Undulate Ray
The undulate ray is one of the most visually distinctive fish an angler can pull from UK waters — its brown back is covered in dark, wavy bands so striking it's earned the nickname 'the pop art ray.'
Found mainly along southern and western England and Wales, it's a catch-and-release-only species, making every encounter a privilege rather than a meal.
Scientific Name: Raja undulata
Also known as Pop art ray, painted ray
- Brown back with bold, dark wavy bands running across the wings — unmistakable and unlike any other UK ray species.
- Rounded wing-tip edges; back covered in prickles, absent on the rear edges of the pectoral and pelvic fins; short, slightly translucent snout.
- Tail carries small fins — a skate trait that separates it from true rays, which have plain whip-like tails.
- Medium-sized ray; typical shore catches run to several kilograms, with larger specimens taken from boats over clean ground.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to UK waters; most common along the English Channel coast and the southern and western coasts of England and Wales.
- Primarily an inshore species, found from around 10 m down to roughly 200 m, though most angling encounters happen in shallower coastal water.
- Strongly associated with sandy and mixed sand-gravel bottoms in warmer, southern coastal waters.
- Population is concentrated in ICES divisions 7d and 7e — the English Channel — with some presence off the Welsh coast and into Irish waters.
Key Locations
- English Channel coast (Hampshire, Dorset): shore marks around Milford-on-Sea, Hordle Cliff, Barton-on-Sea, Highcliffe, and Steamer Point have produced undulates consistently.
- English Channel offshore banks (ICES 7d/7e): the core of the UK population; boat anglers working clean sandy ground across the central and western Channel find the highest concentrations.
- South Devon and Cornwall coasts: warmer western Channel waters hold undulates through the summer months, accessible from both shore and charter boat.
- South Wales coast: the species reaches into Welsh inshore waters, though encounters are less frequent than on the English Channel shore.
Specific Spots
- Sandy or mixed-ground gullies close inshore, where rays patrol for buried prey at night or on the tide.
- Edges of sandbanks and shallow offshore banks in the Channel, where tidal flow concentrates worms and small fish.
- From shore, low-water marks that expose clean sand give way to deeper gullies on the flood — undulates follow the tide in over these areas.
- Boat anglers work anchor-and-bait over clean sandy ground rather than rough reef, keeping rigs on the bottom where rays feed.
Undulate Ray FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Undulate Ray?
Ragworm and lugworm, fished whole or in large bunches on a size 2/0–4/0 hook, are the most consistent baits from both shore and boat across southern UK marks. Fish strip baits, mackerel flank, sandeel, or bluey, work well when undulates are actively hunting small fish rather than rooting for worms.
When is the best time to fish for Undulate Ray?
Late spring and summer (roughly May–September) bring undulates into shallower inshore water as sea temperatures rise, the peak window for shore anglers on southern beaches. Boat fishing over deeper Channel ground can extend the season into early autumn before fish move offshore with cooling water.
How do you catch Undulate Ray?
Most UK undulate ray fishing happens from shore on clean sandy beaches and from charter or private boats anchored over sandy Channel ground. Anglers fish bait hard on the bottom, worm or fish strip on a running ledger, and wait for the ray to move over the bait on the tide.
What do Undulate Ray eat?
Feeds mainly on small fish, worms, and crustaceans, crushing prey with plate-like jaws that include wedge, pointed, and chisel-shaped teeth suited to hard-shelled and soft-bodied prey alike.
Where do Undulate Ray live?
Native to UK waters; most common along the English Channel coast and the southern and western coasts of England and Wales. Primarily an inshore species, found from around 10 m down to roughly 200 m, though most angling encounters happen in shallower coastal water.
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