tips for Ray

Shore angling - everything welcome! The opinions expressed here are those of the private individuals and we accept no responsibility or liability.

Moderator: donal domeney

Message
Author
User avatar
red
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 1666
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:30 pm
Location: cork
Has thanked: 154 times
Been thanked: 176 times

tips for Ray

#1 Post by red »

hey lads.
gonna try for a ray in the next few weeks. i was wondering what rigs and hook sizes would ye recommend?

ive been told that mack, squid and sand eel work best? any other baits worth trying??

cheers,
Red.
User avatar
gfkelly1969
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 2231
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:06 am
Favourite Rod: Century Kompressor Match
Favourite Reel: Abu 6500 mag elite
Favourite Fish: conger
Location: galway http://clifdenfishing.webs.com/
Has thanked: 58 times
Been thanked: 204 times

Re: tips for Ray

#2 Post by gfkelly1969 »

i use 3 hook mackerel feathers baited with frozen mackerel works great for me,the older the mackerel the better,i have tried fresh and frozen on the same rig and always caught on the frozen
lifetime species fishing and rock pool
1 dogfish,2 whiting,3 flounder,4 two spot goby,5 mackerel,6 pollack,7 common blenny,8 European eel,9 butterfish,10 Deep-snouted pipefish,11 rock goby,12 poor cod,13 corkwing wrasse,14 coalfish,15 turbot,16 tompot blenny,17 dab,18 dragonet,19 shorerockling,20 thornback ray,21 three bearded rockling,22 sandeel,23 grey gurnard,24 sea scorpion,25 scad,26 plaice,27 ballen wrasse,28 bullhuss,29 conger eel,30 blue shark,31 blonde ray,32 cod,33 pouting,34 topknot,35 Fifteen-spine Stickleback,36 mullet,37 Sand Goby,38 Montagu's Blenny,39 Three-spined Stickleback,40 goldshinny wrasse,41 painted goby,42 five bearded rockling,43 Sand-Smelt,44 Small-headed Clingfish ,45 sole

http://clifdenfishing.webs.com

http://clifdensearay.webs.com/
260
User avatar
red
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 1666
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:30 pm
Location: cork
Has thanked: 154 times
Been thanked: 176 times

Re: tips for Ray

#3 Post by red »

cheers for that. do you use big chunks of the mack or just little strips?
User avatar
gfkelly1969
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 2231
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:06 am
Favourite Rod: Century Kompressor Match
Favourite Reel: Abu 6500 mag elite
Favourite Fish: conger
Location: galway http://clifdenfishing.webs.com/
Has thanked: 58 times
Been thanked: 204 times

Re: tips for Ray

#4 Post by gfkelly1969 »

half a mackerel is what i use
lifetime species fishing and rock pool
1 dogfish,2 whiting,3 flounder,4 two spot goby,5 mackerel,6 pollack,7 common blenny,8 European eel,9 butterfish,10 Deep-snouted pipefish,11 rock goby,12 poor cod,13 corkwing wrasse,14 coalfish,15 turbot,16 tompot blenny,17 dab,18 dragonet,19 shorerockling,20 thornback ray,21 three bearded rockling,22 sandeel,23 grey gurnard,24 sea scorpion,25 scad,26 plaice,27 ballen wrasse,28 bullhuss,29 conger eel,30 blue shark,31 blonde ray,32 cod,33 pouting,34 topknot,35 Fifteen-spine Stickleback,36 mullet,37 Sand Goby,38 Montagu's Blenny,39 Three-spined Stickleback,40 goldshinny wrasse,41 painted goby,42 five bearded rockling,43 Sand-Smelt,44 Small-headed Clingfish ,45 sole

http://clifdenfishing.webs.com

http://clifdensearay.webs.com/
260
User avatar
round_ourway
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 2539
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:44 pm
Favourite Rod: Zziplex HSM
Favourite Reel: Daiwa 7ht Turbo
Favourite Fish: Thornback Ray
Location: Belfast
Has thanked: 13 times
Been thanked: 14 times

Re: tips for Ray

#5 Post by round_ourway »

depending on where you are fishing, but up in fahan there is a fierce rip of tide so I use 6oz grippers with 2ft long snood pennel pulley rigs size 2/0 hooks, with nice fresh mackerel outa the supermarket.
try sandeel and squid aswell. I have found they sometimes dont like the mackerel and need a bit of squid or sandeel in there diet hehe.

anyways good luck and let us know how you get on!
Boca Bearings .com - Orange Seal

Practice the Impossible
User avatar
nige
Wee Hours Boss!
Posts: 1621
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:22 am
Location: was galway now landlocked and frozen Minneapolis
Has thanked: 50 times
Been thanked: 6 times

Re: tips for Ray

#6 Post by nige »

gfkelly1969 wrote:half a mackerel is what i use


what size hook are you using? I never go above a 2/0 and half a mack would last awhile
User avatar
saltydog
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 1816
Joined: Tue May 15, 2007 8:52 pm
Location: Galway / Wexford
Has thanked: 26 times
Been thanked: 20 times

Re: tips for Ray

#7 Post by saltydog »

red wrote:hey lads.
gonna try for a ray in the next few weeks. i was wondering what rigs and hook sizes would ye recommend?

ive been told that mack, squid and sand eel work best? any other baits worth trying??

cheers,
Red.


