Blonde Ray

The Blonde Ray (in Poole Bay)

Identification Records Bait Tackle

UNDERRATED

Possibly one of the most underrated species in our waters, the Blonde Ray offers

the best chance of catching one of our larger species of rays, and it’s

different to other rays in that the Blonde will produce a healthy fight. So,

read more about identifying a Blonde, it’s habits, and tactics for catching

this wonderful creature.

IDENTIFICATION

The top side varies in colour from light fawn to brown with many small black

spots which notably extend to the edges of the wings. There are also a few larger

creamy spots. Underside is white.

Adults have their backs covered with prickles, and have spines only on the tail.

The young have prickles just on the front edge of the wings, and spines that

run down the back onto the tail. Eyes are large and the snout is short.

RECORDS

The PBSBAC record currently stands at 28lb (12.7kg)

and is jointly shared by Trevor Rowlands, John Peck, and Peter Peck, all caught

during 1994.

The Wessex Region Specimen weight, which we use for Poole Bay

area, is 23lb 8oz.

The British Boat Record is 38lb 9oz (17.491kg)

held by Mr I. Dobson, caught at the Overfalls by the Nab Tower off the Isle

of Wight, during 2000

.

The British Shore Record is 32lb 8oz (14.743kg)

both caught in the Channel Islands and is jointly held by C. M. Reeves caught

at Mannez Targets, Alderney in 1986, and K. Frain caught at Grosnez, Jersey

in 1994.

The National Minimum Landing Size is 41cm measured wing tip

to wing tip.

HABITAT

Blondes will typically frequent sand banks, especially banks with a minimum depth of 30ft that have steep slopes into deeper water, but can be found wherever there is sand or slight rough ground.

The Blonde is a very powerful fish, and uses this power to remain active across the whole range of the tide. Unlike other rays, it does not seek shelter from the tide, so do not confine your fishing just to the down-tide side of a bank. The larger females are often caught on the uptide side of the bank in the direct tidal flow.

Marks in Poole Bay include the Dolphin Bank, the banks off Swanage, the Gravel Bank on the Slates, and the bank off Southbourne/Hengistbury Head. Smaller Blondes are also caught in the shallower waters off Ballard cliffs just east of Swanage.

WHEN

Although Rays are regarded as summer species this seems to be untrue of Blondes in our regional waters, as they can be caught throughout the year. February to May is generally a dead time for many species, but this is the time when many of the larger Blondes are caught. It?s believed that breeding occurs in September when the rays congregate on the banks. A few months later in February the large, pregnant females begin to be caught.

As mentioned earlier, Blondes are not afraid of the tide, so neaps or springs are not generally critical. In fact, if you are prepared to stick it out with 2lb leads during the spring tides, many of the better specimens are caught at this time.

BAIT

By far and away the best bait is Blast Frozen Sandeel (Ammo extra large) or if you can get them fresh Launce (better after they are frozen). When the fish are really going for it, squid and mackerel work equally as well. Combinations of Sandeel and squid, Launce and Squid or Mackerel and Squid also work well when the fish baits are scarce. Other baits that has taken Blondes include Pout fillets.

TACTICS

Because the Blondes stay in the tidal flow, they like a moving bait, so choose a fairly long flowing trace and a lead weight appropriate to the tide that just allows the lead to bounce gently along the bottom.

One of the tactics is to use a Solid-C rod aboard a small fishing boat like "maverick"

Anchor yourself uptide of the bank and allow the bait to move back onto the bank, up the slope and over to the other side, if possible. Try to cover as much of the width of the bank until you find where the fish are. A slight lifting of the rod tip allows the lead to rise off the bottom and drift back with the tide.

When a bite occurs you will often feel a few light bumps on the line. This is the ray finding the bait and then lying on top of it before actually ingesting the meal. Do not strike yet! Allow the bite to develop and wait until the rod tips bends hard over or the ray starts to move off with the bait. Then a lifting of the rod into the fish is all that is needed to set the hook.

Once hooked, the Blonde will typically surge off on a few short but powerful runs, so be prepared to adjust the clutch after the initial strike. As the ray lifts off the bottom it will then use its? wings to hang in the tide and use the power of the tidal flow. It?s then a case of hauling the ray in. Be prepared for another surging run as it nears the boat or net.

TACKLE

Keeping in mind that Blondes can reach 30lb+ and are often taken in fast tidal flows, a 20-30lb class downtider rod matched to an Penn 225, Shimano TLD15/20 or similar, is the norm. End tackle usually consists of a 4 to 6 ft flowing trace with a strong 6/0 hook, like the Varvivas Big Mouth or the Mustard Viking 79515.

However, we would recommend using 50lb class tackle when fishing deeper marks (80ft +)

with a large tide run (when using 1.5 lbs of lead and up). It?s happened more than once where 30lb class gear is just not up to the job.The line invariably parts and a lovely fish is sent back to the bottom with a trace, hook and 2lb of lead still attached.

LASTLY

A beautiful fish, perhaps underrated, that gives a lot of sporting pleasure, and is a valuable asset to our regional species. Like most species, Blonde Ray populations have been severely affected by inshore trawling, so, wherever possible, please return the fish, especially during the breeding season in September, and when the pregnant females are around between February and March.

Enjoy your sport but respect the species and protect the future.

Acknowledgements

Rob Thompson - Skipper of Manta Ray out of Lymington.