South Coast Skate & Rays Survey

Crusty · #1 03-04-2005, 03:47 PM

Received a survey today. In summary they are asking clubs if they have any data relating to ray catches along the south coast over the last year or two. Reason being they are trying to assess the impact of aggregates extraction in the area.

Such areas are considered as favourable habitat for rays and their prey as well as possible nursery grounds.

Anyone noticed any trends that they would like me to relay?

From my perspective, I think the population of rays is increasing, small eyed ray specifically. I have caught a lot more juvenile fish (less than 2 lb) in the last year or two than previous years despite using the same tactics.

I will pass on any feedback within my reply.

Thanks, Chris

murp · #2 10-07-2005, 06:15 PM

hi anyone tell me best set up for scate in river thames much abblieged anyone

Drew · #3 10-07-2005, 06:22 PM

Hi Murp,

Welcome to the Forum.

A 6ft trace of 40lb Amnesia with a 6/0 hook and a whole Squid should suffice.

Cheers

Drew

Charter Skipper · #4 10-07-2005, 06:35 PM

welcome to the forum,add a sandeel to the squid and make an even deadlier ray bait....

murp · #5 10-07-2005, 07:08 PM

cheers mike and drew nice one

murp · #6 10-07-2005, 07:12 PM

have got a problem with bass keep catching schoolys and now the bigs stuff is there because of the bbits usaing lug rag and crab two feet trace no beads but can not get anything over two pound fishing maplin sands

Ben · #7 10-07-2005, 09:21 PM

2lb better than nothing mate

murp · #8 10-11-2005, 06:51 AM

yes ben i agree but can not help thinking that the big stuff is there and i was doing some thing rong and was trying to be a better bass fisherman

Portland Pirate · #9 10-11-2005, 11:31 AM

You need big baits to catch big fish if there are a lot of small ones around.
I use whole squid or a Mackerel head about 20yds out.

Portland Pirate · #10 10-11-2005, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusty

Received a survey today. In summary they are asking clubs if they have any data relating to ray catches along the south coast over the last year or two. Reason being they are trying to assess the impact of aggregates extraction in the area.

Such areas are considered as favourable habitat for rays and their prey as well as possible nursery grounds.

Anyone noticed any trends that they would like me to relay?

From my perspective, I think the population of rays is increasing, small eyed ray specifically. I have caught a lot more juvenile fish (less than 2 lb) in the last year or two than previous years despite using the same tactics.

I will pass on any feedback within my reply.

Thanks, Chris

Hi Chris.

It is interesting that you say that you think the Ray situation is improving. I would agree with you on the small eye front. However we have seen a significant decrease in Thornback Ray catches from the Weymouth boats.

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