
Southern stingray
Hypanus americanus
Overview
The southern stingray is a whiptail stingray found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Western Atlantic Ocean from New Jersey to southern Brazil. It has a flat, diamond-shaped disc, with a mud brown, olive, and grey dorsal surface and white underbelly. The barb on its tail is serrated and covered in a venomous mucus, used for self-defense.
Best Baits & Lures
Live Baits
- Live Shrimp
Effective when fished near the bottom.
- Cut Squid
Tough and releases a strong scent.
- Sand Fleas (Mole Crabs)
Natural prey on sandy bottoms.
- Cut Fish (e.g., Mullet)
Oily fish attract stingrays well.
- Live Pinfish
Good for larger stingrays.
Artificial Lures
- Berkley Gulp! Swimming MulletSoft PlasticBuy
Chartreuse or white colors are productive.
- Savage Gear Real EelSoft PlasticBuy
Mimics a small eel, great for dragging.
- DOA CAL Airhead JigJigBuy
Bouncing this jig on the bottom works well.
- Johnson Silver MinnowSpoonBuy
Weedless spoon, good in grassy areas.
- Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow F1140CrankbaitBuy
Trolling this bait slowly is effective.
Techniques
When fishing for southern stingrays, use a circle hook to improve hookup rates and reduce injury to the fish, especially if catch and release is planned.
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Where to Find Southern stingray
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bait for Southern stingray?+
Popular baits for Southern stingray include Live Shrimp, Cut Squid, Sand Fleas (Mole Crabs), Cut Fish (e.g., Mullet), Live Pinfish. Tip: When fishing for southern stingrays, use a circle hook to improve hookup rates and reduce injury to the fish, especially if catch and release is planned.
Where can I catch Southern stingray?+
Southern stingray can be found in many locations worldwide. Top regions include South Carolina, United States; Florida, United States; Virginia, United States. WikiCatch lists 138 fishing spots where this species is found.
How big do Southern stingray get?+
Southern stingray (Hypanus americanus) can reach up to 200 cm in length and 135.6 kg in weight. Their IUCN conservation status is NT.
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