Rely on these rays for angling action.
A widespread species of ray, these fish can be relied on for good sport during much of the year
Traditionally, thornback rays start to make an appearance during the early spring and are one of several species that confirm longer days and warmer weather are on the way, but they seem to be caught for much of the year now. They are a favourite species with boat anglers, not least because in many areas thornbacks are relatively easy to catch. In addition, as with most of the various other species of ray caught around the British Isles, thornbacks have a decent average size, probably between 6-12lb, and guaranteed to put a healthy bend in your rod.
Widespread around the British Isles, the most productive areas for thornbacks include the Thames Estuary, Solent, various estuaries throughout the South West of the country, the Bristol Channel, Irish Sea and the various deep sea-lochs off the West Coast of Scotland. In the South East of the UK, thornback rays are widely referred to as roker.
My most recent trip was in the last week of December aboard the private boat Happy Days, out of Cardiff Bay (pictured below).
Thornbacks can be caught over a wide range of seabed, but are most consistently found in areas where the bottom is a mix of mud and sand interspersed with patches of rougher ground, and especially in coloured water typically found within the vicinity of estuaries.
TACKLE AND RIG
The optimum tackle to use for thornbacks will be dictated by the ground and depth of water you are fishing. Given that the species is especially common throughout the lower reaches of estuaries, areas that invariably are subjected to a fast run of tide, uptiding is an especially popular technique.
In deeper water (in excess of around 80ft), fishing downtide with braid becomes the technique of choice with many ray anglers. The key when targeting thornback rays is in ensuring that at all times your bait is fishing stationary and hard on the seabed. Thornbacks are a lethargic species of fish, and are not inclined to actively chase their food.
The running leger is the perfect rig for both uptide and downtide fishing for rays. Start with a boom sliding on either the mainline or leader, followed by a bead, which acts as a buffer against the leader knot, and then a small, strong, swivel. Attach the hooklength (around 3-6ft of 60-80lb monofilament) to the other side of the swivel.
Unless there are other species around, such as tope or spurdogs, which are likely to take a bait, wire is unnecessary because thornbacks do not have teeth. They do have incredibly strong jaws that are designed for crushing shellfish, and will make short work of thin monofilament.
Depending on the type and size of bait, the hooklength should terminate in either a single hook or a Pennell rig (two hooks in tandem on the hooklength). Hooks such as Sakuma 545 Manta Extra in size 4/0 to 6/0 are perfect. The body profile of all rays means they offer considerable resistance in a run of tide, which can result in inadequate hooks either straightening out or snapping under the pressure.
BAIT CHOICE
Thornback rays can be, and often are, caught on any type of bait. Fish-based baits are especially effective, with a long, thin fillet or chunk of mackerel popular choice.
Herring, sandeels, Bluey, launce and any other type of oily fish will tempt plenty of rays, but with the disadvantage that they also attract lots of dogfish.
All types of shellfish are also very effective, especially razorfish, clams and mussels. Over rougher ground, and especially if fishing in coloured water within estuaries, peeler crabs are very effective. Squid and cuttlefish both catch plenty of thornback rays in most areas, and worm baits, especially king rag, fished as a cocktail with squid, also works well.
THE METHOD
Fishing for thornbacks is invariably a waiting game. Having located a good mark, you should be prepared to cast out or drop back your baits, and then wait.
Of course, sometimes you will catch fish almost immediately, while at other times it will take a while for the fish to respond to the combined scent trail of several baits washing downtide. The first run of a flood tide and the last push of the ebb, plus the periods over slack water, are key bite times in many areas.
When you do get a bite, it is important to remain patient. When the rod tip starts twitching, resist the urge to strike, and give the fish plenty of time to shuffle its way on top of your bait and eat it.
Trying to set the hook too early is probably the biggest reason that most ray bites are missed. Usually, it is best to wait until the rod starts to bend as the fish, having taken the bait, attempts to swim off, at which point you simply set the hook by firmly lifting into the fish.
Be wary of these fish when you land one. As the name implies, thornbacks have numerous sharp spikes or thorns scattered all across the upper part of their body, and these can easily cause a nasty cut to unprotected hands.
With experience, you can firmly and safely hold a thornback ray by gripping it at a point at the forward end of the body near the eyes for unhooking or photographing, but until you know exactly where this spot is, it is advisable to wear gloves, or better still release the fish straight back over the side using a T-bar and without handling it.