bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Dog fish or spiny ray sharks are a true species of shark with line cutting teeth. They are usually in the two to 3 foot range here in the sound. They put up a little fight on heavy salmon gear. They also roll when they get near the boat, messing up the gear and causing line cutting and re rigging. On a whole, dog fish suck when salmon fishing.

So why would anyone target them?

Like I said, they are sharks. Any inland guest would love to catch a shark of any size to photo for their friends back home. More important, I have found that a spiny ray shark is the highlight of every youngster (salmon fishermen's kids excepted) under 16 that I have taken out. And I have taken out a lot of youngsters. A two to five foot fish is a big fish. They fight very hard on trout gear. They give up fairly quickly. They are also plentiful and easy to catch when schools are found, or they find you.

I have found over the years of guiding families that most kids are far more interested in volume in the form of steady action on gear their size, rather than in fish size. Some even quickly gain a dislike, if pushed into fighting fish like salmon or halibut. The gear is to heavy, let alone with a fish on the end strong enough to pull the rod out of there hands. I have even been told by more than one young man, that landing the fish was scary because they were afraid of losing the rod and getting into trouble. Think about that.

Most of us grew up on bluegill, perch and crappie. A large bullhead or catfish was a trophy. In the saltwater, sand dabs and sole replace the panfish, and spiny ray sharks replace the catfish.

Rigging for Spiny ray sharks. I use small trout spinning rods about six foot with 1000 series reel and 30 pound braid. I rig with a snap swivel ties to the main line. I use a 30 or 40 Lb mono leader. To the bottom of the leader, I tie a snap swivel to quickly change weight from 1/2 to 2 oz. weights. up about 12 and 24 inches I add two more snap swivels on loops in the main line. Another 12 inches up I tie in a swivel to attach to the main line. To the two middle snap swivels I clip on 2/0 hooks pre snelled. I buy the pre snelled hooks (usually 9 to 12 in snells) very cheap on the internet or box stores or tie them myself when bored.

When fishing, I can just unsnap the snelled hook and release the shark without much effort. Usually with the heavy leader, there is little line damage from the fishes' skin. For bait, I use cut herring, shad or squid. The fish seem to be concentrated in the 40 to 100 foot range, but can be caught at any depth right to the surface Just let the bait hang free of action 2 feet off the bottom and raise it into any large school of baitfish if a schools shows up on the sounder. If no action, I will often reel in 10 turns and wait again for a while. Then repeat. Remember the sharks are feeding by scent, so it may take a while for them to show up. When they do show up, it can be not stop action. When that happens, don't plan to fish. You will be to busy helping the kids. Note: if there are crab traps down, they often attract the sharks.

DO NOT FORGET: A photo with a shark is priceless to a lot of kids and inlander adults, so don't forget.

Safety warning: Spiny Ray Sharks have a catfish like stinger on dorsal and pec fins. They have very very small teeth that can remove a finger. They can also roll into a complete circle. I have found that a fish gripper is the easiest way to manage them.

Remember to crimp the barb to be legal.

Spiny ray sharks can be eaten, but require to much care for me. Stick with sand dabs, greenling and sole.

DC Loc: Washington state

again thanks will take my grandkids out soon as school is out weather permitting. I have found except for punk salmon years like this year they get bored easily fishing for salmon so I'm sure they will like fishing for dog fish

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Just a suggestion. Start using the term shark. You will get a more excited response from them.

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

I caught, tagged and released 2 spiny dogfish, a spinner shark and a cownose ray with an Ava A-17 jig at Manasquan Inlet, NJ.

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

Years ago, hated it when I was Salmon fishing and they took my limited bait.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I expect that and tearing up gillnetters gear is how they got their bad rep. Like everything, big challenges can bring great joy. It is often about the outlook. I believe sharks led to the now common use of hoochies.

Rayjay425 Loc: Mill Creek, Washington

Years ago, a couple of co-workers wanted me to take them out in my boat so they could do some scuba diving. One of them brought his two sons (5 & 7 yrs old).

First we went to Possession Point at the south end of Whidbey Island where I located (by sonar) a WA state ferry that had been intentionally sunk in 1979. They did the first dive there.

Then we went to Useless Bay just a little west of Possession Point. They did the second dive there.

While the guys were diving, I got the fishing poles out and the kids started fishing. They 8 caught dogfish. It was fun. I had to hold onto the pole while they reeled.

So, I told the kids that they need to take a few of the dogfish home and put them in the freezer. Then, when they had company they could bring the dogfish out of the freezer and put them on their coffee table and use them as a conversation piece.

When their dad came back to the boat, the kids told them what they were going to do. He told them that they can't do that because the skipper has to keep the fish!

Caught a lot of dogfish while fishing for salmon. Gets you excited for a few minutes until you realize that it is a dogfish and not a salmon.

greekbeak Loc: Bellevue

They are good to eat. Make sure you skin them first. There are several good Utube videos on how to do that.

DC Loc: Washington state

I fish that area all the time did not know about the sunken ferry maybe that is what catches so many downrigger balls. That must be an exciting dive the currents around the point can be pretty strong. I'll have to pay closer attention to my sonar next time out and see if I can find it. learn something new

DC Loc: Washington state

I have eaten them and not bad but a lot of work and care to get them ready to eat so I just let them go and keep easier fish to eat like salmon

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

That is my outlook. Even so, I keep experimenting with making the process easier. I also want to try smoking them.
If they smoke well, I think a shark trip might be justified with the plan to process multiple fish at once, including having ice on board. Only experimentation will tell.

DC Loc: Washington state

keep us posted if you come up with amything

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Will do, though fishing is on the back burner this summer due to wife's health.

DC Loc: Washington state

sorry to hear that take care of her hope her health improves

greekbeak Loc: Bellevue

During WWII, my uncle would catch them and ratfish for their livers. Loaded with oils that they would process for the soldiers for Vit D if they ran out of cod livers.
A generation later, when long lining for halibut, we would sometimes run into huge schools of dogfish and every hook (2500 hooks) would have one of those twisting critters on them. No fun.....