Cleaning a Bat Ray and other questions...

[Toxic_Waste]

I have also heard that they used to make "scallops" outta the wings. They said you could tell the difference even before tasting them because the scallop's meat grain was vertical and the skate or ray wings had a horizontal grain. I never got to try them, but the local seafood wholesaler/retailer says they can get some for me, so they must be used commercially....which means somebody's eating them!

[jerdh71]

heres my 2 cents, I d treat them like a shark. As soon as you land it I d cut the wings off and make a few slices in it to help bleed it. Next let them soak in the water the whole time your fishing. When you get home cut nice size strips out of the wings fillet the skin off remove any discolored meat and then just like shark meat let them soak in milk over night in a ziploc. FYI I have never tried it but update us if it works out

I totally disagree with the statment that they dont fight, maybe the other guy uses a wench or crain to reel them in but I use somewhat light gear and they are monsters they'll peel your line and not stop until they re in the next county. I love the fight thr put up.

[striper_assasin]

they used to sell them in the grocery stores as scallops(punched out circular chunks).its illegal to do and i dont think anyone trys to do that anymore,but from what ive been told there wings taste just like scallops so if you like scallops then you should like them.personaly i have never caught one.

[tarbuckle]

Strong hooks are a must. Rays are the only fish I've caught that have straighten out my hooks

[GCinGV]

No kidding about hanging on and use some pretty heavy gear, the big ones are like trying to stop a station wagon. They definitely love whole Squid.
GC

[ZACK]

Nah,
you don't want to eat one of them things. I actually tried it once when I was a kid. NASTY!!! ;D
The only people I know who eat them are Chinese but they eat a lot of stuff I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole like Carp, etc. I always figured they come from such a heavily populated place that they make the most out of their salt water resource for sustenance and don't let a thing go to waste?

ZACK!

Below is a pic of one I caught just outside the gate on 10 lb test while fishing for Halibut. Also, they don't fight worth a crap! Hell on wheels for the 1st couple of minutes then they come in like a wet blanket.

[kromebrite]

Remember that a ray bite can be a very small "tap tap".
I second the whole squid on big hook idea.
Hang on................ ;D

[Rock_Hopper]

Not sure about cleaning a ray, as I have never kept one, but I can help with your other questions.


Are there size limits?
No, but I'd suggest you keep a smaller one just in case you don't like how it tastes.

Are there restrictions I should know about?
I honestly don't know if there is a take or posession limit, but (again) I'd suggest you only keep one the first time.

Is this even Bat Ray season?
It's not the best time to try for rays, but there is usually rays in the bays year round. Bodega and Tomales Bays both have pretty good year round populations. SF and San Pablo bay ray numbers drop this time of year, probably due to the large amounts of freshwater run-off into those bays. April - September have been the best months for me personally, but it's worth a shot any time of the year, especially if you can make it to Bodega Bay. No need for fancy baits, just throw a whole squid on a 2/0 - 7/0 hook and kick back and wait.

[sethonious]

Can anyone give detailed instructions on cleaning a bat ray? I have read many great stories about how they fight and that they taste great, but looking at photos of these fish the cleaning part seems a bit complicated. I think I am going to go sit in the rain this weekend and try to hook into one of these guys. Are there size limits? Are there restrictions I should know about? Is this even Bat Ray season? I really don't know anything about them but I am intrigued. Thanks in advance for any help y'all can provide.