went fishing last Sunday 14th parked at Beachwood golf course road end and walked south about 1.5km down the beach saw a break between the sandbank in front about 60m from the beach started fishing with mixed grill sardine and chokka on a no 2 hook at about 10.30am was getting eaten off from small fish, then much later at about between 13h30 and 14h00 I changed to red eye sardine with 2/0 hook and started getting some runs, consistent occasional pulls so I picked my rod up out the holder and there was a weight on the end started reeling in and realised I was actually on and struck hook in and started bringing it in was more just a heavy weight till got him near the waters edge in the breakers and started to fight and run saw the tail and wings in the water, I battle to land it because of its weight and size and the beach slant into the water so steep and water strong backwash had to wait for water to wash up to drag it up the beach, got it half way up the beach but being on my own sukkeled to hold it from sliding back in the water and trying to turn it over to remove hook was just about impossible, I grab the line to pull him higher up the beach but it was to heavy and line snapped leaving hook in his mouth(hope will be alright felt terrible) he slid back into water and swam away, it was a Blue stingray and I honestly reckon between 15 and 20 kilos(no bull) and I browsed in my common fish book Rudy van der Elst states the record is only 24 kilos so now I know why I sukeled. Anyway long story short caught another Brown stingray +- 5kilos and had 3 other big runs unsuccesful to hook so had a excillirating and busy 3 hrs till 16h00 then went home.Sorry no photos
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Successful day with Rays at Beachwood
- Thread starter ACKarlos
- Start date
ja pity I didnt take my camera just scared to carry stuff like that down on the beach too much to carry and my cell at the time didnt have a camera function next time, had a thrill and know the spot will record photo next time wanted to fish same spot this weekend gone but was raining and miserable but water looked good next weekends a definite will let you guys know what happens
Well done!! Must have been quite an adrenalin rush. Looking forward to the summer flattie season.
General advice to those who may not be aware : Please do not turn a flattie over when attempting to remove hooks. This will cause damage to their internal organs. Do not insert fingers into their spiracles either. Very sensitive breathing area - fingers will cause damage here.
General advice to those who may not be aware : Please do not turn a flattie over when attempting to remove hooks. This will cause damage to their internal organs. Do not insert fingers into their spiracles either. Very sensitive breathing area - fingers will cause damage here.
ACKarlos wrote:
I slightly lift the front with one hand and slide the other under the fish and remove the hook fom its mouth. The "pavement" teeth of our rays/skates do not pose a danger. The one exception is the Spearnose - beware!
If one is unsure, raise the front of the fish just enough to access the mouth and gently remove the hook. If you are unable to remove the hook, cut off your line as close as possible to the hook and release the fish.
If a skate/ray is turned over and released, it appears to swim away well, however the damage to internal organs and spine will result in an eighty percent probability that it will not survive, according to the experts.
Apart from the damage incurred if it is handled by fingers in its spiracles, it can easily pick up an infection in its breathing passage.
Hope the above helps
Thks for that give us some advice what is the best way to remove the hook on such a heavy when you on your own or even if you have someone to assist
I slightly lift the front with one hand and slide the other under the fish and remove the hook fom its mouth. The "pavement" teeth of our rays/skates do not pose a danger. The one exception is the Spearnose - beware!
If one is unsure, raise the front of the fish just enough to access the mouth and gently remove the hook. If you are unable to remove the hook, cut off your line as close as possible to the hook and release the fish.
If a skate/ray is turned over and released, it appears to swim away well, however the damage to internal organs and spine will result in an eighty percent probability that it will not survive, according to the experts.
Apart from the damage incurred if it is handled by fingers in its spiracles, it can easily pick up an infection in its breathing passage.
Hope the above helps
aquadementia
Sealiner
in KZN you dont get spearnose skates (or any skates for that matter) and stingrays dont have teeth that will cut you
you can put your hand in their mouth's without worry
sounds like you had a nice afternoon! :wfish
you can put your hand in their mouth's without worry
sounds like you had a nice afternoon! :wfish
aquadementia wrote:
See Rudy van der Elst on Spearnose Skate - p65 See "Distribution" - all around SA. See "Capture" - in Cape and occasionally Natal. Note quote: "This giant ray is not infrequently hooked by surf anglers"
Take nothing for granted in the ocean and be prepared for the unexpected.
in KZN you dont get spearnose skates (or any skates for that matter) and stingrays dont have teeth that will cut you
you can put your hand in their mouth's without worry
sounds like you had a nice afternoon! :wfish
See Rudy van der Elst on Spearnose Skate - p65 See "Distribution" - all around SA. See "Capture" - in Cape and occasionally Natal. Note quote: "This giant ray is not infrequently hooked by surf anglers"
Take nothing for granted in the ocean and be prepared for the unexpected.
Thanks for the great response guys so far I am happy with this website as real people attend and respond and are true fisherman great, thanks for the advise on dehooking a ray will keep it in mind it was a shame a was alone to share with a fishing partner the nearest fisherman was about 300m away too far to walk and tell so enjoyed the moment ace out but great joining you guys here and lets talk some more you will encourage my fishing and i will surprise you with stories and visa versa so let the bit times happen:wfish
chris ferreira
New member
Nice catch man!!, I am not sure about this but won't an stingray "vegruis" your fingers?,because their mouthes is made in that way to crush crabs and other shell animals?