| Author |
Message |
Dick
Senior Member
Username: Dick
Post Number: 713
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 1:46 pm: | |
I hooked into 4 of these critters this weekend, one on my freshwater bass rod, and loved every minute of the fight. I actually had one (I assume it was a ray) that I couldn't even slow down, the tighter I set my drag the faster he took line. I ended up cupping my spool and broke the leader. I would just like to know if you like them or hate them. I personally loved fighting something that large. I did end up loosing 4 BT to the critters but I think it was worth it. I hear people complain about hooking a ray. Would you prefer to catch nothing? |
Daddys_toy
Junior Member
Username: Daddys_toy
Post Number: 83
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 3:31 pm: | |
I would personally rather catch a ray than nothing. I also bring 1 bass rod on board for the fight. Great battle, my kids LOVE seeing them on board. Never lost one yet but my biggest was probably only 10 pounds. Maybe 30" wing spread.
Michael |
Warden
Intermediate Member
Username: Warden
Post Number: 177
Registered: 8-2000
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 8:29 pm: | |
I suppose catching a large ray is like catching a large "anything else". In that respect it's fine; landing a large ray is certainly an acid test for your equipment. Everyone should deal with one of these things on occasion just to stay honest. They will take line off your drag and bend your rod double AND test the stamina in your arms and shoulders. They'll tell you which knots are right and which ones you need to work on. And at times, you'll tie into one that is simply too large to land! So, rays can be fun and a learning experience. I think one of the most fascinating
things about rays are their eyes. They seem like human eyes. You slide them up on the beach and those eyes seem to follow you around. Like, OK, would you get me back in the water now!?? Rays can be fun; I just don't want a steady diet of them. |
Bil4x4
Intermediate Member
Username: Bil4x4
Post Number: 160
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 8:47 pm: | |
I HAVE TO ADMIT, THEY ARE DEFINATELY FUN TO CATCH. ESPECIALLY THE FIRST COUPLE OF SECONDS YOU FIGHT IT CAUSE YOU KNOW YOUR MIND IS THINKING " MAYBE THIS IS THE BIG ONE"..UNTIL YOU SEE THAT TAIL OR FLAPPING WINGS AND YOU KNOW ITS OVER..LOL
TOTAL DREAM BUSTERS...
|
Bil4x4
Intermediate Member
Username: Bil4x4
Post Number: 161
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 8:50 pm: | |
I STILL THINK TO THIS DAY IT WAS A HUGE RAY THAT SWIPED MY ROD,REAL, AND ROD HOLDER FROM UNDER MY EYES............. |
Striperswiper1
Senior Member
Username: Striperswiper1
Post Number: 1093
Registered: 7-2000
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 8:59 pm: | |
We've had a few day's on the bay when we moved as they kept attacking our jigs. One or two is ok, but one after the other blows. It's funny from a Psychological perspective, we wouldn't be saying that if they were 40lb + stripers giving up the same fight. I know as I've had a few in that size range over the years run me over 1/4 mile in chasing them. |
Seadawg
Senior Member
Username: Seadawg
Post Number: 408
Registered: 8-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 12:20 pm: | |
I don't mind them in a bay boat, because they are a lot easier to wear out, you can follow them like a big shark and get them to the surface.
And kids love them, because of the fight,and they can brag that they landed a 50 or 60 pound "fish". I've had them out of Bowers to be wider than the rear of my boat (7 foot plus) wingspan, and it takes a while to get them in, even with 50# spiderwire.
Had one spool me on the Henlopen pier a couple of weeks ago, had to to break him off, with 30# test fireline. They can really pull when they get going. |