DOGFISH – FROZEN SEA FISHING BAIT
Dogfish is a tough, durable sea-fishing bait particularly suited to larger baits and heavy fishing. Its firm flesh and tough skin give it excellent staying power on the hook, helping it withstand powerful casting, strong tides and attention from smaller fish.
Dogfish can be cut into strips, chunks or substantial big-fish baits and is an excellent choice for common skate, rays, huss, conger, cod and other large bottom-feeding species.
HOW TO FISH DOGFISH
For general shore fishing, cut dogfish into strips with some of the skin left attached. Passing the hook through the skin helps produce a bait that stays securely attached.
For rays and huss, larger strips can be fished on a Pulley Pennel or Up & Over Rig.
For common skate and big conger, dogfish can be used as a substantial bait on heavy tackle with one of our Wrigglers Stainless O'Shaughnessy Hooks.
BEST WRIGGLERS RIGS & HOOKS
Pulley Rig — dogfish strips for cod and general heavier shore fishing.
Hooks: Wrigglers Takumi Wide Gape Long Shank or Octopus Beak Hooks.
Pulley Pennel Rig — longer dogfish strips and larger baits for rays, huss and cod.
Hooks: Wrigglers Takumi Wide Gape Long Shank or Octopus Beak Hooks.
Up & Over Rig — excellent for presenting a larger dogfish bait on a longer snood for rays and huss.
Hooks: Wrigglers Mutsu Circle Hooks or True Circle Hooks.
BIG DOGFISH BAITS FOR COMMON SKATE
Dogfish really comes into its own as a big-fish bait.
For common skate and other serious heavy fishing, use a large section of dogfish on appropriately heavy trace and tackle.
Wrigglers Stainless O'Shaughnessy 10/0 — ideal for large dogfish and other substantial fish baits.
Wrigglers Stainless O'Shaughnessy 12/0 — designed for extra-large dogfish, dogfish-and-squid and other big-fish presentations.
These can be paired with a suitably rated Wrigglers Power Swivel and heavy trace components appropriate to the fishing.
DOGFISH & SQUID FOR COMMON SKATE
Dogfish and squid is a superb big-skate bait combination.
Use a substantial piece of dogfish and add squid to create a tough, bulky bait with plenty of scent. Secure the bait firmly while leaving the hook point and gape completely clear.
This isn't just a theoretical combination for us — Wrigglers Dogfish and English Squid, fished on a Wrigglers Stainless O'Shaughnessy 12/0 and an Up & Over rig, has accounted for a 186 lb common skate.
COMPLETE YOUR SETUP WITH WRIGGLERS TACKLE
For general sea fishing:
Wrigglers Takumi Wide Gape Long Shank Hooks • Octopus Beak Hooks • Mutsu Circle Hooks • True Circle Hooks • Pulley Rigs • Pulley Pennels • Up & Over Rigs
For Common Skate & Big-Fish Baits:
Wrigglers Stainless O'Shaughnessy 10/0 & 12/0 Hooks • Heavy Trace • Wrigglers Power Swivels • Heavy-Duty Rig Components
TOP TIP: Take advantage of dogfish's tough skin. Make sure the hook passes securely through the skin and keep the hook point and gape fully exposed. For very large baits, build the bait around the hook rather than burying the hook inside it.
#GetAWriggleOn