How To Catch Stingrays In the Surf

If you’ve ever walked a Texas beach and seen a large, flat shadow glide through the shallows, chances are you’ve seen a stingray. Stingrays are  fascinating creatures are abundant along the Gulf Coast, and with the right approach, they can be caught from shore.

And they put up a tremendous fight!

1. Choose the Right Location

  • Target sandy beaches with troughs and sandbars (e.g., Padre Island, Surfside, or Port Aransas).

  • Look for areas with slow, sloping drop-offs where rays often feed.

  • Fish near inlets, jetties, or where the surf breaks gently.

2. Time It Right

  • Best times: Early morning, late afternoon, or night.

  • Incoming and outgoing tides are ideal, especially high tide.

  • Summer and early fall months are peak stingray seasons.

3. Use the Right Gear

  • Rod/Reel: Medium-heavy surf rod (9–12 feet) with a spinning or conventional reel.

  • Line: 20–30 lb braided mainline with a 40–60 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon leader.

  • Hook: 3/0 to 6/0 circle hook.

  • Weight: 2–5 oz pyramid or spider sinker to hold bottom in surf conditions.

4. Bait Selection

  • Best baits: Fresh-cut mullet, squid, shrimp, or small chunks of bonito.

  • Hook the bait firmly so it stays on during long casts and in rough water.

  • Stingrays prefer natural scent over lures—use fresh, not frozen, bait if possible.

5. Casting and Setup

  • Cast beyond the breakers into deeper water or just inside the trough.

  • Place the rod in a sand spike or rod holder.

  • Set a loose drag or use a bait-runner function to let stingrays run with the bait.

6. Detecting the Bite

  • Stingrays don’t usually strike hard. Expect slow, steady pulls or your rod tip to dip slowly.

  • Once the ray takes the bait, let it swim for a few seconds, then apply pressure and start reeling steadily.

7. The Fight

  • Keep the rod tip up and apply steady pressure.

  • Don’t jerk—stingrays use their body shape to resist movement, so it may feel like reeling in a heavy board.

  • Be patient; large rays can tire you out quickly in the surf.

8. Handling and Safety

  • Use a long-handled dehooker or pliers to remove the hook—do not use your hands.

  • Stingrays have a venomous barb on their tail. Stay clear of the tail at all times.

  • If keeping the ray, cut the tail off immediately using a sharp knife (check local regulations first).

  • If releasing, gently slide the ray back into the surf, keeping clear of the tail.

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