World record contender.
Kentucky angler Art Weston is adding another notch to his belt of world records after a trip to Texas. Art Weston, who has over 40 records to his name, called this most recent catch the “most challenging catch” of his life, reeling in a massive 7-foot-2-inch alligator gar.
On April 8th, Weston and his guide, Captain Kirk Kirkland, set out on Texas’ Lake Livingston with the goal of catching a gar weighing more than 110 pounds on a 2-pound test line. Luck was on his side that day while fishing off “The Garship Enterprise” as he reeled in a 153-pound beast.
“Ideally, we hoped to get lucky and hook a fish just slightly over the current 110-pound record, since it gets much harder to land fish bigger than that on such light line.
Captain Kirk and I have practiced landing these fish on light line before, so we were prepared with 6-foot steel leaders (the maximum length allowed by IGFA record guidelines) and a sturdy J-hook. We also knew to set the drag on the reel very low to allow the fish to run without breaking the line. You can’t rely on force to land a fish like this on ultra-light gear. The plan was to apply just enough pressure to keep them swimming and tire themselves out.”
Sports Illustrated reported.
With that plan in mind, they still needed everything to line up perfectly so that the line didn’t get caught on anything while tiring the fish out, and so the hook wouldn’t wiggle loose. Weston and Kirk were expecting the fish to swim for roughly two hours, but the monster he hooked had a different plan. Weston described the four-hour, two-mile battle as epic, but tough.
“This particular fish was very difficult, swimming eight-to-twelve-feet below the boat, and even resting on the bottom for ten or more minutes at a time. Our hope was she would rise to the surface to gulp air (common for alligator gar) next to the boat, giving Captain Kirk a chance to get a rope on her. But, of course, she did not cooperate for hours.”
After many attempts and a very twisted line, he and Captain Kirk were able to get a rope around the gar, landing the fish. After getting the fish to shore to weigh and measure her, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) confirmed that once official, this fish will be the largest freshwater fish in the world caught on ultra-light tackle (2-pound test), and the 6th largest if you include saltwater species.
While it still needs to be certified, this world record will be Weston’s 81st IGFA world record catch.
Weston, of course, had to thank Captain Kirk Kirkland for his help, noting it would not have been possible without him.
“Sharing what was my most challenging catch of my life. Captain Kirk Kirkland and I landed the largest fresh water fish on ultra light tackle in IGFA history (and 6th largest if you include salt water species).
We caught this 153 pound, 7 foot 3 inch Alligator Gar on just 2 pound test. It took nearly 4 hours to land, and we chased it for over 2 miles in Lake Livingston, Texas. Huge thanks to Kirk, as it was such a hard catch – we worked so hard to land her (almost lost her multiple times). A true 1% likelihood catch.”
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