Howdy Pennel pully rigs if fishing snaggy marks. I prefer a one up one down with long snoods the baits you listed will all catch Ray and another one worth bringing is Herring it's caught me Ray many times when the others haven't been producing on the day :wink: tight lines and happy hunting :)
Shore Species 2011 (31) Ballan Wrasse, Bass, Bullhuss, Coalfish, Cod, Conger, Corkwing Wrasse, Cuckoo Ray, Dab, Dogfish, Five Bearded Rockling, Flounder, Goldsinny Wrasse, Long Spined Sea Scorpion, Mackerel, Plaice, Pollack, Poor Cod, Pouting, Rock Goby, Shanny, Shore Rockling, Short Spined Sea Scorpion, Thornback Ray, Three Bearded Rockling, Tompot Blenny, Tope, Tub Gurnard, Turbot, Undulate Ray, Whiting

Shore Species 2010 (26) - Bass, Black Goby, Bull Huss, Coalfish, Cod, Dab, Dogfish, Five Bearded Rockling, Flounder, Grey Gurnard, Lesser Weaver, Mackerel, Mullet, Plaice, Pollack, Poor cod, Pouting, Rock Goby, Shore Rockling, Silver eel, Starry Smooth Hound, Thornback Ray, Tope, Tub Gurnard, Turbot, Whiting

[url=http://galwaybuccaneerssac.com]Galway Buccaneers SAC[/url]
User avatar
boycie89
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 1290
Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:20 pm
Favourite Rod: Tronixpro Cobra
Favourite Reel: Shimano ultegra
Favourite Fish: conger/ray/huss
Location: shankill,dublin
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 7 times

Re: tips for Ray

#8 Post by boycie89 »

gfkelly1969 wrote:i use 3 hook mackerel feathers


so you use half a mack on each hook ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
species '09 - (42)

specimens 09 - twait shad 1.22kg , 3 beard rockling 2lb 6oz , whiting 3lb .
User avatar
red
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 1666
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:30 pm
Location: cork
Has thanked: 154 times
Been thanked: 176 times

Re: tips for Ray

#9 Post by red »

cheers for the info lads.
User avatar
gfkelly1969
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 2231
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:06 am
Favourite Rod: Century Kompressor Match
Favourite Reel: Abu 6500 mag elite
Favourite Fish: conger
Location: galway http://clifdenfishing.webs.com/
Has thanked: 58 times
Been thanked: 204 times

Re: tips for Ray

#10 Post by gfkelly1969 »

boycie89 wrote:
gfkelly1969 wrote:i use 3 hook mackerel feathers


so you use half a mack on each hook ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

yes half a mack on each hook,works great for me,got 18 ray in one session
lifetime species fishing and rock pool
1 dogfish,2 whiting,3 flounder,4 two spot goby,5 mackerel,6 pollack,7 common blenny,8 European eel,9 butterfish,10 Deep-snouted pipefish,11 rock goby,12 poor cod,13 corkwing wrasse,14 coalfish,15 turbot,16 tompot blenny,17 dab,18 dragonet,19 shorerockling,20 thornback ray,21 three bearded rockling,22 sandeel,23 grey gurnard,24 sea scorpion,25 scad,26 plaice,27 ballen wrasse,28 bullhuss,29 conger eel,30 blue shark,31 blonde ray,32 cod,33 pouting,34 topknot,35 Fifteen-spine Stickleback,36 mullet,37 Sand Goby,38 Montagu's Blenny,39 Three-spined Stickleback,40 goldshinny wrasse,41 painted goby,42 five bearded rockling,43 Sand-Smelt,44 Small-headed Clingfish ,45 sole

http://clifdenfishing.webs.com

http://clifdensearay.webs.com/
260
User avatar
round_ourway
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 2539
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:44 pm
Favourite Rod: Zziplex HSM
Favourite Reel: Daiwa 7ht Turbo
Favourite Fish: Thornback Ray
Location: Belfast
Has thanked: 13 times
Been thanked: 14 times

