Giant Freshwater Stingray Vs. Two Boats: Six Hour Battle

4 years ago Nature

Jean-Francois Helias was cruising in a convoy of 2 wooden boats with a total of 7 people on them along the Bank Pakong River in Thailand. The men were equipped with some of the best fishing equipment around and had already caught a smaller specimen that day, which they released back into the river. Nothing however, could prepare them for the epic battle that ensued…

Giant Freshwater Stingray Vs. Two Boats: Six Hour BattlePhoto:

At 6.30pm the giant freshwater stingray took the bait. Weighing in at several hundred pounds and 10 ft squared, the stingray dragged the boats loaded with people for miles, taking them to the Nakorn Nayok River, then to the Prachinburi River, then back to the Bang Pakong River again, to be finally landed at the Nakorn Nayok River. No one knew how long this could last.

Jean Francois Helias and friend reel in Stingray

Helias said:

“We had to take over and go on with the fight. Philippe, Kik and Noi, two of my team guides, and yours truly would be taking turns, helping taming the ray by giving our best personal share of pumping.”

close up of the giant freshwater stingray

When the ray crawled along the river bed, no one could lift it, or reel in any line. It was impossible. Amazingly, everyone persevered. The boats were booked until seven in the morning the next day, so they still had lots of time and the crew thought that seeing as none of the line had snapped, there was no reason to give up for such a rare specimen.

Finally at midnight the ray was exhausted and it gave up. After a brief photo shoot, it was released back in the ocean.

ray caught

The giant freshwater stingray or Himantura chaophraya is a truly magnificent animal and quite a rare specimen. The enormous force: the power, strength and endurance and the sheer beauty is something only nature could create. Unfortunately, the rays are not often treated with respect and put back into the water, like they should. Overfishing is a serious problem. This is partly the reason why the stingray is classed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. That, as well as pollution of course.

Sources: Images and news via Fishing Adventures Thailand If you want to see more pictures and interesting articles about nature, giant stingrays and other things, why not subscribe to our RSS feed. We'll also give you a free album!

Written by: Chris

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Comments

Old Comments

Zack says

Sep 10th, 2009 at 12am
"This just seems cruel, to hook the animal for that long for what, to get a picture of yourself with a big fish?" cool, have fun cutting the line and leaving the fish to live with a piece of metal in its mouth for the rest of it's life

Roger says

Sep 6th, 2008 at 12am
It's interesting that this fresh water ray that was caught in a river was released into the ocean. "Finally at midnight the ray was exhausted and it gave up. After a brief photo shoot, it was released back in the ocean." Some of the commenters here don't realize that these fish can and do provide meals to more than one or two families who are trying to survive. You people released it, and though it may have been fun, this is often the only way to research fish this size.

TheElusiveMouse says

Aug 13th, 2008 at 12am
You guys are sick and mean to do something like that to a poor sea creature. it's not a sea creature (it's a freshwater sting ray) it was a freshwater sting ray and I'm sure it lived hooking a fish does not usually kill it nomatter the fight I'm sure it's fine. My opionion if your going to eat it that's okay, and it would taste best I think it would be best in Lemon butter sauce but that's just me. That was an awsome catch guys good job. thx for releasing it though that was respectful to the creature. Freshwater Stingrays are really cool and from what I hear for the expeirenced hobbyist make really good pets.

jeremy says

Aug 10th, 2008 at 12am
Dang thats a big fish, i bet it would make a lot of fish sticks... PETA.... People Eating Tasty Animals... yummmy yummy fish in my tummy

Derrinyc Russell says

Apr 7th, 2008 at 12am
Stop killing all these sea creatures for your own good.They should be treated just the way you would want to be treated ,as the golden rule says treat others as you would want to be treated. the only reason they attack is beacause they are in self defense mode so stop acting like you don't know better.You would not like it if you was a sea creature were a sea creature you would not like to be killed so stop killing harmless creatues they in the world for a reason you should study them and not kill them.If I am only 10 years old and know that you should know it you should know it to.Stop pushing the limit!This is from Derrinyc Russell

Derrinyc Russell says

Apr 7th, 2008 at 12am
You guys are sick and mean to do something like that to a poor sea creature.The thing didn't even do you nothing.

Fishy says

Mar 12th, 2008 at 12am
Its a fish for gods sake. Do we really care?

Smith says

Mar 12th, 2008 at 12am
Its a fish for gods sake. Do we really care?
Apparently you don't.

J D says

Mar 12th, 2008 at 12am
D00D OMG I CANT BELIEEEV U WUD DO THAT TO A FISH WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU !! I LOVE PETA AND U R GAY FOR DOING THAT EVERYONE KNOWS FISH HAVE SUPERIOR SENSORY AND MEMORY FUNCTION ROFL U NOOB! seriously though, youre all idiots.

angler says

Mar 12th, 2008 at 12am
Great Catch its a shame people dont understand how much fun it can be to fish for something like this. im sure the stingray was completely stressed out im sure it started therapy soon after its encounter with you. what a load of crap. You released the damn thing i cant stand people who cant just enjoy the fact that you caught something amazing and then had the respect to release it back to the wild without causing it harm.