[wbouy]

Hi all.
I did some research last year into fishing for stingray in the Essex area so that I could target them but unfortunately work got in the way.
I,m planning on trying for them this year now and basically I,m after as much information as possible.
I,m planning on concentrating around the Bradwell area as it is local to where I work but I plan on trying different locations to tempt my first stinger.
Whats the best bait? When is the best time to make a start? What state of tide and what tides would be best? What rig to use? What conditions are best?
And any other tips that you gentlemen might like to share with me.
Thanks in advance chaps and I,ll keep you informed on how I get on.
BRYAN

 

[martyg]

I'm sorry I wouldn't have a clue where to start but it sounds like you're on a mission, so best of luck with it. I'm sure someone can help you.

 

[lbatt1965]

St oysth beach is quite good as is frinton ragworm is the bait to use pulley pennel

 

[ian the fsh @76]

Hi all.
I did some research last year into fishing for stingray in the Essex area so that I could target them but unfortunately work got in the way.
I,m planning on trying for them this year now and basically I,m after as much information as possible.
I,m planning on concentrating around the Bradwell area as it is local to where I work but I plan on trying different locations to tempt my first stinger.
Whats the best bait? When is the best time to make a start? What state of tide and what tides would be best? What rig to use? What conditions are best?
And any other tips that you gentlemen might like to share with me.
Thanks in advance chaps and I,ll keep you informed on how I get on.
BRYAN

got to be kingragworm ,mersea brightlingsea john poppywell had a very good stinger around this area last year or its abit out of the way reculver throws a few up

 

[Lewis Clark]

Hi all.
I did some research last year into fishing for stingray in the Essex area so that I could target them but unfortunately work got in the way.
I,m planning on trying for them this year now and basically I,m after as much information as possible.
I,m planning on concentrating around the Bradwell area as it is local to where I work but I plan on trying different locations to tempt my first stinger.
Whats the best bait? When is the best time to make a start? What state of tide and what tides would be best? What rig to use? What conditions are best?
And any other tips that you gentlemen might like to share with me.
Thanks in advance chaps and I,ll keep you informed on how I get on.
BRYAN

i have seen a fair few caught behind the power station at bradwell , best conditions are flat calm sunny days around july , you want the sun to heat the mud through the day and then fish the evening tide with a high tide between 6 - 9pm perfect. king rag is the best bait i know, a nice crab bait works too . you can keep it simple a decent running rig will work with say a strong 2 or 3/0 hook you will still catch the bass aswell as , you dont have to cast too far the ones i have seen caught have been from 40 to 80 yards.

 

[Baitman]

I caught some a few years ago , all from the blackwater, the things I learned were.......
evening tide following a hot day best.
Peeler crab better than rag , it's more crab & schoolie bass resistant.
Fish come from all distances, I had one on a bass rod no more than 10 yards out.
They jump when hooked!!!
Use small hooks, 2/0 max, even a very large stinger of 50lb or so has a mouth no bigger than the mouth of a 3lb thornback.
they are very hard to handle, obvious I know but beware of the sting/ tail.
A towel wrapped around tail makes things safer, also when moving the fish only hold it in front or level with its eyes, the tail can not whip round far enough to contact your hands then.
Be aware how delicate the big female fish are, they are often full of baby's.
for weighing a large carp type weigh sling is ideal .
Take your camera!!!
For the record I caught 9 fish, 4 were weighed on 40lb avons at between 27 lb & 40 lb, 3 others were bigger, bottomed scales out while still on the floor. Very big fish of around 50lb. The other two were small male fish of 10 / 12 lb. first one was on the 1st of June, last one on 5th July.
Don't think the fish turn up every year, I waited until the commercial netters were getting some in their nets before trying.
Hope this some help.

