Dusky smooth-hound

Dusky smooth-hound (Mustelus canis) — field identification starting point: a cartilaginous fish with exposed gill slits rather than a bony gill cover; body shape, fins and markings must be checked carefully for species-level identification.

Most are around 3.3 ft (100 cm).

Up to about 4.9 ft (150 cm) long and 27 lb (12.2 kg). Source: FishBase

The dusky smooth-hound feeds on large crustaceans, mainly crabs, and also eats many lobsters.

It is an active swimmer that feeds on the bottom and travels in packs or schools, from shallow inshore water out to the upper slope. Off the U.S. Atlantic coast it migrates.

Found in Puerto Rico. Start in the documented habitat and substrate for this species, then narrow the search using depth, current, structure and food activity. Habitat reference:

Habitat: mud bottom, rivers and streams and coastal waters.

From the surface down to 2,625 ft (800 m), usually 59 ft–656 ft (18–200 m).

BigJoe treats shark encounters as identification-and-release first unless the exact species, permit and retention rules are confirmed before fishing.

Water: marine and brackish. Habitat: mud bottom, rivers and streams and coastal waters.

Sharks bite best around bait concentrations and moving water.

Sharks can feed day or night; legal status and safe handling matter more than a claimed universal best hour.

Current can spread scent and concentrate prey, but use only legal methods and avoid creating unsafe shoreline situations.

Choose sea state, wind and visibility that let you hold position and handle the fish safely. Avoid treating rough weather as a feeding advantage.

Fish or squid baits attract sharks, but baiting should only be used where legal and where the exact shark fishery rules are understood.

Large plugs, jigs or trolled lures can produce incidental shark strikes; use tackle heavy enough to shorten the fight.

Release-first setup: heavy rod/reel, heavy main line and bite leader, dehooker, bolt cutters/line cutters and a plan to keep the shark in the water.

Use strong tackle and release-friendly terminal gear appropriate to the legal fishery; exact hook requirements vary by permit/area and must be checked before targeting.

Use heavy line sized to land the shark without an extended fight; 50–100+ lb class is a common starting point for larger sharks.

Use a heavy abrasion/bite leader and a setup that can be cut quickly near the hook if removal is unsafe.

If a shark is hooked, prioritize a short controlled fight and safe release; many Atlantic/Caribbean shark species have strict retention limits or prohibitions.

Let it go quickly if you're not keeping it.

BigJoe does not classify Dusky smooth-hound as a routine food species from the current source set. That is not a claim that it is poisonous; before eating, confirm exact identification, lawful retention, documented local food use and current public-health advisories.

Not a common food fish — most anglers release it.

If you keep it and it's appropriate for food use: handle the animal safely, chill promptly, use heavy gloves and a stable cutting surface, skin/portion with clean tools, and keep meat cold. Shark retention and food-safety rules can be species-specific, so confirm both before cleaning.

If the exact shark is legally retained and considered suitable for food, cook the meat thoroughly using current seafood-safety guidance; 145°F (63°C) is the FDA target for fish. Check species-specific mercury and harvest restrictions first.

Keep the shark in the water. Use heavy tackle to shorten the fight, a dehooker and cutters; keep hands away from the mouth and gills.

No species-specific size, bag or season limits are listed here.

Avoid needless kills and follow protected-species, area and season rules.