorsal fins set far back, no anal fin
- Spots are large and widely spaced, including spots on the underside in big fish
- Nasal flaps almost reach the mouth; nostrils well separated from it
Habits
- A night fish of rough ground — lies up in kelp and rock by day
- Feeds after dark on crabs, squid, dogfish and small bottom fish
- Strong and dogged fighter that uses its tail and the rock to resist
- Lays large egg cases tangled into kelp and rock
- Slow-growing, so most anglers release big breeding females
Distribution
Where to find them
- Deep rock marks in southwest England at night
- Irish rough-ground reefs
- Channel wrecks close to rocky shores
Where they live
How to catch them
Night rock-ground fishing Rock fishing
Rig: Pulley rig with a single strong 5/0-6/0 hook and wire or heavy mono trace, cast after dark into deep rough ground
Bait/lure: Whole crab or large squid on a 5/0 hook
Key tip: Sit tight and let the fish run — bull huss mouth big baits before pulling away firmly.
Boat fishing over wrecks and boulder fields Boat
Rig: Heavy running trace with a single 6/0 hook over wrecks and boulder fields close to rocky shores
Bait/lure: Mackerel head or large fish chunks
Key tip: Fish over the roughest ground you can find — bull huss rarely travel far from good cover at night.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Heavy beachcaster or rock rod
- Line: 25-40 lb mono
- Terminal: Pulley rigs with strong 4/0-6/0 hooks, wire or heavy mono traces
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 36-48 in (90-120 cm), about 8-15 lb (4-7 kg); large fish to 64 in (162 cm) and 30 lb (14 kg)
On the table
Fair — firm flesh sometimes sold as rock salmon; most shore anglers release this slow-growing rough-ground shark.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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