Southern Stingray

SOUTHERN STINGRAY - Dasyatis americana Family Dasyatidae, STINGRAYS

 Identification: disk almost a perfect rhombus, with pointed corners; ventral finfold on tail long and relatively high, dorsal finfold rows near shoulder; disk usually uniform dark brown above, grayer in young.
Size: to 1.8 m (6 ft.) across disk.
Where found: common in bays and estuaries and OFFSHORE.
Remarks: the largest stingray along our Gulf shores up to 200 lbs.

The Southern Stingray occurs in the northern Gulf of Mexico from the saltier inshore bays to the edges of offshore reefs.

Stingrays possess one to several serrated spines on their tale which are covered with a toxin and can inflict serious wounds that are painful and often become infected. They live and feed on the bottom, so if your after one, bottom fishing is the best technique.

Most stingrays that I have encountered, have occurred while gigging for flounder around the passes and firmer sandy bottoms. Care should be exercised when handling stingrays to prevent getting stuck by the spines on it's tail. If you are uncomfortable removing your hook, simply cut your line. They can however, be handled from their front-end when they calm down after landing. Just stay clear of their tail.