Re: tips for Ray

#11 Post by round_ourway »

gfkelly1969 wrote:
boycie89 wrote:
gfkelly1969 wrote:i use 3 hook mackerel feathers


so you use half a mack on each hook ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

yes half a mack on each hook,works great for me,got 18 ray in one session


I Dont want to come across a pain pal, but the next time you catch a ray on mackerel feathers take a picture and post it up for me. I find it hard to believe a ray caught on mackerel feathers!!
Boca Bearings .com - Orange Seal

Practice the Impossible
User avatar
fergal
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:43 pm
Location: belfast
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: tips for Ray

#12 Post by fergal »

i think he is fishing baited feathers, static on the bottom. no reason why that wouldn't work.
[img]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a298/fergal1/900238199a6770638585l.jpg[/img]
User avatar
round_ourway
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 2539
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:44 pm
Favourite Rod: Zziplex HSM
Favourite Reel: Daiwa 7ht Turbo
Favourite Fish: Thornback Ray
Location: Belfast
Has thanked: 13 times
Been thanked: 14 times

Re: tips for Ray

#13 Post by round_ourway »

fergal wrote:i think he is fishing baited feathers, static on the bottom. no reason why that wouldn't work.


I knew he was talking about baited feathers, static on the bottom from posting about using a mack fillet on each hook.
The logistics of the rig wouldnt work for any ray fishing I have ever done. considering that the snood lengths are generally 3" long and the overall length of the rig is approx 3-4ft with 4 snoods. not only would it be a nightmare trying to cast something like this more than 20yards but I have yet to see a ray ever being caught a mackerel trace. I would love to fish for rays where he is catching them.
Boca Bearings .com - Orange Seal

Practice the Impossible
User avatar
gfkelly1969
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 2231
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:06 am
Favourite Rod: Century Kompressor Match
Favourite Reel: Abu 6500 mag elite
Favourite Fish: conger
Location: galway http://clifdenfishing.webs.com/
Has thanked: 58 times
Been thanked: 204 times

Re: tips for Ray

#14 Post by gfkelly1969 »

Round_ourway wrote:
fergal wrote:i think he is fishing baited feathers, static on the bottom. no reason why that wouldn't work.


I knew he was talking about baited feathers, static on the bottom from posting about using a mack fillet on each hook.
The logistics of the rig wouldnt work for any ray fishing I have ever done. considering that the snood lengths are generally 3" long and the overall length of the rig is approx 3-4ft with 4 snoods. not only would it be a nightmare trying to cast something like this more than 20yards but I have yet to see a ray ever being caught a mackerel trace. I would love to fish for rays where he is catching them.
]you are welcome to come fishing with me and i will show you my mark
what i use is a standard 3 hook mackerel feathers rig baited with half a frozen mackerel on each hook and a 5oz beach bomb weight that can move with the tide[
lifetime species fishing and rock pool
1 dogfish,2 whiting,3 flounder,4 two spot goby,5 mackerel,6 pollack,7 common blenny,8 European eel,9 butterfish,10 Deep-snouted pipefish,11 rock goby,12 poor cod,13 corkwing wrasse,14 coalfish,15 turbot,16 tompot blenny,17 dab,18 dragonet,19 shorerockling,20 thornback ray,21 three bearded rockling,22 sandeel,23 grey gurnard,24 sea scorpion,25 scad,26 plaice,27 ballen wrasse,28 bullhuss,29 conger eel,30 blue shark,31 blonde ray,32 cod,33 pouting,34 topknot,35 Fifteen-spine Stickleback,36 mullet,37 Sand Goby,38 Montagu's Blenny,39 Three-spined Stickleback,40 goldshinny wrasse,41 painted goby,42 five bearded rockling,43 Sand-Smelt,44 Small-headed Clingfish ,45 sole

http://clifdenfishing.webs.com

http://clifdensearay.webs.com/
260
User avatar
gfkelly1969
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 2231
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:06 am
Favourite Rod: Century Kompressor Match
Favourite Reel: Abu 6500 mag elite
Favourite Fish: conger
Location: galway http://clifdenfishing.webs.com/
Has thanked: 58 times
Been thanked: 204 times

Re: tips for Ray

#15 Post by gfkelly1969 »

