Brown Smoothhound

Oceans & Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean — from the San Francisco Bay area south to the Gulf of California. Common in shallow bays, estuaries, and nearshore rocky reef areas along the California and Baja California coasts. A nearshore and inshore species rarely found far offshore.

Preferred Water Temperature: 55°F–68°F. A cool water Pacific shark well adapted to the seasonal temperature variations of California's bays and nearshore waters.

Size & Weight: Typically 2–3 feet and 5–15 lbs. Maximum approximately 4 feet. A slender, smooth-bodied shark with a pointed snout. Common in San Francisco Bay, Tomales Bay, and Elkhorn Slough — one of the most frequently caught sharks by California bay anglers.

Best Lures: Rarely taken on artificial lures. Small jigs occasionally produce catches.

Best Baits: Ghost shrimp are the number one bait in California bays. Pile worms produce excellent results. Fresh squid pieces work consistently. Small chunks of fish produce strikes. Light to medium spinning gear with 12–20 lb line is appropriate.

Eastern Pacific Ocean — from the San Francisco Bay area south to the Gulf of California. Common in shallow bays, estuaries, and nearshore rocky reef areas along the California and Baja California coasts. A nearshore and inshore species rarely found far offshore.

55°F–68°F. A cool water Pacific shark well adapted to the seasonal temperature variations of California's bays and nearshore waters.

Best Lures: Rarely taken on artificial lures. Small jigs occasionally produce catches. Best Baits: Ghost shrimp are the number one bait in California bays. Pile worms produce excellent results. Fresh squid pieces work consistently. Small chunks of fish produce strikes. Light to medium spinning gear with 12–20 lb line is appropriate.

Typically 2–3 feet and 5–15 lbs. Maximum approximately 4 feet. A slender, smooth-bodied shark with a pointed snout. Common in San Francisco Bay, Tomales Bay, and Elkhorn Slough — one of the most frequently caught sharks by California bay anglers.