Posted on 10/26/2023 9:52:47 AM PDT by Red Badger
An alligator gar, part of species 'as old as the dinosaurs,' breaks new records in Texas and beyond
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The "monster" alligator gar that was caught in Texas last month has broken not one, not two but four International Game and Fish Association (IGFA) records.
Captain Kirk Kirkland served as the guide to Art Weston who reeled in the 283-pound alligator gar on Sept. 2.
Kirkland and Weston wrestled with the beast for two hours and 45 minutes, until they finally brought the fish aboard.
The anglers knew they had caught something record worthy when they saw how massive the fish was, Kirkland said.
"It is extremely rare to catch a fish that size on a six pound line. It's quite a feat," Capt. Kirkland told Fox News Digital today.
After weighing the fish, the angler's submitted an application into the IGFA in hopes of claiming some records.
While they expected to take home two records, Kirkland confirmed that they have now officially set four new records both in the state of Texas and in the world.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
It was caught on Lake Sam Rayburn. Just north of Jasper Texas.
I know that lake. Sounds about right.
In 1991, fishing guide Kirk Kirkland anecdotally reported catching an alligator gar measuring 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) on rod and line from the Trinity River.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alligator_gar
Big Alligator Gar are already in the Rio Grande. The previous rod ‘n reel record (279 lb.) was from the Rio Grande.
Not bad smoked, too. Just really tough to clean.
Go Gators!
With this big a disparity between the fish and the line strength, definitely you can’t have any snags nearby. In a boat, I’m guessing these guys could follow the fish when it made a run. Granted I don’t know how far a gar this big would run, but I’ve had a much smaller one, probably 40 lbs. or so, in two surges, run out ~200 ft. of 20# line, the 2nd run right into a downed tree. As they say, that was that.
In another instance I hooked a gar I believe was over 50 lbs. That was bank fishing on a creek entrance into the Ohio River. Same rig with fresh 20 lb. line. This one I tried to stop B4 it got into the river, as I knew against that fish and the strong river current there I had no chance. It didn’t matter — that fish snapped my line like it wasn’t even trying.
There have been a number of record Blues and Flatheads caught in recent years. I wonder if they are enjoying the Asian Carp?
“It’s all impressive but 6# test? Wow, that’s impressive.”
That is impressive! I remember years ago when I caught a 10+ pound catfish on an old Zebco 202 with about 2# test-line. It was pretty much a child’s fishing pole but it was the only extra set my hubby had when I expressed an interest in fishing as we were sitting on the bank of his folk’s lake. He had a nicer rig and had been fishing for a while and catching a few fish. I thought to myself that I could do just as well since my dad had taught me to fish on a cane pole while using red wigglers as bait.
I fought that catfish for what seemed like an hour before I finally brought it to the bank. The gears were stripped out of the reel and it was no longer usable by the time I was done. I can’t believe the line didn’t break. I must have been a good fisherman! LOL!
A buddy used 6# test line to catch a 12-foot hammerhead shark. I followed the line for 40 minutes and we (as a team) brought it alongside our 16-foot outboard boat.
The line parted six feet behind the hook. We theorized the shark’s skin simply wore through it.
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