BBQ'd CNR

[sega]

Hey fellers

I have tomorrow off work and really wanted to go after some rays. I know some of you are shaking your heads reading this right now. But I really want to cross another fish off my species list( and I'll use any excuse I can to get the yak in some salt water). Not to mention I'm having a BBQ this weekend and wouldn't mind trying my hand at grilling a couple.

From what I've gathered lots of guys are seeing them at JGSP. Anywhere else where they're really thick now? I haven't read too much about what they'll hit other than gulp occasionally. Lots of guys suggesting to just snag them.

I'm going to strap a cooler to the back of my kayak, and have a knife ready to chop the wings off immediately (that's what I've read you're supposed to do). Any other suggestions to make the trip a little easier?

[Shady]

Unless you have a long gaff or something, I'd suggest staying near a beach where you are able to pull the yak up on and then drag the ray on as well. Landing these things on a kayak in open water, is probably nearly impossible.

[RavensDfense]

Pick most any saltwater location and any species other than CNR's. Spend roughly $20 on some new shinny new lures and begin to troll. You'll catch them all day long.

But seriously...I would suggest the wye river. They are usually thick there this time of year.

[jet]

I saw so many schools of them Sunday, just south of the bay bridge where all the crab pots are.

[willf650]

I've caught a few recently for the first time. I caught the majority of them using clams while drum fishing. This may sound weird but they are now one of my favorite fish to catch. I don't keep fish and they fight better then anything else I've hooked.


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[Slobber Bob]

Any other suggestions to make the trip a little easier?

Don't get hit by the barb! They go pretty crazy yak side just trying to unhook them. How do you plan to hack the wings off them while they are flapping like mad and you're sitting in a kayak? Kill it first?

[jet]

have to knock them out with a fish bat while holding them with the leader at side of the kayak i would guess

[J.A. Veil]

I saw one laying completely still on the bottom of an Eastern Bay ledge this morning. The water was very clear -- I could see this ray laying in 4 ft depth.

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[Yak Fish]

Do they strike the lures or are they getting snagged mostly?

[jet]

yes, they strike lures

[Elsea]

yes, they strike lures

I lost a brand new 6" X-Rap on the Wye to a big ray a couple weeks ago while trolling. I thought I hooked the Striper of a lifetime because I too didn't think rays hit lures. Every time the ray got close to the yak it would make a drag sreaming dive so lure retrieval was hopless. In the melee I also lost a jighead and paddletail that snagged the bottom while I was fighting this "trophy". Not a big fan of rays.

[sega]

It just surprises me how many people hate these things. Everything everyone says about them that is irritating, sounds so appealing to me. Anything that is big and strong is a-ok on the end of this snaggedliner's line. I think I might try gulp for them. Not too sure where to grab bait from out that way.

And yes, I'm definitely not bringing a live ray into my lap lol. If it's going in the cooler, it's getting a swift knock on the head via a mini bat I have. Still deciding if I want to go after them tomorrow or make the much closer trip to Fletchers and play with the big kitties >:-)

[Shady]

I stabbed the one I got in the head several times with scissors and it was still flopping! The weirdest part was when I cut the wings off they tried to swim away...

[jet]

It just surprises me how many people hate these things. Everything everyone says about them that is irritating, sounds so appealing to me. Anything that is big and strong is a-ok on the end of this snaggedliner's line. I think I might try gulp for them. Not too sure where to grab bait from out that way.

And yes, I'm definitely not bringing a live ray into my lap lol. If it's going in the cooler, it's getting a swift knock on the head via a mini bat I have. Still deciding if I want to go after them tomorrow or make the much closer trip to Fletchers and play with the big kitties >:-)

i dont mind catching them too much, i guess the only thing that bothers me is it takes time away from catching my intended target, and i loose the lure.

I stabbed the one I got in the head several times with scissors and it was still flopping! The weirdest part was when I cut the wings off they tried to swim away...

ha, that's creepy

[Slobber Bob]

I saw one laying completely still on the bottom of an Eastern Bay ledge this morning. The water was very clear -- I could see this ray laying in 4 ft depth.

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It probably didn't move because it's dead. Its half rotten looking.