The spurdog is a slim grey shark with a sharp spine in front of each dorsal fin and, when young, white spots along its flanks. The British boat record spurdog came from Hastings, Sussex, in 2017. British boat record: confirmed.
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About the spurdog
The spurdog is a slim grey shark with a sharp spine in front of each dorsal fin and, when young, white spots along its flanks. It has no anal fin. It usually lives in deep water and moves shallower to feed, hunting near the seabed and in midwater for herring, sprats and sandeels. It is more common in the west and north of Britain than along the south coast. Anglers can expect a fish of up to about 25 lb, and shore catches are typically 5 to 10 lb. Midwater feeding is especially common in summer, while mating takes place in winter. On a boat trip you handle a spurdog with respect. Those spines are real, so landing one calls for care and a steady hand. It is also a fish with a worrying story. It is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, and the Shark Trust describes it as Critically Endangered in the north-east Atlantic. Stocks are heavily restricted, and both the Shark Trust and this guide advise returning every fish alive. If you meet one, treat it as a fish to admire, photograph quickly if you must, and let go. It is a small shark with a big conservation story, and it is worth getting to know.
On the boat
Spurdog are fished with hooks from 2/0 to 4/0 on heavy 80 lb mono or wire. Baits are mackerel strip, herring, sandeel or squid. Midwater feeding is especially common in summer, but the record gives no catch months for Britain and none for Sussex. Mind the spines when landing one, and return it alive. It hunts near the seabed and in midwater for herring, sprats and sandeels,.
British boat-caught record
Confirmed record
- Weight
- 25 lb 4 oz (11.477 kg)
- Where
- Hastings, East Sussex
- When
- 2017
- Angler
- Shane Salmon
Confirmed British boat-caught record: Shane Salmon, 25 lb 4 oz (11.477 kg), caught at Hastings, East Sussex, in 2017. The official list gives the year only, not the full date. The official weight-based boat records were frozen in June 2024, and newer claims are by length only.
How we label records: the British boat-caught records table explains confirmed, claimed and none listed.
Care and rules
Release every spurdog alive. It is Vulnerable (IUCN) and stocks are heavily restricted. It has no clear recreational size limit, so check current MMO rules before keeping any. Rules change: check the current rules before you fish.
Did you know?
The spurdog has a sharp spine in front of each dorsal fin, and young fish carry white spots. Its British boat record came from Hastings, East Sussex, in 2017.
Questions about the spurdog
What is the British boat-caught record for spurdog?
Confirmed British boat-caught record: Shane Salmon, 25 lb 4 oz (11.477 kg), caught at Hastings, East Sussex, in 2017. The official list gives the year only, not the full date. The official weight-based boat records were frozen in June 2024, and newer claims are by length only.
Is spurdog caught off the Sussex coast?
Yes. The British boat record spurdog came from Hastings, Sussex, in 2017.
When is the best time to catch spurdog?
Around Britain: Midwater feeding is especially common in summer; mating is in winter. No catch months given. Our sources give no months for Sussex.
How big does a spurdog get?
Up to about 25 lb; shore catches typically 5 to 10 lb.
Sources
- britishseafishing.co.uk Spurdog: britishseafishing.co.uk
- britishseafishing.co.uk UK boat records: britishseafishing.co.uk
- Kestrel Warrior: Sharks off Brighton: kestrelwarrior6.co.uk
- BRFC Sea Fish Records June 2026: anglingtrust.net
- Wikimedia Commons image page: commons.wikimedia.org
Picture: Doug Costa, NOAA/SBNMS, file page on Wikimedia Commons. Every picture in the guide is listed on the picture credits page.
