Thornback Rays Advice.

[Bluesbro]

Hi all hows it going?

Can anyone tell me where is the best spot on the island to catch rays off the beach? I have tried at the green car park at leysdown and also at warden bay but without luck! Not sure if im doing anything wrong or whether im just s*!t out of luck! Been runing a pennel rig low to the lead with some 3/0 kamasans on a 16in snood to give it some movement. Been baiting up with sandeel, ragworm and razorfish but still yet to get a bite! Am I fishing in the wrong spot or during the wrong conditions or is it just this spat of cold weather we are having holding the fish back? Been fishing in a light south westerly wind for them.

Any help much appreciated as always


Cheers...Joe

[wellyfish]

sounds like you got the right set up ,maybe there just not around that area i always use crab or mackeral baits !!

[Bluesbro]

Makeral baits eh? how much do ya use? a whole side or just a little chuck? I am still waiting for the crabs to start peeling atm before i give them a try, none of the local bait shops seem to have any yet! I have been told of a spot on the isle of sheppy that you need to walk down some cliffs to get to that is supposed to be good but can`t find it, not even on a map! Was also thinking of going round reculver or minis bay but last yr i went there and caught the best part of at least a ton of weed and ended up giving up cos it was neigh on impossible to fish there.

[wellyfish]

i normally use a piece about 4inches long ,slice into the mackie then down to the tail then just hook through once right at the end of the tail flesh side first , the bait wont twist or move ...

[Bluesbro]

Ahh will give it a go mate. I think I may have been a bit tight on the maky in the past lol! How long will it hold its flavour for in the sea? 20mins or will it last longer? Im never sure with fish baits how long they will last.

Cheers

Joe

[wellyfish]

i only use the freshest of mackeral not the frozen crap you get in the tackle shops and change it every 15 mins ....

[Bluesbro]

Originally Posted by wellyfish

i only use the freshest of mackeral not the frozen crap you get in the tackle shops and change it every 15 mins ....

Ah I have been using frozen ammo maks! Maybee thats where im going wrong. Will try and source some fresh ones for nxt time i go

[wellyfish]

just to put the record straight im not knocking ammo baits as i use there sand eels and other baits ,i just think fresh mackeral is far superior

[nickthenovice]

There is little comparrison between frozen and fresh mackeral. After its been frozen the flesh just seems to break down up on thawing which makes it harder to bait up with. Fresh mackeral is a different texture altogether and goes on the hook so much easier and seems to stand up to casting a lot more too.
I find that the most difficult thing to do with frozen mackeral is to cut it into smaller peices after it has thawed out as it just seems to tear or fall apart.
I did use some ammo frozen fillets whilst huss hunting recently and I found that they were ok used as a whole fillet and actually not too bad when cut with sharp scissors into smaller peices, that has contradicted what I 've already said but I think firstly that Ammos process of fast freezing is gonna be more effective than just throwing a dozen mackeral in to your domestic freezer and secondly it would probably be worthwhile filleting your mackeral
prior to freezing them rather than gutting them and just freezing them down whole.
I am sure that others will have different opinions based on their personal experiences and preferences.
One last point. I recently read on this forum about using fresh sardine as bait.
I tried it and found it to be good and its cheap and readily available from most supermarkets.

[pandora]

Fresh Herring works well on the Island.

I think you can catch Thorn backs from near the Jetty in Sheerness, Ship on shore, Eastchurch Gap, Warden Bay & the green car park.

It may be a little early yet (to cold in shallow water)!

Hope this helps

PS best bait last year were Sand eels.