Anybody who grew up on the coast knows that Stingrays are slimy things in the sand you never want to step on. And anyone who’s caught one while fishing will tell you how pesky they are. But think again before you toss that “sea bat” back into the waves. There’s something to be said for Ray fishing.
Did you know how tasty they are? Sure, those barbed tails shouldn’t go in your soup anytime soon, but Stingray fins are another story. These hold a dense and chewy meat that connoisseurs compare to Clams, Scallops, and even Lobster. Catching your own Stingray is certainly cheaper. Not to mention, it can be a truly unique experience – whether you take to the shore with a rod, bow, or trident in hand.
In this guide, we’ll break down the hows and whats of Ray fishing. We’ll introduce you to the different types of Rays and run through top spots, techniques, and more. By the time you’re done reading, we’re sure you’ll be heading out to the water on the hunt for your own Ray!
How to Identify Rays
Rays (Batoidea) are a relatively large family of fish which includes Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Electric Rays, and many kinds of Stingrays. Batoidea (or Batomorphi) fall under an even larger family of flat, bottom-dwelling creatures called Rajiformes. This includes Skates, Guitarfish, and Sawfish. Larger still is the subclass Elasmobranchii, which also includes Sharks!
Like Sharks, Rays are cartilaginous fish with rough, sandpaper skin. While Sharks and many Rajiformes have fins, you can instantly recognize Rays and Skates based on the fact that they don’t. Instead, these species have bat-like wings (hence the Latin name) and long, whip-like tails. Though Rays and Skates look similar, there are a few telltale signs that set them apart:
- Rays have diamond-shaped bodies, whereas Skates are often triangular or round.
- Instead of teeth, Rays have serrated plates that they use to mash up their prey.
- Skates have relatively thick tails lined with spikes, but without stingers at the end. Meanwhile, the tails on most Rays are long and thin. In some cases, those whips really are a livewire, so watch out! In addition to some species being venomous, their tails can feature dangerous barbs.
Rays with stingers are, of course, known as Stingrays (Dasyatidae). And, as luck would have it, they’re incredibly common. While most anglers consider them a nuisance, some really enjoy catching “Stingers.” They’re one of the few Rays that are legal to fish for, so as we dive into the world of Ray fishing, keep in mind that we’re primarily talking about Stingray.
Stingrays live all over the world – and not just in our oceans. There are freshwater species that inhabit some rivers and even lakes. Stingrays sometimes feed in large schools that sweep across the ocean floor like a cloud of bats. At other times, they bury themselves in the shallows and along beaches, where the sand is warmed by the sun. When they cozy up like this, they’re easy pickin’s for anglers.
Whether you catch them on purpose or by mistake, just remember that not all Stingrays are legal to keep. In some places, they’re even endangered. With so many species in the mix, we can’t name them all or give you a full rundown of regulations. Our advice is to get to know what’s swimming in your local waters and make sure you know what’s fair game.
Best Ray Fishing Spots
Like we said, you’ll find Rays all over the place. There’s almost always a chance that you’ll land one accidentally while fishing for something else. But, for anglers who enjoy targeting Stingray specifically, there are a few dedicated fisheries:
Gulf of Mexico
Take a trip down south, and you’ll find out just how popular gigging is in the Gulf of Mexico. While this method is most common when targeting Flounder, you can actually gig for a variety of fish, including Stingray.
Bowfishing is another way that locals hunt for them, which is more akin to hunting along the mangroves and shallow flats. Some species in the mix include Atlantic, Southern, and Cownose Stingray. People claim you can land one of these in the 100-pound range!
Surf fishing is another way to catch Stingray, but gigging and bowfishing are much more fun. If that’s your thing, look for guides in Texas, Alabama, and Florida who offer dedicated trips like this. Chances are, Stingray are on their catch list.
Regulations for Stingray vary by state, but they’re pretty similar across the board:
- As a non-game fish, there are no size or bag limits for Stingray in Texas.
