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Stingrays & Rays
Saltwater
Fish Species of The Gambia
Identification
Ray Types:
Many varieties in The Gambia incl. Roughtail,
Tangura, Common
Gambian Names:
Tom-bu-lan
Scientific Names:
Numerous
General Catch Size:
2lb to 200lb +
African Angler Best:
319lbs
Best Baits: Live
baits, Cut fish baits, Bonga,
Mullet, Cuttlefish.
Top Tips:
Stingrays are real garbage
collectors. They will
 readily take
any smelly dead bait as well as
small live bait. Stingrays also
respond to rubby-dubby. This is
best used at the beginning and end
of a tide, through slack water. When
targeting the big Stingrays a 50lb &
80lb class outfit should be used
with no less than 50lb main line and
100lb mono trace and a strong 5/0
hook. It often pays to fish a
selection of baits set at different
distances down tide from the boat &
pinned hard on the bottom in the rubby-dubby trail.
Stingrays will settle on the bait
and munch it in. This results in a
'tap,tap' effect on the end of the
rod which develops into a slow
peeling run as the Stingray swims
off. At this stage give it a couple
of hard strikes to set the hook &
hold tight. Hooking a really big Ray
is often compared to hooking a
submarine!! The boat must be buoyed
off on the drift & full pressure
applied to keep with fish from
settling on the bottom. If a large
Ray goes to-ground you can pull the
line taught and twang it like a
guitar string. Often the vibration
down the line will make the fish
lift. In persistent cases a large
led can be attached by snap swivel
and slid down the line. You will
only get one chance at this so get
ready to lift into the fish. Large
Rays should be gaffed in or around
the mouth especially if the fish is
to be released. Wild stabs in the
fish's wings often result in the
gaff ripping through the flesh & the
fish heading back for the bottom.
When -
All year-round
Recommended TACKLE
Rod: 50lb to 80lb / 7ft to 9ft
boat rod
Reel: Multiplier two speed
Main Line: 50lb – 80lb mono or braid
Swivel: 80lb to 100lb sampo
Hooks: 5/0 Mustard
African
Pompano
Barracuda
Guinean Barracuda
Butterfish
Captain Fish
(Threadfin)
Cassava
Jacks
Ladyfish
Shark
Snappers
Spanish
Mackerel
Rays
Tarpon
Kali & Ian
with the 319lb
'Stinger' caught onboard The African
Angler
Mark Lonsgter
SEE BOAT
CHARTER PRICES
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