bat ray

baby bat on light tackle. put up a dandy fight for a little guy.

Little guy is kinda cute

I just caught my first ray a few weeks ago. Man do they put up a fight. It was a great experience up until the point i had to pick up that slimy thing.

That's why they earned the nickname "mud Marlin"    I usually release them by the yak and not bring them aboard.

Little guy is kinda cute

kinda? they are ridiculously cute.  puppy dogs of the sea if you ask me.

Nice one, fox - that pic is great.  The reference of having it next to the Scotty rodholder is perfect to see how small and cute it really is!

 

i thought he was kinda cool, never caught one that small before.

Did you eat it?

I killed one once and felt obligated to eat the whole thing.  As soon as I butchered it, I knew I was in for a struggle.  The flesh is comprised of coarse tough spaghetti like fibers spanning from the center of the body to the edge of the wings, with a sheet of cartridge supporting the wing. 

"Bay scallops" my ass.  After a few tough chewy off-flavor steaks, I shredded the rest into rather disagreeable taco meat. 

no i did not eat him, took the pic,  unhooked him and put him back. Let him put on some more girth and then i'll be back to tussle again. I hardly ever keep anything i catch. If the fish has somehow been hurt to bad to realease i'll keep it, but other than that i CR.

It cute like a puppy

Those guys sure are slimy. I've caught more of them than I can remember out of Tomales Bay. Some of them pretty big too and what a good fight they put up. Matters in fact I have a nice reminder on my my inner arm above the wrist where I got hit by the stinger trying to release one. Went in a good inch and started throbbing almost imediately. I never did go to the doctor and squeezed out blood and what ever else I could. The barb was still intact and I didn't feel anything that may have been left behind so I sat down and finished drinking beer with my buddy.         

heres another from one of our trips. we tangle with some bruisers

Nice pictures guys!

Did you eat it?

I killed one once and felt obligated to eat the whole thing.  As soon as I butchered it, I knew I was in for a struggle.  The flesh is comprised of coarse tough spaghetti like fibers spanning from the center of the body to the edge of the wings, with a sheet of cartridge supporting the wing. 

"Bay scallops" my ass.  After a few tough chewy off-flavor steaks, I shredded the rest into rather disagreeable taco meat. 

Thanks, you gave me the info I needed to rid myself of that crazy idea. Good fish karma is going your way for sure.

heres another from one of our trips. we tangle with some bruisers

Wait you can't use Avets in a kayak. They are way to nice of a reel. BTW Nice ray, I can never seem to keep their heads up long enough for the pic.

-Tim