- Stingray are also unregulated in Florida, which means there’s a default bag limit of two Rays or 100 pounds per angler per day (whichever is more). For especially large species such as Southern Stingray, you can keep two fish with a combined weight of 150 pounds.
- Alabama regulations allow you to harvest most species, keeping in mind that you’re encouraged to eat any Stingrays you kill.
Mid-Atlantic States
Some Stingrays migrate up the Atlantic coast in summer, making the East Coast a great place to fish for them. More specifically, we’re talking about the coastal waters of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and New York.
Bowfishing is popular up here, along with surf fishing. There are some guided charters, but you don’t necessarily need a boat. Target species are Southern, Cownose, and Bullnose Stingray, as well as Butterfly Ray which average as much as 130 pounds.
Recreational fishing regulations for Stingray in the Mid-Atlantic are hard to find. Given that they’re a non-game species, the rules are likely similar to those in the Gulf. In Delaware, for example, common saltwater species like Southern Stingray are open to target year-round, with no size or bag limits. Freshwater Stingrays, meanwhile, are prohibited.
It’s always a good idea to fish with a licensed guide who knows the rules or check with the local authorities before heading out.
United Kingdom
Further afield, some anglers in the UK revel in targeting Stingray from shore. While they’re more common than previously thought, Stings aren’t actually the most abundant Rays you can fish for here. Shore-based anglers also hook into Thornback, Undulate, Blonde, and Electric Rays, among other species. But lately, a real passion for Stingray has struck.
Stingray fishing here can be hit-and-miss depending on the year. The UK sometimes sees only small fish in its waters, while at other times anglers catch Rays weighing 20 pounds or more. The local shore record weighed over 70 pounds!
Hotspots in England include the Essex and Hampshire coasts, along with the Bristol Channel. In Ireland, Stingray mainly migrate up the Kerry coast, with sightings in Tralee Bay and beaches near Castlegregory. Cardigan Bay in Wales also sees some Stingray that swim up St. Georges’s Channel, which is as far north as they’re known to go.
Anglers interested in catching Stingray should follow the UK’s guidelines for shore-caught fish. These allow you to keep Stingers that measure 41 centimeters (16 inches) or more. Note that most Ray species are considered vulnerable or near-threatened in the UK, so anglers are strongly encouraged to release their catch.
How to Fish for Rays
We’ve already said that there are multiple ways to target Stingray. Fishing with a rod and reel is the most obvious method but it’s not the only way – or even the most popular…
Gigging & Bowfishing
In the Gulf of Mexico and Mid-Atlantic, it’s common to go gigging or bowfishing for Stingray. These methods will have you stalking shallow waters and stabbing or shooting your target. Have in mind that catch-and-release won’t be an option in this case, so you’d better plan on Stinger meat for dinner!
Bowfishing is a challenge because Rays will bolt once you shoot them. Reeling a big one in is also no easy task! That said, these are a nice, big target for first-time archers due to their wingspan. One tip is to remember that water warps your perception of objects below the surface, which can cause you to miss. To counter this effect, aim slightly below the fish.
You don’t necessarily need a boat or high-end electronics to go gigging or bowfishing. However, we recommend hiring a local guide if you’re not experienced. They’ll know the best fishing spots and provide all the gear you need. A professional guide will also help you to handle your catch safely, which is a more serious concern than usual when fishing for Stingray.
Surf fishing
You can also catch Stingray by casting from shore. Many are caught this way by accident but some anglers head to their local beaches looking for Stingray on purpose.
Try shore fishing for Stingray on smaller tides, especially on balmy days when the sand will be warm from the sun. It’s not a bad idea to show up ahead of the tide so you can scout out some visual clues as to where the Rays have planted themselves.
These creatures tend to cruise along any gullies, since that’s where the tide washes up tidbits for them to feed on. Cast over one of these and then retrieve your bait until it settles into the ditch and let it rest there until an unsuspecting Ray comes along and scarfs it up.
Handling Stingrays
No matter what technique you use, it’s important to handle your catch with care. Stingrays do exactly what the name implies: sting. In addition to venomous stingers, their tails are lined with tiny barbs that can stick in your skin. Sometimes the Ray’s own flesh comes away with these barbs, adding to your risk of infection. If you get stung while handling a Stingray, call for medical advice right away.
