dont gaff your pecker

 

Cut the spine off it...

 

Hold on tight...if don't do any good RedEyes Dock Bar is always a good time

 

would the coves be best to start out or the open water? and is there a certain way to look for them or just drive around till you see them?

 

Drive around till you find them, we run 1,200 to 1,800 rpm on big motor to cover water until find them,then slow down to 800-900. If you don't find rays depending where you put in, might make run down around poplar island if don't find anything closer . Try flats,coves, deep water drop offs on edge of flats, just have to cover water till you find them...The best tip: ask a crabber if you see one, they hate rays and will tell you to kill them all and normally point you in a direction to find them

 

thanks for the info I think we are going to put in the public launch at the kent narrows under 50 by piney narrows yacht haven do I need a permit to launch from there?

 

Would say yes on ramp permit. We used to put in down Rt8 at shipping creek ramp was closer to middle of Eastern Bay http://dnr.maryland.gov/boating/kentislandinset.asp

 

do you think that would be a better ramp? and how do we get the permits?

 

Permits can get online I believe, but texted a guy I know that lives on K.I to see if have private marina that might pay $20 or so to launch and not need a $50 permit, he works at a marina on the Island but haven't heard back from him www.parksnrec.org/images/stories/landings_piers/landings/landings2013.pdf and think Chesapeake Outdoors sells permits are right off south side rt 50 before you get to Kent Narrows, might call them to make sure

 

I just looked it up there are some daily permits that are like 15 bucks

 

Also gonna have dead low tide Saturday around 12:55 , Hi tides are at 5:30am and 6:45pm is what my tide charts say for Kent Narrows

 

Chesapeake outdoors is probably the most convenient place to get a permit. Daily one will work fine for you. Not sure what kind of boat you are going to be out in but just be careful of big boat wakes especially around the narrows. It gets pretty busy on the weekends and they can rock you from pretty far off. I havent been out in a week and a half but last time I found them in 6-8 foot of water near some sharp drop offs. I may be out Saturday or Sunday not positive yet.

 

you should do alright in the narrows with the crabs starting to pick up!

 

rays are awesome to shoot, good luck man and make sure to post pics

 

If we shoot any ill def post pictures hey what is like an average shot like how far away? And is it mostly cownose or are there some southerns?

 

Avg shot on far side would be 5 yds to straight down off side of boat,just under the surface normally. And never really heard of southerns that far north on any sort of regular basis,so gonna be cownose as main target

 

Good luck with the trip

 

Just down there couple weeks ago. wATCH boat wakes, got between 3 going different directions! Little scary! Found some spots with clam line buoys , good place to look

Let me know how ya do, were headin back down there next sat.

 

Alright will do and do yall eat them? If so how do yall cook them?

 

We have tried some. As soon as you get them in the boat fillet the meat off the top of the wings, cut the meat off the skin, then get them on ice. When you get home cut the fillets into chunks and soak them in something to leach the blood out. Don't use salt water, it will make it salty. Then get you some cajun fish breading/batter and fry them up. Key is getting the meat off the ray asap.....Don't let any cook in your boat and definitely don't wait till the next day to clean your boat or you won't even think about trying to eat one.

 

They arent bad to eat at all. I soak them in saltwater for a day or two but then rinse and soak in fresh water for an hour or two before i cook them to get all the salt off. I find they work pretty well with most shrimp recipes especially anything cajun style. I just cut them into chunks about the size of large shrimp. Dont overcook them or they will get chewy.

 

Well we had a great time shot 10 then the weather took a turn but we will def be back out bought the year long license and permits its too much fun

 

Good deal how clear was the water ????

 

You could see bout 2, 3 ft deep i had a pair costas so that helped but it wasnt too bad a lot of rays at the narrows and east bay just the wind got too much for the boat

 

Good shooting! Heading to the narrows sat if the weather cooperates .

 

Nice work! Were you guys out Friday afternoon? I was heading out rockfishing from my buddys house and there was a boat in the cove shooting them.

 

nice rays man

 

Yep we were out friday afternoon i wish we could have gotten early they were everywhere and we got in them saturday to we were just too late cause of the wind