 

[Snagger]

Hi all.
I did some research last year into fishing for stingray in the Essex area so that I could target them but unfortunately work got in the way.
I,m planning on trying for them this year now and basically I,m after as much information as possible.
I,m planning on concentrating around the Bradwell area as it is local to where I work but I plan on trying different locations to tempt my first stinger.
Whats the best bait? When is the best time to make a start? What state of tide and what tides would be best? What rig to use? What conditions are best?
And any other tips that you gentlemen might like to share with me.
Thanks in advance chaps and I,ll keep you informed on how I get on.
BRYAN

Hi Bryan,

in the 1980's the British Stingray Championships were held at StOsyth Beach

every May, the British shore caught record was held there for years at 53lb,

other than that I can't help you,

Tight Line,

Snagger

Ps:- Let me know how you get on.

 

[Zerco]

Try St Osyth late April herring best bait

 

[Flo]

i have seen a fair few caught behind the power station at bradwell , best conditions are flat calm sunny days around july , you want the sun to heat the mud through the day and then fish the evening tide with a high tide between 6 - 9pm perfect. king rag is the best bait i know, a nice crab bait works too . you can keep it simple a decent running rig will work with say a strong 2 or 3/0 hook you will still catch the bass aswell as , you dont have to cast too far the ones i have seen caught have been from 40 to 80 yards.

I would say Lewis's comments are spot on, a decent tide would be required as it will then go out further and the sun will warm up more mud. Behind the power station walk to the left past the beach area 200-300 yards and cast out towards the middle of the bay as soon as the tide starts to flood across the mud make sure there is enough depth so you wont bury your lead in the mud. 5 years ago a friend of mine had 3 in a session biggest was 19lb others were 12 and 13lb and he said you could literally see the boil in the water as the stingers took the bait. You'll have to put the hours in though and the hot weather is very important as they like to move across warm mudflats.Big king Rag baits definately best option with peeler crab as a back up. There is also a flat sandy area straight in front of you as you follow the path down the side of the power station and go up over the steps on the sea wall. It looks perfect for stingers at low water up but havent heard of any being caught there.

 

[conanthewhittler]

Another vote for st osyth,although it didnt produce much last the previous year i had one out on bluey at around 45lb and john popplewell had two one at 54lb and the other looked in excess of 70lb.Worth noting one of our members had one out of the colne at 40lb plus.King rag seems to be top bait but mine was on bluey, more luck than judgement though as for state of tide they dont need much water so any time really 4 up and 4 down would be ok strong 2/0 or 3/0 pennel rigs.good luck:fishing:

 

[Redfish20]

Hi lewis agree with your comments but did see two caught to the right of the power station near the sluice buts its prob 20 mins walk.king rag and crab the bait .Will be ringing u soon re the boat trips .DC

 

[wbouy]

Thanks for all the information guys i,ve got it all written down in my little black fishing note book ready to put into action. I know the books a bit sad but i enjoy recording my fishing and info i,ve accumulated over the years, thats why i have my blog and hopefully i,ll have some pictures of stingray on there in the next few months.
So a quick jumble of the info received and i should look to fish a big tide from low water up over the mud flats after a hot, still day just before sun down using king ragworm or peeler crab on not too big a hook, 2/0 or there abouts, tied to a flowing pennell rig.
Obviously this would be around the Blackwater estuary, but what about over at St Osyth?????
I havn,t fished St Osyths for years when i used to fish it with my Dad and uncles for whiting and bass when you drove through the holiday camp then up onto the sand and along to the right through the dunes/scrub grass.
Would this area be worth a try?????
Again thanks for all the advice chaps.
BRYAN

 

[blakdog]

Thanks for all the information guys i,ve got it all written down in my little black fishing note book ready to put into action. I know the books a bit sad but i enjoy recording my fishing and info i,ve accumulated over the years, thats why i have my blog and hopefully i,ll have some pictures of stingray on there in the next few months.
So a quick jumble of the info received and i should look to fish a big tide from low water up over the mud flats after a hot, still day just before sun down using king ragworm or peeler crab on not too big a hook, 2/0 or there abouts, tied to a flowing pennell rig.
Obviously this would be around the Blackwater estuary, but what about over at St Osyth?????
I havn,t fished St Osyths for years when i used to fish it with my Dad and uncles for whiting and bass when you drove through the holiday camp then up onto the sand and along to the right through the dunes/scrub grass.
Would this area be worth a try?????
Again thanks for all the advice chaps.
BRYAN

