DOG FISH
 

It seems to be a terrible year with the number of dogfish prevelant throughout all areas of the water column. I have been shark fishing three times this year, and not even seen a shark. The chum cannot get more than 15 feet from the boat before the dogs eat it. You cannot keep a bait in the water either. I have tried fishing on top of Jefferey's Ledge (177' feet of water)....4 Miles beyond (400'-500' of water) and the dogs are everywhere. What are your theories as to why there are so many this year?

Two weeks ago the water temp was 74 degrees at Jefferey's, this past weekend it was 65. The temperature doesn't seem to be bothering them. I am in the Maine Shark Tournament in 2 weeks, and many of us are concerned.

In your experiences, what is the solution? Motoring to Plattes? Keep feeding the dogs while trying to sight fish?

NMFS is protecting them ans has virtually shut down commercial fishing for them. Only solution I've found that works is using the doggies for bait.

Live or dead?

what are rec rules for dog?

There are none. mLive or dead, whatever floats you boat. I don't think you could fish more than one live one at a time without getting into massive tangles.

last time I went out I must have got 10 of them, I hate them

yea, I would catch 5 or 6 (smooth variety) from the shore in one setting chunking on Marthas Vineyard. They hit everything, squid, pogies, macks, etc. You can eat them, just gut and bleed while still alive. White meat but not much flavor, kind of bland.

Would they work as lobster bait? I'm dropping traps next year.

As a last resort I'd use dogs for lobster bait, very white meat and not oily. but I'd choose a blue any day of the week.

If the rub rail on your boat is pulling away, dogs make great mallots.

i have to punch my rail back almost every trip... thanks for the tip! :hf1:

Sometimes you can't get away from them. I wouldn't leave a slick for greener pasture because they are everywhere.
you can pull all the baits and set one right under the surface a few feet away, so you can keep an eye on it. you can also liveline a dogg.
jigging cod while sharking they will follow the cod up and hang arround. so just stop jigging for a while sometimes they will disperse if there's nothing for them to eat.
a shark will come right for the chum bucket most of the time. we've fished with no biats out many times. just pitch it to them when they show. I do like to float some balloons out with no bait on them. alot of sharks pass the bait right up and b-line it for the balloon thats how we spot most of them circling the balloons.

Yup..
had a large Bluedog grab a hooked dog live under the boat in July... was cranking it in and never saw mr blue coming... stealth attack from under the props...

We'll give it a shot.....tournament time...no option but to battle through the dogs.