rays

[squidlips]

our club is talking about banning thornback rays in club comps,but allowing blonde rays only if they weigh over 15lbs.
the reason is that no thornbacks have been weighed in for a few years so they recon that they are on the decline.
so with this info should they be banned or not?

[monkeynuts]

last year i had plenty of thornbacks, which no different to any other year, so i dont know were thay are getting that idea from
strange
but long as its catch and release or going to be eaten , i dont see why thay should be banned

[brmbrm]

Why not catch and release? Can do the same for all species as well.

[bosshog]

Catch and release is the way to go at all times unless its for the table, the only objection that i have to catch and release and competitions is when the fish are brought in from a boat comp (as witnessed by myself on bank holiday sunday in L on S) weighed then returned to sea DEAD or throwing them as far as you can, for them to be washed back onto shore with the tide, this was also witnessed by visiting grockles who were taking photographs of the dead fish (rays doggies pout and bass) in these modern times and the small mindedness of some people we should all be aware of our actions and not give the bunny huggers amunition to shoot back at our sport. Before anyone asks i did try to contact the club secretary myself to warn them of possible bullets coming there way but was unsuccessful, a local to Lee on So might be able to have a quiet word with the said club.

[Dave.S]

Remember that if you look at a ray's wing edges and they are going pink then the fish is highly stressed and you should put it back as soon as possible.
The more pink showing the worse the state of the fish is in.

Just in case some did not know

Dave

[dean macey]

here in kent we getting more rays than ever according to local reports,deal pier fish of the month is a 10lb thornback,rays were unheard of years ago here,catch and release has to be the way forward for our sport.

[slippery]

Here on the isle of wight they are getting hammered commercially. Any steps to slow this decline in my book are welcome.
Some areas are better than others but believe me the netters have really screwed up over here with over fishing.

[maninblack]

catch and release is the way to go.

[skatenchips]

Catch "Fillet" and release...........

Seriously........gotta be C/R but wouldnt agree with
stipulating the type of Ray.....if i should ever catch one.

and as for the "Bunny" brigade
ive been going to Dartmouth in devon for yrs
sometimes coinciding with the annual boat festival.
It dont take an idiot to realise that the massive piles
of conger/dogs/huss being kicked back in the water at the dockside alienates us from the everyday person in the street
which at the time included "me".....it really "hissed" me off
that fellow anglers didnt give a **** about their catch.
But now as a new sea angler im very pleased to read the
release of some often really good fish.
and that matches are coming into line with similar thinking.
cheers
Gaz

[hertsbod]

C/r is the only way to go, unless for eatin.' The cause 'aint helped when small local boats land gill netted u/s stuff!!