Short visit to the Elephant Rock Pier

[Ken Jones]

Elephant Rock Pier​

After finishing up at the Kids Day on the Pier, I decided to head over to the Elephant Rock Pier in Tiburon for a couple of hours of fishing. Two hours produced two BIG black perch, a BIG walleye surfperch, two mid-sized brown rockfish and one spotted kelpfish. All caught on pile worms.

Spotted Kelpfish​

Two guys down the railing were fishing for sharks/rays and hooked a nice-sized bat ray. They didn't have a net but I did. We netted the fish, around a 75-pound fish, and then I showed them how to remove the stinger without cutting off the tail (which they planned to do) and how to properly hold the ray by the mouth (which you should always do). Showed them PFIC on my cell phone so maybe we will have a couple of new members.

San Francisco Bay looking toward the Golden Gate​

I no longer fish for rays due to my shoulder but generally take along my hoop net and it's amazing the number of large fish I have been able to help people bring up with the net. I don' t know why people aren't more prepared. if you are going to fish for large fish like rays you need to bring along a net.

 

[Sly tuna]

Agreed! Good on you for showing them the ropes.

 

[Mahigeer]

They need to learn about the seven (7) "P"s.

 

[TheFrood]

They were keeping the ray?

 

[Ken Jones]

They were keeping the ray?

No, they released the bat ray.

 

[TheFrood]

Why would they remove the stinger if they are releasing it?

 

[Ken Jones]

They were totally afraid to even get near it. They wanted to cut off the whole tail but we removed the stinger which should grow back in a short time. I've heard in about a month.

 

[TheFrood]

They were totally afraid to even get near it. They wanted to cut off the whole tail but we removed the stinger which should grow back in a short time. I've heard in about a month.

That just boggles my mind. Fishing for something you are afraid to go near and are unequipped to land even if you do catch it...

At least it was safely released. Kudos for the education opportunity!

 

[moonshine]

Thanks for the report. I've only been to that pier once back in 1986. One of the more unusual piers I've seen. I don't think anything like it could exit in Southern California.

 

[SC McCarty]

Ken wrote "I showed them how to remove the stinger without cutting off the tail (which they planned to do) and how to properly hold the ray by the mouth (which you should always do)."

Don't bat rays have plate-like teeth for crushing the shells of their prey? Couldn't they easily crush fingers in their mouths?

Steve

 

[Makairaa]

Ken wrote "I showed them how to remove the stinger without cutting off the tail (which they planned to do) and how to properly hold the ray by the mouth (which you should always do)."

Don't bat rays have plate-like teeth for crushing the shells of their prey? Couldn't they easily crush fingers in their mouths?

Steve

They are certainly capable of it, never heard of anyone getting hurt though. Still, I am not putting my fingers in the mouth of something capable of crushing a pismo clam.

 

[Ken Jones]

Those that catch bat rays regularly know that it is safe to hold them by their mouths. I too once thought those powerful mouths were dangerous but I learned over time.


A small bat ray from the Crystal Pier



A bat ray from the Paradise Beach Pier
​

 

[Fishman Fishman]

View attachment 4156

Elephant Rock Pier​

After finishing up at the Kids Day on the Pier, I decided to head over to the Elephant Rock Pier in Tiburon for a couple of hours of fishing. Two hours produced two BIG black perch, a BIG walleye surfperch, two mid-sized brown rockfish and one spotted kelpfish. All caught on pile worms.

View attachment 4157

Spotted Kelpfish​

Two guys down the railing were fishing for sharks/rays and hooked a nice-sized bat ray. They didn't have a net but I did. We netted the fish, around a 75-pound fish, and then I showed them how to remove the stinger without cutting off the tail (which they planned to do) and how to properly hold the ray by the mouth (which you should always do). Showed them PFIC on my cell phone so maybe we will have a couple of new members.

View attachment 4158

San Francisco Bay looking toward the Golden Gate​

I no longer fish for rays due to my shoulder but generally take along my hoop net and it's amazing the number of large fish I have been able to help people bring up with the net. I don' t know why people aren't more prepared. if you are going to fish for large fish like rays you need to bring along a net.

Interesting pier and report. Very nice that you come prepared with a net. Thank you for helping the fishermen learn more about Batrays.