Bad news at the Bridge

[Steve F]

Shawn,
We never seen one today but if they are bunched up like that we are in trouble

[Spot77]

What would cause both of those? (The gnarly looking algae AND the nasty rays).....

The water was GREAT last week....pretty clear, no algae and the White Perch were biting well.

[Skip]

The Cownose ray population has been growing roughly 10% every year for the past 15 years or so.
The large inshore sharks that feed on rays were killed off by recs and comm. fishing. Big Bulls , Lemons , Hammerheads are scarce now.
Some estimate the shark population at about 5 %.
Hammerheads are about 2 %.
With no commercial value and very questionable table fare - rays just keep breeding.

The brown water is sorta tied into the rays. The devour oysters and clams that filter the water.

Each year - water quality gets worse and the dissolved oxygen levels are shallower each year. One reason we are seeing bigger Rock in 25 feet.
Years ago - they would hang out near 40 feet of water.

[B-Faithful]

Maybe we need to thin the herd... Who wants to have a CBAngler trash fish tournament for the biggest ray..

[DirtyFrank]

And blues are there too Shawn, had a clean bite off on Saturday.

Summer is here early.

[Night Nurse]

Was at Shipping Creek today standing on the new finger peir and noticed several rays IN THE RAMP! they were in 5 - 8 inches of water just hanging out. I spooked them and the ran, but I have never seen that.

TED

[Bug Guy]

Greg,
Hans and I are gonna try bow-fishing for them this year. Talked to a mate down south, he said they make good (not great) crab trap bait. We are gonna test that theory. Looks like I better get my gear together.
Cheers,
Bob

[crabby and son]

Bob, You are wasting your time trying to use the rays for crab bait. They would be fun to shoot with a bow though............Gary