Round_ourway wrote:I Dont want to come across a pain pal, but the next time you catch a ray on mackerel feathers take a picture and post it up for me. I find it hard to believe a ray caught on mackerel feathers!!
the ray were caught on mackerel feathers BAITED with frozen mackerel not just mackerel feathers on their own,here it the picture to prove it works,only had the camera on the phone so not very good,to get a photo i had to put the ray on their backs
ALL RAY WERE RELEASED ALIVE AND WELL,caught 7 first and released them the rest were kept in a rock pool until the photo of the 11 was taken
Last edited by gfkelly1969 on Fri May 01, 2009 1:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
lifetime species fishing and rock pool
1 dogfish,2 whiting,3 flounder,4 two spot goby,5 mackerel,6 pollack,7 common blenny,8 European eel,9 butterfish,10 Deep-snouted pipefish,11 rock goby,12 poor cod,13 corkwing wrasse,14 coalfish,15 turbot,16 tompot blenny,17 dab,18 dragonet,19 shorerockling,20 thornback ray,21 three bearded rockling,22 sandeel,23 grey gurnard,24 sea scorpion,25 scad,26 plaice,27 ballen wrasse,28 bullhuss,29 conger eel,30 blue shark,31 blonde ray,32 cod,33 pouting,34 topknot,35 Fifteen-spine Stickleback,36 mullet,37 Sand Goby,38 Montagu's Blenny,39 Three-spined Stickleback,40 goldshinny wrasse,41 painted goby,42 five bearded rockling,43 Sand-Smelt,44 Small-headed Clingfish ,45 sole

http://clifdenfishing.webs.com

http://clifdensearay.webs.com/
260
User avatar
gfkelly1969
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 2231
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:06 am
Favourite Rod: Century Kompressor Match
Favourite Reel: Abu 6500 mag elite
Favourite Fish: conger
Location: galway http://clifdenfishing.webs.com/
Has thanked: 58 times
Been thanked: 204 times

Re: tips for Ray

#16 Post by gfkelly1969 »

nige wrote:
gfkelly1969 wrote:half a mackerel is what i use


what size hook are you using? I never go above a 2/0 and half a mack would last awhile

i think the hooks on the rig are 2/0 hooks yes the mackerel lasts awhile which is great because i can sit down and relax awhile :D
lifetime species fishing and rock pool
1 dogfish,2 whiting,3 flounder,4 two spot goby,5 mackerel,6 pollack,7 common blenny,8 European eel,9 butterfish,10 Deep-snouted pipefish,11 rock goby,12 poor cod,13 corkwing wrasse,14 coalfish,15 turbot,16 tompot blenny,17 dab,18 dragonet,19 shorerockling,20 thornback ray,21 three bearded rockling,22 sandeel,23 grey gurnard,24 sea scorpion,25 scad,26 plaice,27 ballen wrasse,28 bullhuss,29 conger eel,30 blue shark,31 blonde ray,32 cod,33 pouting,34 topknot,35 Fifteen-spine Stickleback,36 mullet,37 Sand Goby,38 Montagu's Blenny,39 Three-spined Stickleback,40 goldshinny wrasse,41 painted goby,42 five bearded rockling,43 Sand-Smelt,44 Small-headed Clingfish ,45 sole

http://clifdenfishing.webs.com

http://clifdensearay.webs.com/
260
User avatar
red
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 1666
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:30 pm
Location: cork
Has thanked: 154 times
Been thanked: 176 times

Re: tips for Ray

#17 Post by red »

looks like ive opened a can of worms here lads, and i dont mean lug or rag........
User avatar
round_ourway
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 2539
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:44 pm
Favourite Rod: Zziplex HSM
Favourite Reel: Daiwa 7ht Turbo
Favourite Fish: Thornback Ray
Location: Belfast
Has thanked: 13 times
Been thanked: 14 times

Re: tips for Ray

#18 Post by round_ourway »

I dont understand this photo. Why would you keep rays in a rock pool to take a picture of 11 rays on there backs. strangest photo I have seen of rays to be honest. anyway well done on catching rays on mackerel feathers, I dare say it was hard hauling in a full house of rays with a 5oz weight as well!!
Boca Bearings .com - Orange Seal

Practice the Impossible
User avatar
corbyeire
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 6398
Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2005 5:47 pm
Favourite Rod: The one with all eyes
Favourite Reel: The working one
Favourite Fish: Flounder
Location: G g g galway
Has thanked: 1197 times
Been thanked: 336 times

Re: tips for Ray

#19 Post by corbyeire »

gfkelly just proved that different tactics suit different locations when going for ray

18 in one day - wouldnt get near 18 in a season!

impressive
gearoid mc s.
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 1108
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2005 5:05 pm
Favourite Rod: Scorpion Sport
Favourite Reel: SHV30
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 47 times

Re: tips for Ray

#20 Post by gearoid mc s. »

at the risk of sounding like the c&r brigade (which id prefer not to) those rays all look dead to me....if you put a ray on its back it will 9 times out of 10 arch the wings and tail...all the ray in that pic are limp looking and also the purple patches on the wings are a sure sign of a ray in distress or dead..a fresh ray is always snow white underneath... the chanes that all 11 ray would "lie down" for the pic are fairly slim

off topic i know but just my opinion

rant over :D

Return to “Shore Angling Q&A / Forum”