Catching Ray on the South Coast––Advice?

Hi All,

I see from the shore reports that there's a lot of ray being caught up west––a fish that I've never caught. Does anyone know if they're about on the south coast too, especially in the West Waterford/East Cork region? I saw a picture of a guy with two painted ray from a competition in Garryvoe in Sea Anger alright so I'm guessing there's some about, but that's about all I've heard of ray being taken around here.

If there are any about, any advice on tactics would be appreciated too: things like bait, casting distance, rigs, tide times, day or night––in short, all the usual questions you'd ask about a species. I've tried online, but all I can find is advice that's tied to a particular region, usually in the UK. Of course, if someone wanted to tell me a good mark, I'm not above that either ...

Many thanks,
Lodore

All I'll say is.....smelly two day old mac, pully rig, and Galway.

Hi Lodore I had this one down your neck of the woods on a mackerall and squid cocktail with an up and over rig. It was night on a flooding tide.

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All I'll say is.....smelly two day old mac, pully rig, and Galway.

Cheers Stephen, though every time I got to Galway, I get ... distracted by the nightlife. Think I'll pack a rod or two in the car next time––and not to mention some stinky mackerel

Hi Lodore I had this one down your neck of the woods on a mackerall and squid cocktail with an up and over rig. It was night on a flooding tide.

Keith, that is one sweet fish. Cheers for the photo and the advice! Brimming with the confidence it's given me, I think I'll hit the beaches with gusto over the next day or too ... Thanks!

Lodore

Jesus that thing is ugly. Nice ray though Keith

over this way, i prefer using a long and low pennal rig for ray fishing, baits usually, mack,sandeel and squid do the job. A good cast helps and i prefer fishing for them on a rising tide. They should show up a lot more during the warmer months, Oviously it will depend on your location but hope it helps a bit. Good luck

over this way, i prefer using a long and low pennal rig for ray fishing, baits usually, mack,sandeel and squid do the job. A good cast helps and i prefer fishing for them on a rising tide. They should show up a lot more during the warmer months, Oviously it will depend on your location but hope it helps a bit. Good luck

Thanks for that Chris. I'll give the long pennells a go; it's always handy to know what rig to use. Glad that squid works too: it seems to be the only bait you can rely on to buy around here! I'll put anything I catch on the shore reports section. Fingers crossed ...

i use the same baits as the other guys have mentioned, the rig i would use is a pulley rig, but at times i would make the rigs right and long, for i think its a good idea to keep the bait far away from the weight if your useing a grip lead, for the grip wires can put the ray off if they make contact with them...

i use the same baits as the other guys have mentioned, the rig i would use is a pulley rig, but at times i would make the rigs right and long, for i think its a good idea to keep the bait far away from the weight if your useing a grip lead, for the grip wires can put the ray off if they make contact with them...

Exactly, thats why i suggested a long and low rig, a 4 ft rig your snood is 8ft away from the lead!

i use the same baits as the other guys have mentioned, the rig i would use is a pulley rig, but at times i would make the rigs right and long, for i think its a good idea to keep the bait far away from the weight if your useing a grip lead, for the grip wires can put the ray off if they make contact with them...

Exactly, thats why i suggested a long and low rig, a 4 ft rig your snood is 8ft away from the lead!

Good advice here lads; cheers! Wouldn't have thought the rig had to be that big. Back to the shed with me to make some new ones ...

i use the same baits as the other guys have mentioned, the rig i would use is a pulley rig, but at times i would make the rigs right and long, for i think its a good idea to keep the bait far away from the weight if your useing a grip lead, for the grip wires can put the ray off if they make contact with them...

Exactly, thats why i suggested a long and low rig, a 4 ft rig your snood is 8ft away from the lead!

Good advice here lads; cheers! Wouldn't have thought the rig had to be that big. Back to the shed with me to make some new ones ...

They dont really have to be, i just find it helps! And with the long and low rig you know your bait is on the bottom, where the ray are!

the long and low aka up and over rig are the best for ray with a 8 to 10 foot snood

Have to disagree on the long and low, over the last couple of years on a Shannon backwater I have been fishing one long and low and one pulley rig as fairly as I can. I have taken many more fish on the pulley rig. I am going to carry on this year and log each trip more accurately. Best bait out here is fresh mackerel squid and sandeel take their fair share or cocktails of all three.

a 4ft snood is loads....any longer and itll only be flappin about in a strong tide

Id use anything bar a pulley, dont like em.

my one and only shore caught ray was on a three hook flapper with a red gurnard and a dab as well

Some interesting differences of opinion here. Guess the only way to sort 'em out is to try 'em all!