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How to catch Australian bull ray

Myliobatis australis Macleay, 1881

About Australian bull ray fishing

The Australian bull ray is a large benthopelagic cartilaginous fish belonging to the family Myliobatidae. It features a distinctive diamond-shaped disc with wide pectoral fins, a projecting frog-like head, and a long, whip-like tail armed with a venomous spine. Its dorsal surface typically displays an olive-green, dark brown, or yellowish hue marked with grey or pale blue patterns, contrasting with a white underside. Inhabiting coastal waters, sandy flats, seagrass meadows, bays, and estuaries down to 85 metres, this species feeds primarily on benthic crabs and shelled molluscs. It is recognized as a game fish that provides strong sporting qualities for coastal anglers.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Market value

    Medium

  • Habitat

    Saltwater

  • Season

    Spring, Autumn, Winter

  • Also known as

    Bull-ray, Cowfish, Cowray, Eagle ray, Fly-aways, Mill ray

Australian bull ray

Broad Head

Distinctive blunt snout and elevated head profile identify this eagle ray species.

Whip Tail

Long slender whip-like tail bearing a serrated spine distinguishes it from flat rays.

Small Dorsal Fin

Small dorsal fin positioned just behind the pelvic fins on the tail base.

Australian bull ray fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    120 cm WD

  • Typical weight

    9.5 kg (max 56.5 kg )

  • Preferred temperature

    15–20.1 °C

  • Depth

    1–85 m

  • Body shape

    Other

  • Commercial?

  • Vulnerability score

    60.6

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Active

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Peak

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Peak

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Active

  • Night

    After dark

    Low

When to fish for Australian bull ray

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Australian bull ray

Tips for catching Australian bull ray

To target this powerful ray, focus your efforts on shallow sandy flats, estuary channels, and nearshore areas where individuals forage for crustaceans and molluscs. Heavy surfcasting tackle equipped with a wire trace is essential, as these fish make strong, sustained runs when hooked. Present natural baits such as whole crabs or squid strips directly on the seabed where the rays use electro-reception and jetting techniques to uncover buried prey. Early morning and late afternoon hours provide the most reliable sport, particularly during warmer months when activity levels peak across coastal flats and bays.

Other names for Australian bull ray

Local and alternate names anglers use for Australian bull ray.

  • Australian bull ray
  • Whiptail ray
  • Whip ray
  • Southern eagle ray
  • Ray
  • Mill ray
  • Fly-aways
  • Eagle ray
  • Cowray
  • Cowfish
  • Bull-ray

Best equipment to catch Australian bull ray

Compare fishing methods for Australian bull ray — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 9.5 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Australian bull ray

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

Diet and behavior of Australian bull ray

  • Diet

    Carnivore

  • Hunts

    Morning · Afternoon

Prey and predators of Australian bull ray

Prey is what Australian bull ray eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.

That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.

Prey

What it eats

Other prey

  • unspecified crabs juv./adults
  • unspecified shellfish juv./adults

Where Australian bull ray lives

Tied to reefs and rocky structure in shallow coastal water.

Habitats
Saltwater
Depth zone
Sublittoral
Continental shelf · 1–85 m
Water column
Benthic
Structure and substrate

Where this species lives

Where to fish for Australian bull ray

Mapped fishing spots where Australian bull ray is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.

Parua Bay

WhangāreiNorthlandNew Zealand