![[Linked Image]](http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/06/photogalleries/giantcatfish/images/primary/catfish1.jpg)
Nearly nine feet long (2.7 meters) and as big as a grizzly bear, a huge catfish caught in northern Thailand may be the largest freshwater fish ever recorded.
Caught last month (May 1) in the Mekong River, a team of fishermen struggled for more than an hour to haul the creature in. It tipped the scales at 646 pounds (293 kilograms).
Despite efforts to keep the Mekong giant catfish alive, it died and was later eaten by villagers.
The Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) species is listed as critically endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), which means it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild. The rare specimen, captured in Chiang Khong district, is the largest since Thailand began keeping records in 1981.
The giant catfish is currently the focus of a World Wildlife Fund and National Geographic Society project to identify and study the planet's biggest freshwater fish—those that grow to 220 pounds (100 kilograms) in weight or more than 6.5 feet (two meters) in length.
"It's amazing to think that giants like this still swim in some of the world's rivers," said project leader Zeb Hogan, a National Geographic Society emerging explorer and a WWF conservation science fellow.
"We believe this catfish is the current record-holder—an astonishing find," Hogan added. "I have heard of three-meter-plus [ten-foot] catfish in Bulgaria, 500-kilogram [1,100-kilogram] stingrays in Southeast Asia, and five-meter [16-foot] arapaima in the Amazon, but up until now we have not been able to confirm these reports."
Other contenders for the title of world's largest freshwater fish include the Chinese paddlefish and dog-eating catfish—another Mekong giant.
Hogan says such big species are poorly studied and in urgent need of protection. "In many locations they are now so rare that the opportunity for documentation and study may soon be lost," he said.
Photographer Suthep Kritsanavarin witnessed the record catch on the Thai side of the Mekong, across the water from Laos. "I may never see anything like it again in my lifetime," he said.
Kritsanavarin says only four other Mekong giant catfish were landed this year.
That's it. No more noodling for me. 
Thats a small one. (relatively speaking)
For those of you familiar with Kerr Lake up here in NC, there have been confirmed sightings of catfish on the bottom of that lake that are as large as volkswagens. This is the lake of the popular Carolina Sailing Club's Governor's Cup every June.
In subsequent pics you can see that Hogan guy who works for the WWF tenderizing the fish for the natives with his patented atomic elbow.
Maughin
Wasn't there a 100 lb catfish taken out of Kerr recently? Do you sail there or at Jordan? I keep a catboat on Kerr and sail my H-16 on either of them.
Howard
Maugan (Tad) doesn't sail anymore. He gave up on his boat, and no longer goes to regattas with me on the I-20. Jake and Dave will testify that he has been skipping regattas. He must be getting old. Which nursing home you want, Tad?
Howard, I also am in Raleigh, and I sail on Jordan and Kerr occasionally. I will be at Kerr lake next weekend with the I-20. Gonna be there?
Trey
I20 314
Layline Rigging
www.velocitysailing.com
Trey,
I will be at Kerr tomorrow, July 3, and sailing the catboat. The forecast isn't for much wind but it will be cooler. Is it next week- 7-7 or 7-8 that you will be there? Is the Carolina Sailing Club having a race? I usually wait until the wind is going to be up to 15 to 20 before I take the Hobie. We were at Emerald Isle for a week with the Hobie, about 4 weeks ago, and the weather was perfect all week. Sailed out through the surf and chased dolphins.
Look for the Marshall catboat next time you are on Kerr and come by.
Howard
Trey, there's plenty of time for Kerr Lake this fall. When are you bringing the I-20 to the Outer Banks? Isn't it itching to get back in saltwater?
Greetings,
Hello to the group from North Carolina. I was raised in Raleigh and currently reside in Augusta, GA. I am an alumnus at NCSU and UNC. I am searching for a Supercat 17 (SC-17) in the Raleigh area. I was contacted by someone from Raleigh with one for sale but I lost the email address. Do you know anyone with an SC-17 in the Raleigh area? I hope to contact the owner. The owner stated he stored the SC-17 in his carport/garage. Happy 4th to you.
Regards,
Steve Knapp
Steve,
I looked around for you but could not find it.
I apologize. Keep up your search.