What is the best bait for Bat Ray?

The best bait for catching Bat Rays: Squid: Squid is highly effective due to its scent and durability on the hook. It can be used whole or in strips. Mackerel: Mackerel’s oily flesh releases a strong scent trail, attracting Bat Rays from a distance. Anchovies: These small, oily fish are also excellent for creating a strong scent in the water. Sardines: Similar to anchovies, sardines are oily and produce a good scent trail. Shrimp: Fresh or frozen shrimp can be used, though they may not be as durable on the hook as squid or fish. Crab: Small crabs or crab parts can be effective, particularly in areas where Bat Rays naturally feed on them.

How's the bite of Bat Ray?

The bite of a Bat Ray can be distinct and interesting. Here’s what you can expect: Initial Detection: Bat Rays often approach bait cautiously. Initially, you might notice subtle movements or slight taps on your line as they investigate the bait. Soft Pulls: If using a rod and reel setup, you might feel soft, steady pulls rather than sharp, jerky bites. Bat Rays use their broad pectoral fins to hover over the bait and may suck it up from the bottom. Gradual Take: Once the Bat Ray decides to take the bait, the line may start to steadily pull away as the ray swims off with the bait. This is typically not an explosive strike but a firm, consistent pull. Strong, Steady Run: After realizing it’s hooked, a Bat Ray often makes a powerful, steady run. It can strip a considerable amount of line from your reel due to its strength and the way it uses its broad body to generate resistance in the water. Heavy Weight: During the fight, you will feel a substantial, heavy weight on your line. Bat Rays can dig into the bottom with their flat bodies, making it feel like you’re pulling up a solid, unmoving object at times.

How do I land Bat Ray?

1. Handling the Bat Ray: Avoid the Tail: Bat Rays have a venomous spine on their tail. Be cautious and avoid the tail to prevent injury. Support the Body: If possible, support the ray’s body by lifting it from underneath, avoiding the tail area. Do not lift the ray by the tail or gills. Use Gloves: Wearing gloves can provide a better grip and protect your hands from the ray’s rough skin. 2. Removing the Hook: Use Long-Nose Pliers: Use long-nose pliers to safely remove the hook from the ray’s mouth. Cut the Line if Necessary: If the hook is deeply embedded and difficult to remove, it’s better to cut the line close to the hook rather than causing more harm to the ray. 3. Releasing the Bat Ray: Revive the Ray: If the ray appears exhausted, hold it in the water and gently move it back and forth to allow water to flow over its gills. Ensure It Swims Away Strongly: Only release the ray when it shows strong signs of swimming on its own. Handle bat rays carefully. Limit the time the fish is out of the water and take necessary precautions with the sharp tail and teeth. If deeply hooked, cut the line close to the mouth rather than removing the hook to prevent injury to the fish.

Bat Rays (Myliobatis californica) inhabit a range extending from the warm waters of the Gulf of California northward to Yaquina Bay, Oregon along the eastern Pacific coast. They are commonly found in diverse coastal habitats, including the productive waters of Bahia Magdalena in southern Baja California, and the estuarine environments of Arcata Bay and Humboldt Bay in northern California. These rays prefer sandy or muddy bottoms where they can bury themselves during the day, becoming more active at night when they are often lured by scent trails and baited hooks. Anglers frequenting these areas often encounter Bat Rays while fishing for a variety of other species in these rich marine ecosystems.

The Bat Ray has a broad, flat body with wing-like pectoral fins, giving it a bat-like appearance. These rays can reach up to about 1.8 meters in width. They have sharp teeth, which they use to crush the shells of their prey.

Habitat and Distribution: Bat Rays are found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, primarily along the coast from California to the Gulf of California and as far south as Peru. They typically inhabit shallow coastal waters, often in sandy or muddy bottoms, bays, and estuaries. They are commonly found in areas with seagrass beds and coral reefs.

Diet: Bat Rays mainly feed on crustaceans such as crabs, mollusks, and small fish. They use their strong teeth to crush the shells of their prey.

Reproduction: Bat Rays are ovoviviparous, meaning that the eggs hatch inside the mother’s body and the young are born live.

Behavior: Bat Rays are generally peaceful creatures. However, they can have a venomous spine on their tail, which they use for defense if threatened.

Conservation Status: Bat Rays are not considered threatened overall, though they can be locally affected by habitat destruction and pollution. They play an important role in their ecosystem by helping to control the populations of the animals they prey on.

Fishing for Bat Rays: Bat Rays can be caught year-round, but the best times are during the warmer months when they are more active. They are usually found in shallow, calm waters, often near aquatic vegetation. When fishing for Bat Rays, use heavy-duty equipment due to their size and strength. Standard lure rods can be used, and a heavy steel leader is recommended because of their sharp teeth. Use high-quality gear to avoid losing a catch due to inferior equipment.

Largest Bat Ray: The largest recorded Bat Ray was captured off the coast of California, weighing approximately 200 pounds (91 kg). However, such sizes are rare, and most Bat Rays caught are significantly smaller.

Additional Tips: For gear, a heavy rod and reel with a strong drag system are essential. Dyneema or braided line is ideal due to its strength and low stretch. Use single hooks for better penetration and easier unhooking. Be prepared with long-nose pliers, a cloth to cover the ray’s eyes, and all necessary fishing trip gear.

Where to catch Bat Ray?

Bat Rays are typically found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, particularly along the coast of California. Key locations include:

San Francisco Bay: One of the prime spots for catching Bat Rays, especially around piers and jetties.
Monterey Bay: Another popular area where Bat Rays are frequently encountered.
Southern California: Coastal regions such as Santa Monica Bay and San Diego Bay are also good spots for Bat Ray fishing.

