Caught a ray yesterday, and I was able to cut the line under my weight and only loose the hook. Anyone tips on how to removed the barb safely or how not to get stung?
If I am in my boat, I flip them upside down and step on their tail to dehook. In a yak, I cut the line and let them have the hook.
“Apathy is the Glove in Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
I am usually able to bring the head into the yak, upside down, and leave the tail in the water. With the head and body up against the yak, the mouth is right there, and usually easy to get the hook back.
Annoy a Liberal, Work Hard and Be Happy!
Just what Dolphin said. Flip them upside down against the side of the kayak and leave the tail in the water.
15’ Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro
Here’s what not to do… I was fishing out of a friend’s boat, and caught a stingray. I didn’t want to slop-up his boat so I leaned over the side and tried to put my fingers in its spiracles. Instead, I got a barb buried about 3/4" diagonally into my index finger. When I ripped it out, some of my finger-tissue came with it. Extremely painful!
Flipping it over, as Dave said, seems good, but I might just do what DFreedom suggests and cut it loose.