Saltwater · Late spring to early fall; most common in summer, May to September
Smooth Dogfish
Mustelus canis
A small, harmless bottom shark and the shark most East Coast surf and pier anglers actually catch in summer. In New Jersey 'sand shark' usually means this species — a true sandbar shark is a different, much larger fish. It has no dorsal spines and only blunt crushing teeth, so it is safe to handle with basic care.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- No spines in front of either dorsal fin — the key split from spiny dogfish
- Blunt, pavement-like crushing teeth instead of cutting teeth — harmless to handle with care
- Slender grey-brown body with a lighter belly and no spots in adults
- Second dorsal fin nearly as large as the first
- Eyes large and oval, with a spiracle behind each eye
Habits
- Feeds mainly at night on crabs, shrimp, small fish and shellfish on sand and mud
- Moves into shallow bays and surf in late spring; females give birth to live pups in early summer
- Often the first and most frequent shark caught from piers and beaches after dark
- Travels in small packs, so one catch usually means more nearby
- Moves south and into deeper water as temperatures fall in autumn
Distribution
Where to find them
- New Jersey surf beaches and inlet jetties after dark
- Long Island bays and pier ends in summer
- Chesapeake Bay sandy channels and creek mouths
Where they live
How to catch them
Surf bottom fishing after dark Shore
Rig: Surf rod with a fish-finder or high-low rig, 4/0-6/0 circle hook and bunker or clam chunk, cast into surf troughs after dark
Bait/lure: Bunker or clam chunks
Key tip: Fish the first two hours after sunset in summer — packs move in close and bites come in flurries.
Pier and bay bottom fishing Shore
Rig: Medium rod, standard bottom rig with squid or cut bait over sand and mud in bays and off piers
Bait/lure: Squid, cut bait
Key tip: Use circle hooks and keep baits on the bottom; check baits often, as dogfish travel in packs and strip hooks quickly.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Medium to surf 8-10 ft rod
- Line: 20-30 lb mono
- Terminal: 4/0-6/0 circle hooks, bottom rigs, 2-4 oz sinkers
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 2-3.5 ft (0.6-1.1 m); large fish to about 5 ft (1.5 m)
On the table
Fair to good — mild flesh sold as fish and chips in some markets, but most anglers release it.
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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