Do you try and get your hook back or just cut it loose? Or… do you try and keep them for some reason? Every time we end up with a ray on the end of the line the mood changes from excitement for the catch to disappointment for having to deal with it.
If its a big one that puts up a fight, I’m ok with just cutting my leader and convince myself it was worth it. But if its a little one stealing my bait I just get angry because I typically just cut them loose rather than risk getting the tail.
Kind of depends… but I know the disappointed feeling when you find what’s on the other end of the line. If I’m fishing close to my friends house I save a couple and put them in his crab pots or throw them in his bait freezer for later use in them. If I do this I cut the tail off. If not and I am able to grab the hook with the pliers I usually shake the hook out(careful of the tail) some times using a knife to assist, if the hooks swallowed then I just cut the line.
If you chose to kill them all I doubt you would upset any of the fishermen on this sight.
I know a guy who recently had one pop him on the meaty side of his hand while trying to get the hook back…after stitches and infection I know what he will do with every other ray he happens to catch…hooks will rust out in about the same time as it takes your nasty wound to heal…
If the hook looks like it will be relatively easy to get out we might try and use an oar to hold the ray backside to the boat and wiggle it out, but I still get really nervous trying that. I just don’t know that its worth it.
Been hit by one; leg swelled up…looked like a pony keg.
However, I just catch them in the net, step on the tail (or use side of net), and use pliers to pull the hook. I don’t kill things I don’t eat, and the risk of getting hit while they are in the net is acceptably low to me.
If you have on shoes/flops and are worried about the tail,step on the area where the tail meets the body,rght on top of the barb and it won’t get you.I have done this all my life and it works for me.If’n you dont like that method,stick with what you like.
whenever we pull one in the boat the best way i found to get the hook out is flip him on his back step on him and take pliers and yank out the hook. If you are fishing for sharks they say ray is great bait cut the wings off and throw the rest of the ray back in the water and cut the wings up in big enough chunks to put on the hook or if it is a small enough ray cut the tail off and use the whole thing as bait.
I have been hit by a stingray before in the arm right below the wrist. Made my whole arm feel like it was on fire. When ever I catch the smaller rays I cut them up and use them for shark bait.
I just take the pliers and snap the barb while it is in the net then go from there- when I was a kid we would catch the small ones for shark/jewfish bait and just cut the whole tail off at the body and throw them in the live well.
Lots of folks in Florida eat the darn things. They are actually not bad, tastes like scallops. You remove the wings, skin and fry. Larges ones are better. Personally, I use a long handled de-hooker and release. I would be careful not matter which method you use. I released a small one several years ago in FL using the pliers, “grip and flip” mode. Lil bastr*d nicked me one the way to freedom. Hurt like hell and I still have a small dark spot on my hand.
I was wondering about how many people eat stingrays around here i have heard they taste pretty good i just might try and cook one up one day. How many of yall like to eat stingray?
Each to their own, however I took a hit in me Hand last year and still have mild Nerve damage, I have to shake my hand a few times to make it feel normal, be careful.
never eaten a sting ray but skates are good eating…flakey like trigger but not as firm. Takes patience when cleaning the wings but I enjoy them a few times a year when a gigg night goes sour. try it
I know a fellow that rolls them over on their back, rubs their belly and talks to them while removing the hook…never been popped. Lynn, you out there?
Long Enuff
That’s right, but you have to talk sweet to 'em. It may be a bunch of coincidences, but it has worked for me everytime! It is amazing how they just settle down and hang their tail down while I talk sweet, even while I am yanking on the hook. Never been tagged, yet! Knock on wood…
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I was wondering about how many people eat stingrays around here i have heard they taste pretty good i just might try and cook one up one day. How many of yall like to eat stingray?
180cc Sea Pro
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good luck eating them…they taste BAD!! even if you follow the directions offered by those that say they taste good, namely soaking them in milk. THere’s way too much urea in them and they have a terrible texture.
It may be a bunch of coincidences, but it has worked for me everytime! It is amazing how they just settle down and hang their tail down while I talk sweet, even while I am yanking on the hook. Never been tagged, yet!
Knock on wood…
