Smooth hounds at Graysands, North Devon

August 1st 2022

Graysands, North Devon

Over the last couple of weeks we have had many reports of Smooth-hounds being caught from Graysands beach. I decided as I had a day off I would get my kit together and try my luck.

Low tide was around 3pm and the best time to fish I had been told, was a few hours down then a couple up. I was overly keen and arrive several hours too early. This meant that the outgoing tide was in full flow and nothing would hold the bottom. There was also a substatial amount of weed which once on the line made fishing even more difficult. I waited it out and around 2pm then the tide finally started to ease and I could hold bottom with a 5oz grip lead.

Around 3:30pm I had a take which produced the Starry Smooth-hound in the picture.

I was using a pully Pennel rig with a hooklength around 18" long baited with squid & crab cart.

There were plenty of Smooth-hounds being caught with some up to 81/2lb.

If you decide to fish at Graysands you need to be aware that there is a fee for the car park (currently £5.00 at the time of this post) and that It opens at 9am and is locked at 10pm even if there are vehicles still in the car park. Don't get trapped!

The views are spectacular and the fishing is great but be aware of very strong currents and deep channels near the pebbles.

Tight lines!