Thornback Ray Fishing in Vale of Glamorgan

Target on the flood into HW over mixed sand/shingle; squid, bluey or crab baits; fish a rotten-bottom if casting onto rougher patches.

Prime summer target on peeler crab, squid or sandeel; fish the flood into high water with a pulley/long trace over clean sand.

Best late spring–autumn on peeler/soft crab or squid; fish the flood and first of ebb, long cast onto clean sand.

Target the sandy bay on a pushing tide; peeler crab/squid/lug combos; long casts help but keep clear of rocky ground.

Common target on sand/shingle; fish big squid or crab baits on a pulley/clip-down rig, mainly from mid-flood into high water.

Common ray on clean sand; try bigger tides and dusk into dark with whole squid, mackerel or crab baits on a pulley/clip-down rig.

Common on clean patches; fish crab or squid/mackerel cocktails on a pulley/long trace; expect takes from mid‑tide to low.

Most consistent ray here; fish big squid/mackerel baits on a pulley/clip-down rig on the flood toward HW.

Best chance from late spring to autumn; fish crab or sandeel on the flood, targeting deeper gullies and scoured edges.

Best target on peeler crab or squid baits; fish into the flood when the bay fills.

Target the cleaner sand at the bay mouths on a rising tide; squid, sandeel or crab baits, steady pressure to avoid kiteing into weed.

Best after dusk into high water; use bigger baits (squid, mackerel, crab) and a clipped-down rig for distance.

Best spring–autumn; fish big baits (squid/crab/fish) on a pulley rig over mixed ground; allow time for the run.

Targets cleaner patches beyond the broken ground; fish squid/mackerel combos on the flooding tide.

Take on clean ground on bigger tides; fish peeler/crab or squid cocktails, long traces and a steady lead in any cross-tide.

Target from adjacent sand seams on the flood/early ebb; squid, sandeel or fish baits. Keep leads light enough to avoid wedging.

Target sandier runs between reefs on a big scent bait (squid/mackerel); often better from dusk into night.

Target cleaner sand/edges of rough ground on bigger tides. Squid or fish strip on a pulley/long trace; expect takes as tide eases near high water.

Target sand between rough ground, especially dusk/night; squid/bluey or crab baits on pulley rigs.

Occasional on calmer spells; fish big squid/crab baits on sand/shingle lanes—expect bites on the slackening tide.

Best from adjacent sandier gutters on bigger tides; fish on the slack/early flood with squid or crab combos.

Targets the sandier patches; fish a big squid or crab bait on a steady run of tide, especially evening sessions.

Occasional on bigger spring tides; fish crab or sandeel on a clipped-down ray trace.

Occasional on cleaner patches near the entrance; try crab/squid on a pulley pennel and fish the slackening tide.

Possible from nearby mixed/cleaner ground; fish sandeel or squid on a pulley around slack water.