Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle..far west end of Galveston

[rjohnson107]

My brother and I waded the far west end of the island sunday morning, about 300-500 yrds off shore from the toll booth. We threw live shimps and arties.
Wind was horrible (as it was just about everywhere) Water wasn't too off-color, good and salty. Current was strong (incoming). Saw tons of birds working out near the boat cut (between the stick-ups). Caught several hardheads, a 10-12" speck, and TWO rays (3-5lbs) all on the shrimp. The speck was caught under a cork, and the rays on bottom. Fishing fell off after the rays were caught. I counted at least 30 people within sight. So somebody was bound to have done better.
QUESTION- we caught the rays in about chest deep water. We ended up just cutting the line and calling it a loss rather than tangle with them in a net/try to unhook em. Shore was too far to wade back. What is the most common method for dealing with a caught ray while wading? This was a first for us both. Should we have done something different as opposed to cutting them away?
I saw several TOBA and SCA stickers down there sunday...it sure woulda been nice to associate names/faces to those vehicles.

[kenny]

You did right, cut 'em loose.
By the way, fishing in west has been spotty with the two tide days.

[Sight Cast]

They wont eat plastics most of the time. Try that.

[BIG Flat Skiff]

Always cut the line. I was stuck in the hand trying to turn the hook out of a small ray. It happened so fast that I didn't even see it move. All I knew is that my hand hurt and I was bleeding like a stuck pig.

[Skavatar]

i caught a ray about 14-15" in diameter while wade fishing at Redfish Cove two weeks ago. i waded back to shore, used my hook-out to break off the barb, then unhooked it and threw it into the ice chest. it's in my freezer waiting to be used as shark bait.

[cracker]

RAYS.............

If I can, I try to "dis-arm" them by breaking off the barb with a pair of pliers. Then unhook them or cut the line.

[Mud Skipper]

I agree with disarming them, but only when I can lift them in to the boat and have my long hookouts! Those guys can make Zorro look slow with that sword they carry - especially when still in the water.

Andy

[FishFinder]

Yep,

I was down there that Sunday. Not sure when you quit fishing, but the trout were hitting the main guts big time around 12 noon. I saw 3 live shrimpers take near limits and about an hour. Otherwise, on the rays! Don't catch them too much anymore since they seem not to hit top waters. Though, when I did, I would usually net them. Then flip em around until the tail got stuck in the net, and then break the barb off and release them. Sure beat loosing tackle and stepping back all the way to the shore with em...Good luck!