You can't drive there anymore as the beach is being allowed to go natural (very much like the beach gentlemen that inhabit the dunes in the summer:cc_surren). Park at the end of the road down, behind the sea wall - the security gaurd's caravan is just across the way so rarely any problems with cars there.

A little more info for your little black book ... before anybody mentions the gaff, John caught this one in 1976 when most people didn't think twice about bopping things over the head to claim a record.

 

[conanthewhittler]

You can't drive there anymore as the beach is being allowed to go natural (very much like the beach gentlemen that inhabit the dunes in the summer:cc_surren). Park at the end of the road down, behind the sea wall - the security gaurd's caravan is just across the way so rarely any problems with cars there.

A little more info for your little black book ... before anybody mentions the gaff, John caught this one in 1976 when most people didn't think twice about bopping things over the head to claim a record.

whoa,thats a full on barnet johns sporting there russ.

 

[blakdog]

whoa,thats a full on barnet johns sporting there russ.

I know ..... I last spoke to him a couple of years back? (haven't seen him for ages) and he still had most of the old barnet - the complete opposite of poor old Concrete (who has been going bald since he was borne).

Not sure if he was "mis-informing" me but he told me a couple of times that the Stinger came to Herring which was fished for Thornbacks. Mind you he also told other people it came to Lugworm, some that it came to Ragworm and I believe he used to spin a yarn about it coming to a mackerel feather when he had downed a few pints :fishing:

John was a very good angler in his day ... and a nice bloke.

 

[getthenet]

I caught some a few years ago , all from the blackwater, the things I learned were.......
evening tide following a hot day best.
Peeler crab better than rag , it's more crab & schoolie bass resistant.
Fish come from all distances, I had one on a bass rod no more than 10 yards out.
They jump when hooked!!!
Use small hooks, 2/0 max, even a very large stinger of 50lb or so has a mouth no bigger than the mouth of a 3lb thornback.
they are very hard to handle, obvious I know but beware of the sting/ tail.
A towel wrapped around tail makes things safer, also when moving the fish only hold it in front or level with its eyes, the tail can not whip round far enough to contact your hands then.
Be aware how delicate the big female fish are, they are often full of baby's.
for weighing a large carp type weigh sling is ideal .
Take your camera!!!
For the record I caught 9 fish, 4 were weighed on 40lb avons at between 27 lb & 40 lb, 3 others were bigger, bottomed scales out while still on the floor. Very big fish of around 50lb. The other two were small male fish of 10 / 12 lb. first one was on the 1st of June, last one on 5th July.
Don't think the fish turn up every year, I waited until the commercial netters were getting some in their nets before trying.
Hope this some help.

The voice of experience, rather than received wisdom. Take note.

 

[Sam-Cox]

Park at Bradwell water side. Walk towards the power station. Just after the mouth of the creak there's a pill box anywhere past that can produce.
Also Stansgate well worth a go.

 

[barnacle]

Only ever fished St Osyth's once, way back in the 80's. I fished a match near to a guy by the name of Phillip Slee from the Ipswich Sea Anglers Club. He beached a 46lb'er, it was hooked at distance on King Rag. Stingrays are a worthy adversary off the beach and if you are lucky enough to be able to put the hours in, I would say definitely worth chasing. Good luck:thumbs:

 

[wbouy]

Again many thanks guys, i,m really looking forward to having a try for them this summer.
BRYAN

 

[Richie10]

Seen one caught off walton pier on rag, I unhooked it for the guy, wrapped a beer towel round the sting. Couldn't get it off and it swam off with my towel. Right off the end.