Saltwater · Year-round; warm months best, May to October in bays and surf
Bat Ray
Myliobatis californica
California's 'mud marlin' — a broad-winged ray that cruises bay mudflats and gives a famous fight on heavy tackle. It crushes clams and oysters with pavement-like tooth plates, and its tail carries a serrated spine, so handle it with stingray caution and keep it in the water for release.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Broad, bat-like wings and a distinctly raised, blunt head
- Plain brown to grey-black above and white below — no spots or pattern
- Pavement-like crushing tooth plates for clams, oysters and crabs
- Long whip tail with a serrated, venomous spine near its base — handle with care
- Smooth skin with none of the bony thorns found on skates
Habits
- Feeds over mudflats, often at night, blowing pits in the mud to expose shellfish
- Crushing plates grind up clams, oysters, crabs and shrimp
- Gives live birth to pups in bays and estuaries in summer
- Tail spine caution, as with stingrays — control the tail when unhooking and keep the ray in the water for release
- Travels in loose groups over sand and mud, flapping slowly just above the bottom
Distribution
Where to find them
- San Francisco and Southern California bay mudflats at night
- Surf beaches and piers along the California coast
- Estuary mouths and harbour basins on the evening tide
Where they live
How to catch them
Heavy surf and pier tackle — the 'mud marlin' fight Shore
Rig: Heavy surf or pier rod, 30-50 lb line and a sliding-sinker rig with a 6/0-8/0 hook baited with squid or mackerel
Bait/lure: Squid, mackerel
Key tip: Set a firm drag and let the first long run go — a big bat ray surges like a marlin in the mud, hence the nickname.
Bay fishing over mudflats at night Shore
Rig: Medium-heavy boat or shore rod fished over mudflats on the evening tide with clam, crab or squid baits on the bottom
Bait/lure: Clam, crab, squid
Key tip: Fish after dark when rays move onto the flats to feed; at release keep the ray in the water and mind the tail spine.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Heavy 10-12 ft surf rod or medium-heavy boat rod
- Line: 30-50 lb mono or braid
- Terminal: Sliding-sinker rigs, 6/0-8/0 hooks, pyramid sinkers
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 2-4 ft wingspan (0.6-1.2 m); large fish to about 6 ft (1.8 m) across and 180 lb (82 kg)
On the table
Fair — the wing flesh is edible and sold in some markets, but most anglers release bat rays after the fight.
Similar species
Round StingrayRound stingray is much smaller with a round disc and a short stout tail; bat ray is a big, broad-winged eagle ray with a raised head and long whip tail
Cownose RayCownose ray has a distinctive two-lobed snout and schools in midwater; bat ray has a single blunt raised head and works the bottom over mudflatsRegulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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