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Thornback Ray Fishing in Devon

Devon has 12 shore marks rated for thornback ray. They're ranked below by how strongly thornback ray show at each spot, with today's live conditions beside every mark — so you can pick a spot that's worth fishing right now, not just on paper.

When to go

Out of season — best Mar–Jul, Sep–Oct
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Best months: Mar–Jul, Sep–Oct · green months are prime, the outlined box is this month.

Tide Fish the flood

Time of day Night sessions clearly outfish daylight

Best thornback ray marks in Devon

Ranked by how strongly thornback ray show at each mark. The chip on the right is today's live fish forecast.

Paignton Sands Reliable for thornback ray
Today 65 Good

Evening into the flood; long sandeel or squid on a pulley rig, cast to sand gullies. Best spring–early autumn; neaps aid presentation.
Beesands Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 65 Good

Apr–Oct. Sandeel or squid/fish cocktails on pulley rigs at long range over sand; best on the flood into dusk/night.
Blackpool Sands Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 65 Good

Occasional at night from clean shingle. Sandeel or bluey on pulley rigs, cast 60–90m. Mid-to-high water on spring tides.
Strete Gate Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 65 Good

Spring-early summer. Sandeel or squid on pulley rigs. Long cast to sand patches. Slack water around high often best.
Torcross Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 65 Good

Evening flood with bluey or squid. Aim for slightly rougher patches; spring and autumn.
Budleigh Salterton Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 64 Fair

Occasional over clean sand at range; evening floods in spring/early summer. Fresh sandeel or bluey on pulley rigs cast past the shingle slope.
Goodrington Sands Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 65 Good

Occasional from sand at night; sandeel/bluey on a clipped-down pulley; aim for the first drop-off on the flood.
Hallsands Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 65 Good

Sandeel or peeler to sand runs at range; settle baits and wait. Spring–autumn, last of the flood into slack.
Saunton Sands Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 65 Good

Occasional. Squid/sandeel cocktail at range into the outer gutter; evening flood on spring tides, spring-autumn.
Mattiscombe Sands Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 65 Good

Occasional on sand patches; squid/bluey cocktails at dusk on the flood. Long snoods and grip leads; avoid the rough ground.
Dawlish Warren Worth a try for thornback ray
Today 64 Fair

Occasional from the channel at range; sandeel or squid on pulley rigs; evening flood around spring tides.
Putsborough Sands Shows occasionally for thornback ray
Today 65 Good

Occasional; whole sandeel or squid at night over deeper gutters near high water on settled seas.

Planning ahead? The live fish forecast map compares these marks across the week.

Tactics for thornback ray

Top baits, best first

  1. Sandeel
  2. Mackerel Strip
  3. Bluey (Pacific Saury)
  4. Squid

Rigs that work, best first

  1. Pulley Pennel Dropper
  2. Up and Over
  3. Long & Low

Full tactics, seasonal detail and more baits are on the Thornback Ray species guide.

Thornback Ray fishing elsewhere

Thornback Ray in Bridgend Thornback Ray in Carmarthenshire Thornback Ray in Ceredigion Thornback Ray in Conwy Thornback Ray in Cornwall Thornback Ray in Denbighshire Thornback Ray in Dorset Thornback Ray in East Sussex Thornback Ray in Flintshire Thornback Ray in Gloucestershire Thornback Ray in Gwynedd Thornback Ray in Hampshire Thornback Ray in Isle of Anglesey Thornback Ray in Isle of Wight Thornback Ray in Kent Thornback Ray in Monmouthshire Thornback Ray in Neath Port Talbot Thornback Ray in Newport Thornback Ray in Pembrokeshire Thornback Ray in Somerset Thornback Ray in Swansea Thornback Ray in Vale of Glamorgan Thornback Ray in West Sussex