Three fishermen were so surprised they could have been shocked, after a rare catch on the NSW South Coast recently.
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It was the kind of shock that could make an arm go numb.
Batemans Bay's Joseph Chalouhi, Ricky Wharepouri and Sydney's Steve Ker came across an interesting-looking ray on December 28 at Batemans Bay Marina.
"Everyone was crowding around; no one had seen anything like it before," Mr Ker said.
"It was very cool."
Not knowing what they hooked, Mr Chalouhi and Mr Wharepouri worked to release the coffin ray, also known as a numb ray.
"I had never seen anything like it, but apparently if you touch it, it paralyses you and can be quite dangerous," Mr Ker said.
"We didn't know at the time, so we got the hook out with some pliers.
"It wasn't until we read up about it after - it says not to do that, but instead cut the line and keep your hands away.
"We were lucky there were no injuries and it got away safely."
The coffin ray is native to Australian waters, yet rare to find as it often hides under sand or at the bottom of muddy estuaries.
The Australian Museum said the species was well-known to divers as one not to touch!
Using an organ in each pectoral fin, the coffin ray can deliver a powerful electric shock to anyone who touches it.
Its shock is a defence and attack mechanism for prey and predators.
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Divers have known the rays to take on prey as large as a penguin, before they swallow them whole using their expandable mouths.
Visiting from Sydney, Mr Ker was fascinated by the extraordinary catch, and looks forward to his next family fishing outing.
"I come down every two weeks and love to fish around Batemans Bay, even through all this the rain over the past week we were still out fishing," he said.
