Cownose Ray fishing in Florida

Cownose rays are brown, square-headed rays that travel in large schools along Florida's Gulf and Atlantic coasts through the warm months, often visible from piers and bridges as their wingtips break the surface. They feed on clams, oysters and other shellfish on sand and grass bottoms, so they usually end up on shrimp, clam or crab baits meant for drum, pompano or sheepshead. Hooked from the surf or a pier, a big one pulls hard and circles, and it takes steady pressure with 20 to 30 lb line to bring it in; most anglers would rather not hook them at all. If you do, keep the ray in the water or on wet sand, stay away from the venomous spine at the base of the tail, and remove the hook with long pliers or cut the leader close. Never lift a ray by the tail or drag it far up the beach. They are not a food fish most anglers keep, so release them quickly, and check current FWC rules before keeping any ray.