Saw some guys pull a stingray up about halfway down the folley pier earlier today…One guy attempted to handle it and got a very nasty stab wound to his hand… Do people commonly do this with their hands or should you use extra precautions? also does anyone ever keep stingrays?
Handling one with your hands is not smart, but can be done if you know what you are doing. The wings are great shark bait.
If you must handle them, we typically turn them on their backs to remove the hook. It limits somewhat how much they can whip their tail around. They have no teeth really, more like sandpaper. The only thing that can seriously hurt you is the barb. Its got some nasty bacteria on it and will no doubt cause an infection.
Use a thick glove and control the tail if you must. As with all fish you plan to release, the less you handle them the better. If we catch one in the boat, he gets turned upside down against the outside of the boat. Pliers to remove the hook and he drops right back into the water.
People sometimes eat the wings, but it’s not common practice in the low country. Rays and skates do make excellent shark bait.
I have something similar to an arc dehooker, with an S Bend on it. Flip on their back, pop the hook out and grab them by their breathing holes. You can control their tail while they are on their back by putting a small amount of pressure on it with your foot.
I use most of them for shark bait unless I catch one with a crowd watching or kids around, so I have only released a handful. We use leadering gloves and grab them by the edge of their tail where the barb is far away and drag them backwards into the surf and then turn them once we are in ankle deep water just as we do with sharks. they swim away controlled, and safely, and you remain safe too.
For more reports and photos Like Us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/requiemfishing
Instructions on how to deal with sting ray.
Step 1- Use the net provided by the pier to bring it up.
Step 2- Once its on deck, look at the situation.
Step 3- Throw towel or rag on top of the tail to immobilize it, but please do not cut tail because it takes away its defense.
Step 4- If it swallowed the hook, cut line and while still in the net dump it back into the water.
Step 5- Use pliers to take the hook out its mouth if able and stand on the towel/tail and dump it back into the water.
Warning- maybe be hazardous to your health if not handled properly.
If using a stingray for its intended purpose. Here are the steps I would suggest:
- Land the fish.
- Step on the tail (shoes must be worn.)
- While holding the head, grab knife, and proceed to remove tail.
- Once tail is free and you are in no risk of becoming the next Steve Erwin, grab a pre-rigged liter with preferably 12-0 hooks and bait the ray.
- Place ray in the back of kayak and proceed out 200-300 yards, drop bait, return to shore and enjoy a cool adult beverage.
Note: If not using for shark bait, liberate using steps mentioned in previous post.
RIP Steve
quote:
If using a stingray for its intended purpose. Here are the steps I would suggest: 1. Land the fish. 2. Step on the tail (shoes must be worn.) 3. While holding the head, grab knife, and proceed to remove tail. 4. Once tail is free and you are in no risk of becoming the next Steve Erwin, grab a pre-rigged leader with preferably 20/0 hooks and cut the wings off leaving you 3 baits, 2 wings and 1 midsection, choose 1. 5. Place ray in the back of kayak and proceed out 200-300 yards, drop bait, return to shore and enjoy a cool adult beverage.Note: If not using for shark bait, liberate using steps mentioned in previous post.
RIP Steve
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>12/0’s are for surf baits :P, kayaking a piece of ray or a whole one depending on the size with a 12/0 sounds like heart break.
For more reports and photos Like Us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/requiemfishing