Thornback Ray Fishing in Dorset

Best in spring–autumn; fish peeler crab or sandeel on a pulley/clip-down; target dusk and flooding tide.

Apr-Oct; sandeel or mackerel on pulley rigs, 60-120 yd to sand gullies between groynes. Evening flood, neaps often fish best.

Better chance in darker conditions; fish bigger baits (squid/crab) into the deeper channel with a strong trace.

Dusk into night on neap-mid tides. Whole sandeel or squid/mackerel cocktails cast long onto clean sand from Knoll/Middle Beach. Clip-down rigs; sit it out.

Often after dark; squid, mackerel or crab cocktails; target low-water to mid-flood when rays move up the beach.

Spring–early summer. Sandeel/squid on pulley dropper; cast to sand troughs at 60–100 yd. Slack water and first of the flood best.

Spring and autumn nights. Sandeel or mackerel on pulley dropper, medium–long casts to sand gullies beyond the bar; neap tides often best.

Dusk into night on neaps; long cast sandeel/squid to clean ground beyond the first bank; keep baits neat and pinned.

Mar–Jun and Sep; sandeel or bluey/squid on pulley rigs; 80–120m to clean sand; best after dark on neaps.

Evenings spring–autumn; squid/bluey at range over mixed ground; a steady flood works best.

Mar–Jun and Sept–Nov, evening/night. Cast sandeel or squid 60–100 m onto sand past the rough ground. Target first 2 hours of the flood with pulley/dropper and 4–5/0.

Spring and autumn; squid or bluey on pulley rigs. Dusk into night on the flood at medium range.

Spring-autumn; sandeel or squid on pulley rigs; long cast to the second gutter; best at dusk and into dark on the flood.

Late spring–autumn; sandeel/squid or crab on pulley rigs, 60–100 m to clean sand. Best on evening flood into darkness.

Late spring–autumn nights; sandeel or squid/sandeel at 80–120m to deeper gutters. Flood around springs.

Possible in warmer months, especially after a blow; use larger baits (squid/mackerel) and allow time on the seabed between casts.

Occasional from late spring through autumn; focus on big tides and calm spells after a blow; squid/fish cocktail baits and sturdy gear.

Evenings, spring into early summer; squid/sandeel or bluey on pulley/dropper; cast to sand gullies; neap tides aid bite detection—be patient.

Patchy but possible, especially after a blow; squid or crab baits on strong gear. Give baits time—slow, deliberate takes.

Spring–early summer; sandeel or bluey/squid baits on pulley pennels. Cast to the second bar on the flood and first of ebb.

Occasional from the beaches in spring/autumn; fish sandeel or squid at long range over clean sand on the flood into dusk.

Not regular but possible where the channel opens out; try squid/fish baits on a clipped-down rig into sandier ground.

Apr-Oct; long casts to sand banks with sandeel or squid; fish dusk into night on a flooding tide; avoid heavy weed.

Occasional on night tides; sandeel or bluey on a pulley dropper. Cast 80–120 m onto clean sand; best around neaps in spring.

Spring–early summer nights; sandeel/bluey/squid cocktails at long range over clean sand. Gentle surf, last of flood into slack.