Southern Stingray fishing in Florida

Southern stingrays are the big, diamond-shaped gray rays that dig for crabs, clams and shrimp across Florida's sandy beaches, flats and grass beds, most common in south Florida and the Keys and through the warm months statewide. Shore anglers usually meet them by accident on a bottom bait in the surf or off a pier, especially on the rising tide and after dark, and a big female can pull like a truck. Any fish-finder or Carolina rig with cut mullet, shrimp or squid on the bottom will catch them; for deliberate fishing, use 30–50 lb line and a 5/0–8/0 circle hook. The tail carries a serrated venomous barb: never lift a ray by the tail, keep feet and hands clear, and if the hook is not easy to reach, cut the leader close and release it in the water. When wading, shuffle your feet so rays swim off before you step on one. They are rarely kept.