Habitat Preferences:

Shallow Coastal Waters: Bat Rays prefer shallow, coastal waters with sandy or muddy bottoms.
Bays and Estuaries: These areas are ideal, as they often contain the seagrass beds and coral reefs where Bat Rays like to feed.
Near Aquatic Vegetation: Areas with abundant seagrass beds provide both food and shelter for Bat Rays.

Best Time to Fish:

Warmer Months: The best time to catch Bat Rays is during the warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall. They are more active and easier to locate during this period.
Tidal Movements: Fishing during incoming or outgoing tides can increase your chances of success, as Bat Rays tend to follow the tide in search of food.

Fishing Techniques:

Gear: Use heavy-duty fishing gear due to the size and strength of Bat Rays. A sturdy rod and reel with a strong drag system are essential.
Bait: Natural baits such as squid, anchovies, or small fish work well. Ensure the bait is securely attached, as Bat Rays have strong, crushing jaws.
Location Strategy: Look for Bat Rays in calm, shallow waters near the shore. They are often found in areas with less current and plenty of food sources.

How to catch Bat Ray?

Chumming: Bat Rays have a keen sense of smell, which can be used to lure them. A popular method is using a “ruby dubby” – a fine-mesh bag filled with ground, oily fish. Attach this bag to an anchor line so it hangs above the seabed. Tugging the bag periodically releases a scent trail that attracts the rays. Replace the bag every few hours as the current washes out the smaller particles, leaving only larger pieces.
Chumming Caution: Be aware that other fish, such as sharks, might tear apart the bag. Using a wire mesh cage can help prevent this.

Fishing from shore for smaller Bat Rays:

Rods and Reels: Use a standard surf rod. For larger Bat Rays, consider using heavier gear. The bait should stay on or near the bottom, so adjust the weight accordingly – use anchored weights during rising tides and smooth weights during falling tides.
Leaders: Fluorocarbon lines are sufficient for smaller rays. A single hook line yields better results than multiple hook setups.
Rigs:
- Rig 1: Designed for good casting with an impact shield to protect the hook.
- Rig 2: A straight setup with a side line and a shock absorber spring, with a 70 cm bait line.
- Rig 3: A simple sliding rig with a panel rig for clear bite detection.

Fishing from a boat for Bat Ray:

Equipment for Large Rays:
- Rod and Reel: Use a good boat rod, preferably a longer uptide model, with a reel or spinning reel.
- Line: Braided line with a breaking strength of 30-40 kg, with at least 150 meters of line.
- Rig: A sliding sinker rig with a single hook. Use enough weight to keep the bait on the bottom – 90 grams in low current, up to 200 grams in strong tides.
- Leader: Steel cable with a minimum breaking strength of 30 kg to withstand the ray’s teeth. For more selective rays, use thick fluorocarbon leaders of at least 70 kg.
Fishing techniques for large Bat Rays:
- Positioning: Place the baited hook in the scent trail, keeping the line slightly taut for direct contact. Bat Rays often swim just above the bottom, settling over the bait before taking it.
- Hooking and Fighting: Once the ray takes the bait, set the hook firmly and immediately try to gain a few meters of line to lift the ray off the bottom. If the ray burrows in, pluck the taut line like a guitar string to irritate and move the ray. Maintain tension and patience to eventually tire the ray out.
- Landing: Bring the ray to the surface gradually. Avoid handling the ray’s tail directly; using gloves is recommended. If necessary, remove the spine before unhooking the ray for safety.

Fishing tips for Skates:

Depth and Current: Fish for skates in deeper, strong currents, but they can also be found in shallower waters. Use heavier gear, including a big-game harness and a flexible short boat rod in the 50-80 lb class.
Line and Leader: Use braided or nylon lines with at least 30 kg breaking strength. Opt for a 150 lb fluorocarbon leader for minimal damage or a short steel leader with high breaking strength.
Bait: Mackerel is commonly used, but skates are not picky eaters and will take a variety of baits.
Hooking: Strike quickly after the bite to avoid the fish swallowing the hook deeply. If the skate misses the hook, it will likely return to take the bait again.

Conservation:

Handle skates carefully, using a gaff on the side of the wing to minimize damage. Limit the time the fish is out of the water and take necessary precautions with the sharp tail and teeth. If deeply hooked, cut the line close to the mouth rather than removing the hook to prevent injury to the fish.

Biggest Bat Ray?

“The largest ever recorded alligator gar was a 327-pound (148 kg) behemoth that was captured in Mississippi in 2011, David said. But that individual was accidentally caught in a fishing net and so does not count as an IGFA record, he added.”

Source: LiveScience

1. Handling the Bat Ray:

Avoid the Tail: Bat Rays have a venomous spine on their tail. Be cautious and avoid the tail to prevent injury.
Support the Body: If possible, support the ray’s body by lifting it from underneath, avoiding the tail area. Do not lift the ray by the tail or gills.
Use Gloves: Wearing gloves can provide a better grip and protect your hands from the ray’s rough skin.

2. Removing the Hook:

Use Long-Nose Pliers: Use long-nose pliers to safely remove the hook from the ray’s mouth.
Cut the Line if Necessary: If the hook is deeply embedded and difficult to remove, it’s better to cut the line close to the hook rather than causing more harm to the ray.

3. Releasing the Bat Ray:

Revive the Ray: If the ray appears exhausted, hold it in the water and gently move it back and forth to allow water to flow over its gills.
Ensure It Swims Away Strongly: Only release the ray when it shows strong signs of swimming on its own.

Handle bat rays carefully. Limit the time the fish is out of the water and take necessary precautions with the sharp tail and teeth. If deeply hooked, cut the line close to the mouth rather than removing the hook to prevent injury to the fish.