Skates are flat like Stingrays, but generally have shorter, fatter tails and lack the dangerous spikes. Several species are taken in Florida - all equally disliked by anglers. The most common is the Clearnose, shown here, which has transparent "windowpanes" on either side of its pointed snout. Small skate, with irregular darker spots and bars on dorsal surface. Translucent area on each side of mid-dorsal ridge on snout. Single row of thorns along the midridge of the back. Disk with dark brown bars and streaks and some spots. Front edges nearly straight or slightly concave