Raja undulata
Photo courtesy of Milo
Distinguishing features
The undulate ray has the typical kite shape with rounded tips to the wings and a shortish snout. The back and snout are covered with short spines. The upper surface is a brown to sandy brown colour with multiple distinguishing darker wavy lines and yellowish white blotches.
Size
The undulate can reach a length of 1.3 metres and weigh over 9 kg.
British Record Fish List
UK Shore Record: 21lb 4oz 0dms / 9.638kgs
UK Boat Record: 21lb 4oz 8dms 9.652kgs
European Line Class Record for this species
Habitat
It is most commonly found in water 45 to 100 metres deep. Although mostly found over sandy bottoms it will inhabit areas where the seabed comprises mud, mussels bed or boulders. It is found off the south coast of England and Ireland down the Atlantic coasts of France, Spain and Portugal into the Mediterranean. The larger fish are found at the southern end of this area.
Food
This ray feeds mainly on small fish particularly flatfish as well as squid and crustaceans.
Bait
Oily fish baits such as herring, mackerel, sandeels and blueys are effective for undulate rays and squid will also produce fish either on its own or as a cocktail with fish strip.
