Atlantic Stingray fishing in Florida

The Atlantic stingray is a small, brownish ray that lives on sand and mud bottoms throughout Florida's bays, lagoons, rivers and surf, including brackish and even fresh water in some rivers. Anglers rarely target it; it usually turns up on shrimp or squid meant for whiting, croaker or redfish, especially on shallow flats and in the surf on a rising tide. When one takes your bait it feels like a snag that slowly swims off. Standard bottom rigs with 1 to 3 oz of lead and #1 to 2/0 hooks are enough. The real concern is the venomous barb on the tail, which can cause a very painful wound. Keep the ray in the water or on wet sand, pin the tail away from you, and cut the leader close to the mouth or use long pliers to remove the hook; never grab it by the tail. When wading, shuffle your feet so rays move off ahead of you, and seek medical care if you are stung. Release them quickly and check current FWC rules before keeping any ray.