Spot and stalk rays

[kbetts]

Being raised on the Delaware Bay, stingrays are a common sight.  Over the years it seems as if the numbers have really jumped.  Occasionally, you can find some guys in the Rehoboth Bay area shooting them from pontoon boats as the water is much clearer than what we find in our neck of the woods.  A local archery shop owner has been taking manufacturer reps lately and the sport is really on the verge of blowing up around here.

It's become practice for my brother and I to take the kids to the beach we grew up on, on Sundays as we are allowed to drive on the sand and it so much easier than carrying everything.  For a couple of months we were seeing rays surface pretty close to the beach.........and the wheels started to turn.  

A week ago the tide was right (low) and the bay conditions perfect (dead calm) for our first attempt at spot and stalk rays.  Talk about an absolute riot.  Three shots yielded two nice cow nose rays.  Standing in the water with them can be touchy so next time we are going to carry a six foot step ladder in case we need to get out quickly.  Mine was head shot and came right at me.......good thing Crocs float cause I was out of them in a hurry.

We could have hammered a dozen or so, but we heard they were wonderful table fare so we spent time running each one up to my Dad's house to clean and put on ice.  So far we haven't found a recipe that doesn't work.  We were cautioned by my cousin (professional chef) that they spoil easy due to the lack of a urinary (endocrine?) system.  

The conditions haven't been too good lately but we're marking the calendar for the next low tide/west wind combo.  Something about being 200 yards offshore, walking down a 30# ray that I find pretty cool.  Next trip we I will take some better pics and hopefully have my Go Pro on.

Little bro got the first one.

 

.....but mine was a little bigger.......and the shot, much better.

 

[wvtradbow]

Thats awesome,me and my wife was just at Ocean City Maryland and I grabbed a brochure for a guy that guides bowfishing for rays for the next trip.I heard they taste a lot like scallops but I would have no idea how to clean one..

[Pete McMiller]

Nice job, that'd be a blast.  Another Chessie fan I see  

[kbetts]

I once had a lab.......I will now forever have a Chesapeake.....the most kind hearted, smart, loyal friend a guy can have.....when they are raised correctly.

If you were in OC, you were in the heart of excellent ray country.  Cleaning is easy.......trace down the back bone with a sharp knife till you hit cartilage and cut off just like a fish fillet, flip and do the same to the bottom.  Skin and you're done.

[Pete McMiller]

Yep, neat dogs.  I've had thirteen dogs in my life including 3 chessies.  Two of them will always be on the top of the heap.

Are the rays spooky or fairly easy to walk up on?

[kbetts]

As far as rays being spooky, it doesn't seem so.  There were a few families out on large rafts and the rays would frequently zip by them.  Most of the time you could see them cruising along with their wing tips just out of the water......this is how we would typically spot them.. The will carry on quite a bit when in pairs or in a group so we experimented with slapping the water to bring them closer.  My dog walked along with me and played around so I'm guessing if anything, the noise might spark their interest......just have to grab the dog when you hit one cause he really seemed like he wanted to retrieve it lol.

Cool! I want to bowfish for rays someday!

Congrats,

Bisch

[gringol]

Cool.

Chessies are the most underrated dog on earth.  They are absolutely amazing and will eat a Labrador's lunch 7 days a week.  When im ready for a dog again it'll be another chessie.  Does yours grin at you when you get home?

[kbetts]

I've seen ones that smile more, but yes, he does grin at me.  What really cracks me up is the way he talks when he wants something.  Don't think for a second they don't understand English.......I believe he'd carry on quite a conversation with me if I could understand him like he does me.  At 3 years, he is waaaay more advanced than my lab was at 10.......and I don't have all that ridiculous energy to deal with.  He'll work and play, but just as well sit at Dad's feet until it's time.

I could go on and on about a Chessy.  Back to the rays!

[ChuckC]

can someone do a "clean along" on a ray some time.  I would like to see how to clean one as well as what to cut off (barb / stinger).
Thanks
ChuckC

[The Ole' Bowhunter]

Kyle, nice  shooting.  I spent the greater part of last winter in Apollo Beach, Florida and my buddy and I managed to shoot a few rays. Be, ieve it or not, we also managed to shoot a few nice mullet as well.  It was a blast for sure.

[nineworlds9]

I grew up gigging southern stingrays and clear nose skates from the bow of a skiff polling in clear water among my many fishing exploits.  Shooting the rays looks like a blast!  You basically just eat the wings.  Just find where they end along the body, trim em off there and skin em out and then cut the meaty portions away from the cartilage endoskeleton.  If you're more brave you can dissect additional meat from the body but the wings are what you want.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

That looks like a  hoot.  Congrats on your Rays.

[stiknstringer]

I think another good place to go is the Wye River but you would need a boat and there's a ramp fee.

[J-dog]

Ther #ers have jumped! have not ever bow shot em but you got my wheels turning. There is so many of em - they make imitation scallops out the wings, how do y'all fix yours?

[The Ole' Bowhunter]

Kyle, nice  shooting.  I spent the greater part of last winter in Apollo Beach, Florida and my buddy and I managed to shoot a few rays. Be, ieve it or not, we also managed to shoot a few nice mullet as well.  It was a blast for sure.

[kbetts]

Some were breaded and fried, some grilled.  The meat is firm and easy to work with as long as it's cool.  Ray is like shark, not a long shelf life.

As a side note, my family has a one room beach house here besides the one I grew up in.  It's been my thought to try to offer a St. Jude's get away.  I haven't looked at a calendar or a tide chart for the coming year, but we know now that the window of opportunity is greater than what we first believed.  Stay tuned.......we'll see what we can work out.  Not to mention we have the famous Dogfish Brewery about 15 minutes away.

[Homebru]

Originally posted by kbetts:
Some were breaded and fried, some grilled.  The meat is firm and easy to work with as long as it's cool.  Ray is like shark, not a long shelf life.

As a side note, my family has a one room beach house here besides the one I grew up in.  It's been my thought to try to offer a St. Jude's get away.  I haven't looked at a calendar or a tide chart for the coming year, but we know now that the window of opportunity is greater than what we first believed.  Stay tuned.......we'll see what we can work out.  Not to mention we have the famous Dogfish Brewery about 15 minutes away.

Fresh 90-Minute IPA and some stingrays?  Where's the "buy it now" button?
homembru

[kbetts]

I'm a 90 minute man myself......