Diamond Ray (Duckbill)
Illustration: gardenroutefishing.co.za
The duckbill ray — a big, powerful diamond-shaped ray of surf zones and estuary mouths that produces some of the longest fights in shore angling; large specimens top 60 kg.
Where & how: sandy points and deep beaches on crab, prawn and fish baits. When a big duckbill sets off down the beach there is nothing to do but follow.
Handling: no venomous spine like stingrays, but immensely strong — beach in the shallows, unhook fast, point it seaward. Don't drag big rays up dry sand.
Status: slow-breeding; catch-and-release is standard practice among responsible anglers.
Field guide
Powerful, sustained runs and dogged head-shaking — big fish test heavy tackle and your stamina rather than jumping.
How to catch Diamond Ray (Duckbill)
Heavy surf outfit — long fights
Large baitrunner spinning reel (8000–14000) or a 6/0–9/0 conventional with 300 m+ line capacity and a strong, smooth drag.
0.50–0.70 mm mono or 50–80 lb braid for the mainline.
8/0–12/0 non-stainless circle hooks (rust out if a deep-hooked fish is released).
1.5–2 m of 100–300 lb mono trace; multi-strand wire or cable for toothy sharks.
Crab, prawn, fish baits
When to catch Diamond Ray (Duckbill)
Summer, sandy points and deep beaches
Feeds hard on moving water, especially the push and after dark; spring tides and a warm current switch them on.
Most active in warmer water, roughly 18–23 °C, especially when bait shoals are inshore.
🥅 Landing
On the beach, use the swash to slide the fish onto wet sand; from rocks, lead it to a safe gulley. Never gaff a shark you plan to release.
♻️ Release
Keep it in the water, support the body, remove the hook with a de-hooker or cut the trace close, then revive it upright facing the current until it swims off strongly.
📏 Limits & restrictions
⚠️ Catch-and-release standard; don't drag up dry sand
No tours targeting this species yet — browse all tours.
