Stingray PB

[skatenchips]

Attended "Steves memorial Smut Cup" along Southampton waterway,a good turn out albeit the conditions weren't special with a facing wind and plenty of weed in the water.

The Forum members did well with shared baits but didn't make any odds to yours truly as my Peeler Offerings never got a look in all night,so on hearing
Sting Rays could be caught I lobbed a large Ragworm bait close in.

My neighbour Pete was nagging with me when he shouted"your rod Gazza"
and sure enough the Ragworm rod was bent over and line was peeling off the spool,I lifted in and it truly was gunning it uptide,just happy id loosened
the drag right off..!!!!!!!

Seemed an age but finally had the fish under control and the steady thump
as it neared the shingle edge had the Ol heart pounding I can tell you !!!

Steve and clive man handled it onto a plastic sheet and all I could do was
cheer inside as it certainly was the biggest Stinger id had.



Stunning creatures with a "Dark Menace" appearance this Male Ray
lay on the beach catching its breath as I was......



10lb 9oz Double was a NEW PB Stingray for me so well chuffed..plus I had properly christened the new Century Supermatch LD id got 2 days earlier.



Clive did the honours with my camera as I hastily got my waders on to slip the Ray back in the briny.........



Clive and Steve stand waiting for things to happen in the evening sunlight



Things were slow until Pete was again nagging with me when we saw his rod hanging off the stand and after some series weed removal he had his prize a 5lb Smooth Hound,so at least he caught the intended target.

Id heard of 10lb Smuts being taken but again I didn't entertain the scales
with one so carried on and then...............

a slower bite revealed a more modest fish on the end so carefully
played it to the edge ............begger me



another Stinger ok a smaller female @ 6lb 9oz but a welcome sight.



Her white belly shines in the sunshine as she goes back.

Clive on one side of me had B......as did I on the smut side of things...... but..... we had plenty of banter and the Stingers kept me entertained that's for sure.

Good to see so many members attended Steves memorial comp
which was won with an 11lb fish .

Me well,I just enjoyed being out in the company of the lads and adding a NEW PB Stingray x 2 to this years species list.

Gazza

[mac]

Good pics and report as always Gazza , to your P B rays .

[sharpey]

Well done Gazza, didn't know you could get Stingrays near our shores, thought they preferred warmer climes ...! Great fish mate..!!


Sharpey

[skatenchips]

yes Sharpey the sandy muddy bottoms along the Solent coastline gets thick with them if you have a few
days of warm weather......

The boat record for the Solent is 76lb

I went the other night and although I blanked I watched the biggest shore fish I've ever witnessed
being dragged ashore,it was a 45lb Stingray about 10ins thick and 3 foot round....huge thing with its whip tail flashing around dangerously I'm glad somebody else was sorting it .

[Yakdiver]

Well done

[shacky]

Top pics & report Well Done on the PB Stinger Long time since I have seen one up in these parts

[Shane ousby]

Top post gazza and a very nice ray to top it off ........I should think carefull handeling comes to mind