The undulate ray is a rounded ray with a thick tail. Arun District Council says Sussex has a healthy undulate population that has grown over ten years. British boat record: confirmed.
Download the undulate ray fish guide (PDF)2 pages, A4, 351 KB: the facts on this page, the picture and how to fish with us. Free to print.
About the undulate ray
The undulate ray is a rounded ray with a thick tail. The back is dark brown, grey or yellowish, with thick dark wavy lines and white spots. It grows to about 3 ft and 20 to 25 lb, though another source gives up to 100 cm and 10 kg. Shore catches are usually 2 to 6 lb.
It lives over sandy or light shingle seabeds, usually in water at least 10 m deep and down to about 200 m. In Britain it belongs to the warmer waters of the south and west.
Globally the IUCN lists it as Endangered, and it is a UK priority species, so this guide advises returning every fish unharmed. Landing is prohibited in some UK areas, and the Channel has commercial rules of its own.
Arun District Council says Sussex has a healthy undulate population that has grown over ten years. Kestrel Warrior also lists undulate rays among its boat catches. If one comes up, keep it in the water where you can, handle it gently and let it go. A quick photograph is plenty.
On the boat
The record gives no months for Britain. For Sussex, egg-laying runs from March to September, and more undulates appeared in West Sussex catches in April 2025. The methods listed are clipped-down single-hook rigs with a 1/0 to 3/0 hook. Peeler crab is the best bait, and mackerel, herring and squid also work. Off Sussex, anglers use whole mackerel baits from the boat.
British boat-caught record
Confirmed record
- Weight
- 22 lb 13 oz
- Where
- Off Weymouth, Dorset
- When
- 2016
- Angler
- S Juggins
Confirmed British boat-caught record: S Juggins, 22 lb 13 oz, off Weymouth, Dorset, 2016. The official list gives the year only. The official weight-based boat records were frozen in June 2024, and newer boat claims must be measured (qualifying wingspan 100 cm).
How we label records: the British boat-caught records table explains confirmed, claimed and none listed.
Care and rules
RELEASE. The undulate ray is Endangered globally (IUCN) and a UK priority species. Landing is prohibited in some UK areas, and the Channel has commercial rules. This guide advises returning every fish unharmed. Rules change: check the current rules before you fish.
Did you know?
Arun District Council says Sussex has a healthy undulate ray population, and that it has grown over the last ten years. That is good news for a species listed as Endangered worldwide.
Questions about the undulate ray
What is the British boat-caught record for undulate ray?
Confirmed British boat-caught record: S Juggins, 22 lb 13 oz, off Weymouth, Dorset, 2016. The official list gives the year only. The official weight-based boat records were frozen in June 2024, and newer boat claims must be measured (qualifying wingspan 100 cm).
Is undulate ray caught off the Sussex coast?
Yes. Arun District Council says Sussex has a healthy undulate population that has grown over ten years.
When is the best time to catch undulate ray?
Off Sussex: Egg-laying runs from March to September (Arun District Council). More undulates appeared in West Sussex catches in April 2025.
How big does an undulate ray get?
Up to about 3 ft and 20-25 lb. Shore catches are usually 2-6 lb. Another source gives up to 100 cm and 10 kg.
Sources
- British Sea Fishing: Undulate Ray: britishseafishing.co.uk
- Arun District Council: Wild Wednesday, Undulate Ray: arun.gov.uk
- BRFC Sea Fish Records, June 2026: anglingtrust.net
- Kestrel Warrior: Sea fish of Sussex: kestrelwarrior6.co.uk
- Prime Angling: West Sussex report 27 April 2025: primeangling.co.uk
Picture: Diego Delso, file page on Wikimedia Commons. Every picture in the guide is listed on the picture credits page.
