Habitat
Cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus). Laguna Madre flats, channels, and Baffin Bay.
Where to start
The source places this species in bay settings. spring & late-fall migration (per Wikipedia) The source supports this as South Padre, Lower Laguna Madre, or nearby Gulf planning context. Treat the seasonal note as context, not a promise of a catch, open access or a particular day on the water.
Approach and bait
A common flat-water ray; shuffle carefully and use its own identification instead of applying shark rules by assumption.
The source names rod-reel (bycatch); bowfishing; gigging as gear or bait context. Confirm the current rules before using it.
Handling
Use handling tools and minimize contact. Treat any retention decision as a current-rules lookup.
Sources and current rules
This guide draws on a secondary reference: secondary reference. Identify the animal before retention or collection, then check the current rules for the water and trip.