Blonde Ray
The blonde ray is the largest ray species regularly caught by Irish boat anglers, growing to over 37 lb and capable of using its broad wings like a kite in a tidal current to make retrieval genuinely hard work.
Cork Harbour — particularly the Turbot Bank — is the heartland of Irish blonde ray fishing, though the species turns up along the south and west coasts wherever clean sandy ground meets deeper water.
Most specimens come from boat marks; shore catches are rare enough to make the news.
Scientific Name: Raja brachyura
Also known as Blonde skate
- Light golden-brown on top with numerous small dark brown spots that extend all the way to the outer margins of the wings — the key distinction from the spotted ray, whose spots stop short of the edge.
- White underside with a prominent border of prickles along the wing margins; a rough, sandpaper-like disc overall.
- Grows to around 120 cm and over 18 kg (40 lb); the Irish record stands at 37 lb, and the specimen weight is 25 lb — anything over 10 lb is a solid fish.
- Noticeably larger and broader across the disc than thornback or homelyn rays, which helps with waterside ID on bigger fish.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- A native species found in inshore and coastal shelf waters, generally in less than 100 m depth, with a preference for sandy and muddy ground.
- Locally abundant in Cork Harbour and along the south coast; also recorded in the Irish Sea and along the west coast as far as Donegal, though boat marks are closely guarded.
- Patchy distribution — can be common on specific sand banks and humps while being absent from seemingly similar ground nearby.
- Studies indicate declines have occurred in Irish waters, though the species may be locally increasing in areas where commercial pressure on competing flatfish has eased.
Key Locations
- Cork Harbour / Turbot Bank — the most productive and best-documented mark in Ireland; holds the Irish record and multiple specimen fish.
- Cobh, Cork Harbour — where the current Irish record (37 lb) was caught in 2005.
- Offshore sand banks along the south coast — specific marks are closely guarded by local boat anglers but the general area from Cork to Waterford produces fish.
- Donegal — the west coast has been explored for blonde rays, with fish present but marks harder to locate than in the south.
Specific Spots
- Sand banks and underwater humps in tidal channels — the Turbot Bank in Cork Harbour is the classic example; the current pushes bait scent across the bank and concentrates fish on the up-tide face.
- Sandy ground adjacent to rocky reef edges, where rays move onto the sand to feed but use the structure as a reference point.
- Deeper holes and channels (30–80 m) accessed by boat; blonde rays sit tight to the bottom and are rarely found in the shallower water where thornbacks are common.
Blonde Ray FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Blonde Ray?
Squid is the go-to boat bait, tough enough to stay on the hook in a tidal run and carries scent well across sandy ground. Mackerel (whole small fish or large flapper-cut sections) works well, particularly when fish are actively feeding; the bulk deters smaller species.
When is the best time to fish for Blonde Ray?
Can be caught year-round in Cork Harbour, but mid-summer through December is when most targeted fishing takes place and fish are most reliably on the banks. Egg-laying runs from roughly February through August, so large females may be more localised on sandy ground during this period.
How do you catch Blonde Ray?
Almost all Irish blonde ray fishing is done from a boat at anchor over sand banks, fishing large baits hard on the bottom in tidal runs.
What do Blonde Ray eat?
Prawns, shrimp, and sandeels make up the bulk of natural feeding, which is why sandeel baits on a flapper rig are a proven starting point when targeting them specifically.
Where do Blonde Ray live?
A native species found in inshore and coastal shelf waters, generally in less than 100 m depth, with a preference for sandy and muddy ground. Locally abundant in Cork Harbour and along the south coast; also recorded in the Irish Sea and along the west coast as far as Donegal, though boat marks are closely guarded.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Blonde Ray.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every Blonde Ray water
Pick Blonde Ray and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.
- 02 · Waterbody species
Tap any water. See what lives there.
Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.
- 03 · Angler Intelligence
Ask how to catch Blonde Ray
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where Blonde Ray are.
Open the map, filter by Blonde Ray, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
Explore other species
Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.
No species information available.
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.