When threatened, Stingray will try to deliver one of these prickly, venomous jabs by whipping their tails forward like a scorpion. This is why it’s important to position yourself in front of them, head-on. They often flail around in a panic at first, so wait for them to settle down and then secure the tail by placing a thick towel over it.
If you’re fishing with a rod and reel, now’s the time to dehook your catch. Gently lift the nose and reach underneath rather than flipping the Stingray onto its back, since that can damage the protective mucus covering these fish.
When releasing your catch, the next challenge is getting it back into the sea. If the Ray is large enough, you can try dragging it by the nose, which is more humane than grabbing the nostrils behind their eyes. Ideally, you should get the Ray onto a small tarp which you can then drag back into the water while they’re resting on top. Something like a T-bar to gently push your catch back into the surf will also work.
Ray Fishing Gear
If you go gigging for Stingray, the main thing you’ll need is a gig. Following on from that, you’ll need a place to store your catch. If you’re gigging from a boat, you might have a lot of additional gear at your disposal, including electronics to locate the fish and LED lights at night.
Boats used for bowfishing can be decked out with a lot of similar features, although theoretically nothing is necessary aside from your bow and arrows. With many models on the market, bows vary considerably. We could dedicate an entire post to this niche of the fishing industry but any guide you hire should have bowfishing equipment suited to the task.
On the flipside, if you go shore fishing for Stingrays you’re likely to be hauling your own gear. Don’t forget that Rays can reach hundreds of pounds, so your tackle should be fairly heavy. Specific preferences vary from angler to angler, but a powerful 12–13′ rod rated to cast 4–8 ounces is preferable. This should be paired with a strong reel, such as a 6500 series.
You can use about 20 lb mono or 30 lb braided lines, with a 60–75 lb shock leader. Some anglers use 3–4 foot leaders while others opt for double that length. You may want to add a slider or pyramid weight to your line to keep it on the bottom. Complete your setup with a single 3/0–4/0 circle hook and some irresistible bait.
Stingray Bait
Stingray take a wide variety of bait – as anyone who’s caught one by mistake will know! For the most success, however, there are a few tried-and-true choices:
- King ragworm (a top choice in the UK)
- Lugworm
- Peeler, fiddler, and soft crabs
- Squid and cuttlefish
- Shrimp
- Small fish like mackerel and mullet
You can fish these baits live, dead, cut, or frozen. Bear in mind that Stingray track down their prey by smell, so whatever bait you use, make sure it’s pungent. You can also mash and roll some baits like ragworm into a smelly sausage.
Lures generally aren’t considered effective for Stingray fishing, but you might catch one incidentally while targeting other fish on artificials.
When to Fish for Rays
Stingray are migratory. In some places, like the Gulf of Mexico, they remain present offshore year-round and then follow their food close to shore in warmer months. In northern areas such as the Mid-Atlantic and southern UK, this occurs between April and October, with peak Ray activity during summer.
There’s some debate about what time of day is best for Stingray fishing. Most anglers agree that shore fishing is best later in the day, after the sand has been warmed by the sun. Some only fish during a small or medium tide, while others like to fish a high tide close to sunset.
Night fishing for Stingray is productive as well, and this is when many guides in the Gulf of Mexico offer gigging and bowfishing trips for them.
Ray fishing: Your latest craze?
Anglers aren’t usually too excited to find a Stingray at the end of their line, but these are fascinating fish with more appeal than you probably thought. Not only do they make good table fare but they can grow to impressive sizes and will make you work for that sweet reward. Depending on where you fish for them, they’re also in high supply.
While Ray fishing isn’t about to take any nation by storm, perhaps that’s just as well. All the more Stingray for you!
Have you ever been Ray fishing? Maybe one took your bait while you were fishing for something else? Let us know all your stories in the comments below!
The post How to Go Fishing for Rays: The Complete Guide for 2025 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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