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Bat Ray

Myliobatis californica

RaySaltwater4ftUp to 180 lbEdibility: PoorSport Fish

Oceans & Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Oregon south to Baja California and throughout the Gulf of California. Found in bays, estuaries, and nearshore coastal waters on sandy and muddy bottom in 1–150 feet. Very common in San Francisco Bay, Tomales Bay, and coastal lagoons — one of the most common rays in California.

Preferred Water Temperature: 55°F–70°F. A nearshore and bay species found in shallow to moderate depths over sandy and muddy bottom. Forages by excavating craters in soft bottom with its wings — disturbing clams and worms. Common sight in Southern California bays.

Size & Weight: Typically 10–50 lbs. Maximum approximately 200 lbs and 6-foot wingspan. World record: 181 lbs. An impressive, powerful fighter that makes long runs and dives when hooked on heavy surf tackle. Venomous tail spine — handle with care. Good eating — the wings are cut into rounds similar to scallops.

Best Lures: Rarely taken on artificial lures. Heavy jigs bounced on bottom occasionally produce incidental catches.

Best Baits: Fresh whole clams are the top bait in California bays. Fresh pile worms are excellent. Ghost shrimp produce consistent results. Fresh squid on a heavy surf rig near the bottom of bays and nearshore areas. 30–50 lb tackle is recommended for larger fish.

Range

Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Oregon south to Baja California and throughout the Gulf of California. Found in bays, estuaries, and nearshore coastal waters on sandy and muddy bottom in 1–150 feet. Very common in San Francisco Bay, Tomales Bay, and coastal lagoons — one of the most common rays in California.

Habitat

Bat rays inhabit sandy and muddy bottoms in bays, estuaries, and nearshore coastal waters, typically at depths from 1 to 150 feet. They prefer sheltered environments with soft substrates where they can forage for buried prey. These rays are commonly found over eelgrass beds and in shallow tidal flats during high tide, moving to deeper channels as the tide recedes. They use their wing-like pectoral fins to excavate the bottom, creating distinctive feeding pits while hunting for clams, crustaceans, and worms. Bat rays tolerate a wide range of water temperatures and salinities, making them well-adapted to estuarine conditions. They are often encountered in harbors, sloughs, and protected bays where food is abundant. During warmer months, they may venture into very shallow water, sometimes visible from shore as they cruise over sand flats.

How to Catch Bat Ray

Equipment

55°F–70°F. A nearshore and bay species found in shallow to moderate depths over sandy and muddy bottom. Forages by excavating craters in soft bottom with its wings — disturbing clams and worms. Common sight in Southern California bays.

Tackle & Bait

Best Lures:
Rarely taken on artificial lures. Heavy jigs bounced on bottom occasionally produce incidental catches.

Best Baits:
Fresh whole clams are the top bait in California bays. Fresh pile worms are excellent. Ghost shrimp produce consistent results. Fresh squid on a heavy surf rig near the bottom of bays and nearshore areas. 30–50 lb tackle is recommended for larger fish.

Game Qualities

Typically 10–50 lbs. Maximum approximately 200 lbs and 6-foot wingspan. World record: 181 lbs. An impressive, powerful fighter that makes long runs and dives when hooked on heavy surf tackle. Venomous tail spine — handle with care. Good eating — the wings are cut into rounds similar to scallops.

Taxonomy

kingdom	Animalia
phylum	Chordata
class	Elasmobranchii
order	Myliobatiformes
family	Myliobatidae
genus	Myliobatis
species	Myliobatis californica

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