Fishing Giant freshwater stingray at Maeklong River – 29 01 2009
Once again the Fishsiam team returned to the Maeklong River in Samut Songkran province in search of Giant freshwater stingray.
Joined by Anglers Mail reporter Ian Welch the team fished at a previously productive area of the river positioning baits in the central section of the river.
After catching possibly the largest freshwater fish ever caught on rod and line the previous day Ian decided to let the team fish whilst he recorded events.
Several aborted takes announced the arrival of the stingray with baits being retrieved crushed to a pulp on several occasions.
A change to smaller baits was made in an effort to induce a take from the highly cagey Giant freshwater stingray.
Rafts of floating vegetation continually fouled the angler’s lines requiring the rods to be retrieved at regular intervals and repositioned.
The morning passed by uneventfully with no further action causing the anglers to move upstream to another previously productive mark.
After lowering down several baits the anglers waited for further developments.
Thirty minutes after repositioning the baits saw a blistering run develop on a rod fished with a large livebait.
Winding down into the fish saw the rod arched over into full battle curve as a large Giant freshwater stingray moved off with the bait.
A thirty minute battle followed which saw the fish clamp onto the bottom on numerous occasions in an attempt to evade capture.
Continued pressure applied from above saw the fish finally brought up from the depths and expertly netted on the first opportunity.
The large female fish was carefully transported to the nearby research station where Dr.Zeb Hogan examined the fish and carried out scientific procedures.
The fish was estimated to weigh 80-90kg’s and was released after photography.
