Giant Fish

[maccaroni man]

I was watching a nature program awhile back and it featured an area north of bkk where there are giant black stingrays in the river, i would like to take my son on a fishing trip there but need info on where it is and possible guide names. thanks for any help offered.

[robblok]

I saw the same show, not sure where to go but let me know how you got on with it. Sounds like fun but im sure it will be pricey too.

[Mosha]

Two rivers spring to mind if it was Zeb Logan. The Mekong and Chao Phraya. I think the latter was near Ayutthaya

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_freshwater_stingray

Edited July 26, 2011 by Mosha

[Penkoprod]

The show was River Monsters, with Jeremy Wade, if memory serves me correctly.

Google is always your friend

HERE

HTH

Penkoprod

[maccaroni man]

The show was River Monsters, with Jeremy Wade, if memory serves me correctly.

Google is always your friend

HERE

HTH

Penkoprod

great link, spot on thanks.

[Mosha]

Sorry got the name wrong Zeb Hogan

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080429-giant-stingray.html

and this link has guided tours

http://www.megafishingthailand.com/content/view/84/95/

[maccaroni man]

I saw the same show, not sure where to go but let me know how you got on with it. Sounds like fun but im sure it will be pricey too.

yep, mosha sent a link 15k/ 500 us dollars with a guide. might go bank bank fishing with a bamboo pole instead:)

[Mosha]

I do remember one thing about the Zeb Hogan Mega Fish series. They landed 1, and they had to return it before they got large enough scales. It was massive, the biggest anyone had seen.

[robblok]

I do remember one thing about the Zeb Hogan Mega Fish series. They landed 1, and they had to return it before they got large enough scales. It was massive, the biggest anyone had seen.

They are a protected species and must be handled with care. I can understand them not being able to weigh it. I would take specialised equipment. When i go fishing i got scales that go up to 100kg. But i also carry a sling as to minimize discomfort to the fish. (its better as lifting the fish in the net (what i did before i had a sling) But i cant see a fish like that being lifted in a normal sling

[robblok]

I saw the same show, not sure where to go but let me know how you got on with it. Sounds like fun but im sure it will be pricey too.

yep, mosha sent a link 15k/ 500 us dollars with a guide. might go bank bank fishing with a bamboo pole instead:)

Guided fishing trips are expensive, especially by foreigners and even by Thais if you don't know the prices. They might be ok for the average tourist (as a tourist id take a guided trip) but for the expat living here used to Thai prices they are high.

[Atmos]

refer to this thread on the sugar barge that sank on the Chao Phraya river last month

a pic from post #83 of one of the stingray that died as result

[rufanuf]

All the links in this thread are for the ginat fresh water stingray...Im not aware of a "black stingray" in Thailand's rivers although their are quite a few different species, but the biggest is Himantra Cha Praya (excuse spellinggs if they are wrong, too lazy to check ) . The main fishing spots for Himatara ChaoPraya are the Bang Pakong and the Maeklong Rivers. Its stated that the fish are endangered, but in reality they are most likely the only big river fish that IS NOT on the verge of extinction in their native habitats, simply because they are not considered good eating, so Thai's dont take them for food so keenly as other species. I wouldn't personally recommend taking a youngster fishing for these fish. Be very careful of health and safety issues. 1 rod and reel set up that is up to job of landing a big one of these will set you back 40,000BHT upwards, and really you need 4 sets to have a reasonable chance. So dont be so harsh on the trip organisers! You can of course go and play with your own equipment but dont expect it to be in one piece if your lucky enough to hook up in the river, even a small fish will have people holding onto you to stop you being dragged in. (as much by the current as the fish as it anchors itself to the riverbed with suction).

[maccaroni man]

All the links in this thread are for the ginat fresh water stingray...Im not aware of a "black stingray" in Thailand's rivers although their are quite a few different species, but the biggest is Himantra Cha Praya (excuse spellinggs if they are wrong, too lazy to check ) . The main fishing spots for Himatara ChaoPraya are the Bang Pakong and the Maeklong Rivers. Its stated that the fish are endangered, but in reality they are most likely the only big river fish that IS NOT on the verge of extinction in their native habitats, simply because they are not considered good eating, so Thai's dont take them for food so keenly as other species. I wouldn't personally recommend taking a youngster fishing for these fish. Be very careful of health and safety issues. 1 rod and reel set up that is up to job of landing a big one of these will set you back 40,000BHT upwards, and really you need 4 sets to have a reasonable chance. So dont be so harsh on the trip organisers! You can of course go and play with your own equipment but dont expect it to be in one piece if your lucky enough to hook up in the river, even a small fish will have people holding onto you to stop you being dragged in. (as much by the current as the fish as it anchors itself to the riverbed with suction).

interesting info, thanks.

[robblok]

Good point.. if they were good eating they would be dead already

I have no interest in trying my own equipment and doing this. You need a boat and a group of people to help you. This is one of those times i would recommend a fishing guide.

[quiksilva]

Agreed, you need an experienced team and good tackle for these monsters. I understand that the Bangpakong River, in Chachoengsao is also home to the Freshwater Giant Stingray

[pangit]

Agreed, you need an experienced team and good tackle for these monsters. I understand that the Bangpakong River, in Chachoengsao is also home to the Freshwater Giant Stingray

I agree that this is probably the one species where you definitely need a guide though the trips are not cheap. I have been recommended http://www.fishsiam.com/ by a number of different anglers. The guide "Boy" is very good so I hear.

[Lucky2]

Agreed, you need an experienced team and good tackle for these monsters. I understand that the Bangpakong River, in Chachoengsao is also home to the Freshwater Giant Stingray

I agree that this is probably the one species where you definitely need a guide though the trips are not cheap. I have been recommended http://www.fishsiam.com/ by a number of different anglers. The guide "Boy" is very good so I hear.

There is no doubt that 'Boy' is the number one guide as far as fishing for freshwater stingray in Thailand goes and he was the one in fact who guided Zeb Hogan

http://www.fishsiam....xpeditions.html

He also guided Jeremy Wade from Animal Planet's River Monsters series

http://www.fishsiam....nd-fishing.html