Thornback ray

• Diamond-shaped disc, shortish tail
• A row of large thorns along the back and tail
• Mottled brown, often with paler marbling
• Prickles on the back of larger fish

Shore fish from a small ‘puppy’ to a 70 cm+ disc. Measure wing to wing if you need a size, and check local rules.

Colour

Mottled brown with paler blotches, heavy thorns.

Fins

Disc formed of pectorals; two small dorsals on the tail.

Mouth

Underside, crushing plates.

Ranked for this species, not as a universal law. Local crab runs and what is actually fresh matter more.

• Peeler crabPeel it, leave the catch-legs if you like, bind it on a Pennel so it survives the cast. Half a crab for wrasse, a whole for a hound.Strong target
• LugwormThread the worm so the hook is hidden and the tail still moves. A bunch for bigger fish; a single for dabs.Good target
• SandeelHead-hooked so it swims, or a Pennel through the head and the middle. Bind if you are casting far.Good target
• MackerelA thin strip on a small hook; a side on a Pennel; a whole fish on a running tope rig.Good target
• SquidA strip on a flapper; a whole small squid or a wrap over fish on a Pennel.Possible target

• Pennel rigTwo hooks on one bait — one in the head, one in the body. The way to fish a crab, a squid wrap or a big worm.Intermediate
• Pulley PennelA pulley lead with a Pennel hook length. The standard ‘I mean this bait’ rig for a winter or a ray session.Intermediate
• Single-hook clipped-downThe bait is held against the leader with a bait clip so it flies as one and releases in the water. The way to punch a bait into a headwind.Advanced
• Running ledgerThe lead slides on the line so a shy fish does not feel the weight. Simple and sensitive close in.Beginner

Hooks: 2/0–4/0 Pennel.