Rig Shark

Johnny Richards, an expert surfcaster, with a very huge 17 lb rig shark caught at South Rakaia Beach. Johnny used crab for bait .

Mustelus lenticulatus, or rig has numerous names including smooth hound, gummy shark and spotted dogfish. They are a very good fish to eat. It is often sold in the shops as Lemon Fish.

This shark has an average length of 70 - 100 cm but a big one can measure close to 1.5 metres.

The best bait for rig is swimming crab and crayfish. The best time to go surfcasting for rig shark is when the water is still a bit discolouredy following a southerly blow.

Read about the Tope Shark also known as school shark or grey boy. See two big rig sharks caught surfcasting at Kaikoura. Surfcasting at Amberley Beach, Birdlings Flat, Surfcasting at Night, A big sting-ray caught at Lyttelton Harbour, Surfcasting at Bethels Beach.

Return to: New Zealand Surfcasting Methods, Techniques and places to fish.