As they say, everything is bigger in Texas, including their alligator gar.
A Kentucky man by the name of Art Weston lucked out when he went fishing in Texas, and he may soon be a world record holder.
Back in September, Weston went out on the water with world renowned fishing guide Kirk Kirkland in South Texas. The fisherman was using a 6-pound fishing line and managed to pull in a 283-pound monster with it.
Though the catch is still in the review process, the massive fish has the potential to break two separate world records. One is the tackle world record that is currently set for alligator gar, which stands for the moment at 279 pounds.
And according to the IGFA, the sheer size of the alligator gar (8 feet in length, 4 feet in width) could also make it the largest ever gar that was reeled in with a 6-pound line.
The IGFA (International Game Fish Association) even posted about the unbelievable catch, saying:
“On September 2, 2023, Art Weston was fishing in Sam Rayburn Lake, Texas, when he landed this massive 128.37-kilogram (283-pound) alligator gar.
With this fish Art can potentially set both the IGFA All-Tackle and IGFA Men’s 3-kg (6 lb) Line Class World Records for the species. Art was fishing with Captian Kirk Kirkland aboard the “Garship Enterprise” when this potential record gar struck a cut bait.
Art was able to land the gar following an incredible 2-hour and 45-minute battle. After recording the weight on a certified scale, Art was able to release the fish safely. This record is currently pending and under review.”
Not sure how you can top catching a fish that could potentially hold two world records, but Weston says that he plans on going back to Texas to catch more fish next year, and might even try his hand in record hunting in Wisconsin sometime soon as well.
