I have noticed that a number of the chaps reading the South African posts have taken a keen interest in the variety of Rays that we target. I thought I would share with the forum the Royals Royce of them all!

We target a species in SA commonly known as the Black Ray or Black Stingray. They go under a number of alternate names less flattering, but only after them have managed to smash gears, empty reels or part line after noteworthy battles.

Its every big shark fishermans dream to hook into one of these monsters, it’s even a bigger ambition to land one. They have a firm reputation as one of the hardest fighting fish in the ocean. The strength of these rays seems alomst endless and the entire battle they move with slow powerful determination…to top it all off they are the most dirty fighters you will ever come across. In the final stages of any fight the Black Ray will dive for any cover they can find!

The fishermen along the Southern Cape have managed to tame a number of these beasts over the years, but this past Winter they hit the bonus…big time! Along the East Coast, where I fish, Cape St Francis is home to many Balckrays and we tangle with these giants on a regular basis. For our sins the location is rocky and there are many ledges and rock pinnacles to contend with. Although a good many Blackrays have been caught, they would never size up the the monster flatties of the Southern Cape!

The fish pictured were caught over a 4 month period. They were all taken on Rock and Surf tackle. Rods vary from 9 – 10 oz tips, Shimano Trinidad reels, casted sinkers using the non-return clip, line diameters of between .55 – .65mm and 10/0 – 12/0 hooks.

[b]First of the Winter Giants[/b]

[b]Second of the Winter Giants[/b]

[b]Third of the Winter Giants [color=red](630 lbs)[/b][/color]

I have not landed a Blackray yet, but it’s number one on my HIT LIST!

Regards,

[color=blue][b]Trophy (aka Brett Harris)[/b][/color]

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