A stingray weighing nearly 800lb has become the largest freshwater fish ever caught by rod and line . The gigantic flat fish , which was 8ft wide and 14ft long , took nearly two hours to reel in . It was caught by American TV nature conservationist Jeff Corwin on the Mae Klong river in Thailand earlier this week . Scroll down for video . A stingray weighing nearly 800lb is thought to be the largest freshwater fish ever caught by rod and line . It was so big that several men on board a small fishing boat had to take it in turns to help on the rod . After getting the ray alongside the boat it was pulled into a specially-prepared pen where seven people lifted it out of the water so it could be properly measured . Specialists measured its width , length and girth to calculate its weight . The epic catch will be featured on 'Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin ' , which will be broadcast on ABC in the US later this year . After the catch Mr Corwin tweeted : 'Potential world record freshwater fish , giant stingray , 14ft X 8ft ! in Thailand filming for ABC 's Ocean Mysteries . ' He added : 'According to National Geographic , Fishsiam and Dr Nantarika Chansue , a leading stingray expert , this is likely to be the largest freshwater fish ever caught with a rod and reel . The gigantic flat fish , which was 8ft wide and 14ft long , had to be reeled in by several fishermen for nearly two hours . It could not be placed on scales so specialists measured its width , length and girth to calculate its weight . 'The battle to bring this giant fish to the boat was epic and it took many hours and multiple guys rotating off and on the reel . 'The experience was a true highlight of the series , not only connecting with a record-sized ray but being a part of cutting edge science . ' Rick Humphries , of UK company Fishsiam , whose fishing guides helped reel in the ray , said : 'We have caught over 450 different stingrays and our estimations have been proved highly accurate on the rare occasions we have weighed this species . A specially-prepared pen was used to contain the ray while Mr Corwin , fishermen and specialists examined it . It is thought the previous record was held by British angler Ian Welch , who landed a giant stingray weighing between 590lbs and 770lbs in the same river in 2009 . 'The larger specimens are always female and quite often pregnant , as was the case with this capture . 'The latest capture indicates that these stingrays are growing at a fast and healthy rate . ' It is thought the previous record was held by British angler Ian Welch , who landed a giant stingray weighing between 590lbs and 770lbs in the same river in 2009 . The Guinness Book of World Records lists the Mekong giant catfish , weighing up to 660lbs , as the 'world 's largest freshwater fish ' .
Caught by American Jeff Corwin on the Mae Klong river 2009 . Several fishermen spent nearly two hours reeling in the massive ray . Guinness Book of World Records lists Mekong giant catfish , weighing up to 660lbs , as 'world 's largest freshwater fish '