Using a barbless hook doesn't lose you any fish, but makes releasing them much easier. But probably the most important thing is to NEVER drag the ray on it's belly over the sand. This removes the protective outer coating, making the ray susceptible to infestations and will probably cause it to die. Use a tarp or if possible, unhook the fish while it is in shallow water instead.
Have you ever heard of an Alvey reel? I'd love to apply the Alvey style of angling to the UK's coastal waters at some point. Do you reckon it could work for Ray angling? If not, have you got any other suggestions on how an Alvey reel might be best applied to the UKs fishes?
No mention at all of the importance of being in the right spot at the right time. I've caught all the ray species by putting myself in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time in the best weather conditions for each species. Locally I know these things but when travelling I always seek local knowledge and that local knowledge as done more for my successes than anything else. Knowing how to do it is not much use if you don't know where the rays feed and when they feed. Some time spent at home on research and finding local contacts is well worth the extra work. Why fish blindly in hope when you could be on a prime location at precisely the right state of the tide.
Hi Greg, it depends what hooklength material you’re using but I usually don’t go lighter than .60mm diameter. I typically use .80mm for both rig body and hooklength if I’m after decent sized rays like thornies. They aren’t line shy to any great degree and your hooklengths often take a battering from doggies when after ray 👍
Great question Mitch! When using two rods, it’s common for experienced ray anglers to put them both out to the maximum distance they can. This is typically on venues where out and out distance is established as the top tactic. Chesil cove would be a good example. Another great tactic is to put one rod out to maximum range, keeping it in the same area each time and vary the distances from with the other. This works in two ways so that you are establishing a scent trail with the distance rod that an actively hunting ray can home in on and with the other rod you are increasing your chances of landing near a ray that is laid up and potentially looking to ambush its next meal. Once you have found an area where ray are feeding, put both rods in that zone. Ray often travel in groups so you can often catch several in quick succession if you are prepared to capitalise on the opportunity 👍
Using a barbless hook doesn't lose you any fish, but makes releasing them much easier. But probably the most important thing is to NEVER drag the ray on it's belly over the sand. This removes the protective outer coating, making the ray susceptible to infestations and will probably cause it to die. Use a tarp or if possible, unhook the fish while it is in shallow water instead.
Have you ever heard of an Alvey reel? I'd love to apply the Alvey style of angling to the UK's coastal waters at some point. Do you reckon it could work for Ray angling? If not, have you got any other suggestions on how an Alvey reel might be best applied to the UKs fishes?
Brilliant thank you
You're very welcome!
Hi bro nice video... Love from indian fishing channel 🥰
Thanks guys!
No mention at all of the importance of being in the right spot at the right time. I've caught all the ray species by putting myself in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time in the best weather conditions for each species. Locally I know these things but when travelling I always seek local knowledge and that local knowledge as done more for my successes than anything else. Knowing how to do it is not much use if you don't know where the rays feed and when they feed. Some time spent at home on research and finding local contacts is well worth the extra work. Why fish blindly in hope when you could be on a prime location at precisely the right state of the tide.
What is the minimum diameter (or Lb) snood that you would use for thornbacks please?
Hi Greg, it depends what hooklength material you’re using but I usually don’t go lighter than .60mm diameter. I typically use .80mm for both rig body and hooklength if I’m after decent sized rays like thornies. They aren’t line shy to any great degree and your hooklengths often take a battering from doggies when after ray 👍
How do you know how far to cast 🤔
Great question Mitch! When using two rods, it’s common for experienced ray anglers to put them both out to the maximum distance they can. This is typically on venues where out and out distance is established as the top tactic. Chesil cove would be a good example. Another great tactic is to put one rod out to maximum range, keeping it in the same area each time and vary the distances from with the other. This works in two ways so that you are establishing a scent trail with the distance rod that an actively hunting ray can home in on and with the other rod you are increasing your chances of landing near a ray that is laid up and potentially looking to ambush its next meal. Once you have found an area where ray are feeding, put both rods in that zone. Ray often travel in groups so you can often catch several in quick succession if you are prepared to capitalise on the opportunity 👍
@@HookpointFishingMagazine brilliant, thanks for the reply buddy. I'll have my first ray soon, fingers crossed 🤞
You’re welcome Mitch! If you have any more questions or need more specific help, let us know and we will do our best to help 😁
P R O M O S M 🎊