Raja brachvara
Distinguishing features
The blonde ray has the common Rajidae kite shape with a relatively thick body and a short snout. The tips of the pectoral fins are angular and there are a line of spines down the mid-line of the tail. The light brown back is covered with dark spots which continue out to the very edge of the wings. There may also be lighter blotches on the upper surface and the fish is white on the ventral side. As with all rays the males have large claspers adjacent to the pectoral fins.
Size
One of the largest rays the blonde ray can reach a weight of 18 kg.
British Record Fish List
UK Shore Record: 32lb 8oz 0dms / 14.742kgs
UK Boat Record: 39lb 10oz 2dms / 17.977kgs
European Line Class Record for this species
photo courtesy of Mike Concannon
Habitat
It inhabits from UK coastal waters down to the Mediterranean and is mainly found in water from 30 to 100 metres deep over sandy bottoms.
Food
This ray feeds mainly on herring, sprats, pouting, sandeels and other small fish together with crustaceans and worms.
Bait
Large fillets of mackerel are an effective bait for blonde rays particularly when combined with a whole calamari squid. Peeler crab can work well from the shore.
