Not many anglers got down to catch bat ray as an meant goal. For many anglers, focusing on the largest fish within the surf means surf fishing for sharks. However, whether or not bat rays are your goal or not, in case your fishing for sharks from the seashore, you ought to be ready to catch and deal with one among these beasts.
About The Bat Ray
Incomes the nickname “mud marlin” the bat ray is for sure essentially the most highly effective fish within the surf. Except for an occasional nice white cruising by, bat rays are essentially the most highly effective and strongest combating fish within the surf.
There isn’t a query, nor an choice to debate. Should you’ve skilled hooking right into a bat ray with a 50+ inch wingspan, you’re in for a trip… a really lengthy one.
On this overview, we’ll speak about the most effective bait for bat ray fishing, the most effective rigs for bat ray fishing, and the most effective rod and reel to deal with not solely sharks and rays, however bat rays as nicely. We’ll contact on their vary, habitat, dimension, and far more.
| Frequent Names | Bat ray, mud marlin, bat |
| Authorized Restrict (#) | N/A |
| Authorized Measurement (in) | N/A |
| Document Measurement (in/lb) | 66 inches | 183 lbs |
| Typical Measurement (in/lb) | 24-48 inches | 5-90 lbs |
| Preventing Power (-/10) | 10/10 |
| Vary | Gulf of California – Oregon Coast |
| Habitat | Muddy or sandy, estuaries and bays, kelp beds and rocky-bottoms |
| Bait | Squid, reduce bait, sand crabs and others however these are finest |
| Peak Season | November – April |
Rods, Reels, Gear and Deal with for Bat Ray Fishing
The setup listed under is strictly what I exploit when go fishing for leopard sharks, soupfin sharks, and bat rays. This arrange can deal with something and every little thing you would possibly hook from the shore.
For all of the visible learners on the market, focusing on bat rays is close to equivalent to focusing on sharks from the seashore. Take a look at the video under on leopard shark fishing.
The large bat ray within the picture on the high of this web page (together with nearly all different bat rays I’ve caught) was caught on the identical setup talked about above with the identical techniques on this video.
Finest Rig For Bat Ray Fishing
A easy 3-way rig is the most effective rig for shark and ray fishing from the surf. You’ll right here some guys make arguments for the pulley rig, however maintain it easy with the 3-way as this offers a stronger connection and it’s far more inexpensive.
Finest Bait for Bat Rays
If I have been to go out with bat ray as my primary goal, it’d be a toss up between squid and recent reduce croaker or surf perch. It’s a troublesome choice to name one the most effective bait for bait ray fishing.
When surf fishing with squid, you’ll catch extra rays than you’ll sharks, however dimension might vary from tiny to massive. When surf fishing with reduce bait, you’re extra more likely to catch bigger sharks and bigger rays. I all the time lean towards focusing on the larger sharks and rays so I fish with reduce bait.
Yet another factor to notice is that bat ray can even eat sand crabs. It’s additionally completely doable to catch some massive bat rays when surf fishing with sand crabs. So, be ready and use a arrange just like the one proven under when focusing on fish like corbina, surfperch, and croaker. Don’t use something too gentle.
The place to Catch Bat Ray
You possibly can catch bat rays nearly wherever, however sandy flats are your finest wager. Moreover, when fishing sandy areas, you don’t have to fret about your line snagging reef or different construction.
Info About Bat Rays
- Bat rays wings are used not solely to swim, however to assist uncover buried prey like clams.
- The barb of a bat ray is just utilized in self-defense and may develop to just about 4 inches.
- Some catches have been reported to weigh over 200 kilos.
- The bat ray has enamel fused into highly effective plates that may crush sturdy clam shells.
- When consuming, it makes use of its robust jaws to crush issues like a complete clam or different mollusks in its mouth, spits out the damaged shells, after which eats the smooth, fleshy components.
- Ought to a tooth break or put on out, a alternative emerges.
- Rays regularly develop new enamel, very similar to their shark family.
Should you’ve obtained any questions on techniques or want any recommendation, be at liberty to achieve out. I’m comfortable to assist!
