Monster Fishing for Stingrays in Thailand at the Maeklong River

Monster Fishing for Stingrays in Thailand at the Maeklong River - 09 11 2009

Another research trip to the Maeklong River at Samut Songkran province saw the Fishsiam team once again fishing in the lower reaches of the river.

The trip was funded by Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok with the objective of catching various Giant stingrays for scientific examination.

With water conditions looking pristine the scientists did not have to wait long before the first freshwater stingray of the day was brought ashore.
After a very short ten minute battle a small female Giant freshwater stingray was quickly examined at the riverside before being placed in a custom built holding pen.
The freshwater stingray was measured at a width of 1.3m’s and was identified as being a female. The stingray was estimated to weigh 45kg’s.

After returning to the river the anglers experienced a very hard and determined take which ripped yard upon yard of line from the spool.
A forty minute battle followed which saw the stingray clamping onto the bottom on numerous occasions requiring the anglers to apply maximum pressure from above.

Finally the Giant Stingray was brought to the surface where it was promptly netted by the team.
The Giant Stingray was observed to be a particularily large specimen and was quickly transferred to the onsite holding pen.

The gigantic freshwater stingray was identified as being a female and measured at a width of 2.3m’s and was estimated to weigh 200kg+.

Returning to the tidal river saw the anglers changing location in an effort to catch one last fish.
Several aborted takes followed seeing the large catfish livebaits being crushed beyond recognition.

A further hour passed before another stingray moved off with the bait.
The anglers immediately wound down into the fish exerting maximum pressure in an attempt to lift the giant stingray from the bottom.

A fifteen minute battle ensued which saw the unseen freshwater stingray clamp onto the bottom on two occasions.
Each time the boat was repositioned above the fish before steady pressure was applied from directly above.

Several more minutes passed before the giant stingray finally broke through the surface layers.
The Giant freshwater stingray was netted on the first attempt before being transported to the waiting scientists for a veterinary examination.

After taking various blood, tissue ,toxicology and DNA samples the stingrays were retained overnight in the holding pen in readiness for an official release ceremony the following day.