I’m just learning the ropes with surf fishing and catch my first stingray today. I was wondering what most people do when that happens? I have heard some people cut the barb off but my thought was that was a bit cruel preventing it from defending itself.
I had considered leaving out as bird food bc I’m also concerned about kids getting stung.
I ended up struggling to get it off my hook bc I forgotten my pliers and was nervous about getting stung. But I eventually did (without injury) and sent it on its way.
Is there a consensus on how to handle these guys?
Other than that it was a fun night where it seemed like I was hooking up a fish almost instantaneously (all really small of course) and spending more time figuring out how to work a hook in the dark.
Next step is figuring out how to catch bigger fish.
For reference I’m in Southern California using a hi lo rig with 3oz pyramid and lug worms.
Posted by rowman25
3 Comments
Just release them, stingrays are part of the ecosystem and there’s no need to kill senselessly, unless they’re invasive. I personally do cut off the barbs on any big bat rays I catch, I leave the smaller ones intact just because they might not be able to recover as well or as quickly. Just make sure you’re cutting the barb or stinger specifically, and not chopping off the entire tail. Good luck and tight lines!
Just let it go.
Let it sting you. Become stingray-man