Monday, 21 Apr 2025

Fisherman catches prehistoric-looking alligator gar in 4-hour 'epic battle'

An angler from Kentucky says he may have broken a record for a 153-pound alligator gar caught in Lake Livingston, Texas after a four-hour battle to reel in the massive fish.


Fisherman catches prehistoric-looking alligator gar in 4-hour 'epic battle'

An angler may have broken a world record after reeling in a massive prehistoric-looking fish.

"It was an epic battle, lasting nearly 4 hours, and covering over 2 miles of lake," Weston told Fox News Digital.

The massive fish weighed 153 pounds and stretched 7 feet 3 inches long.

Alligator gars are a unique species of fish.

"Kirk and I have practiced light line before, so we were prepared with 6-foot steel leaders, the max length allowed, and a sturdy j-hook," said Weston. 

"The drag on the reel was set very low to allow the fish to take the line out of the reel without breaking it."

"This is a situation where you can't rely on the force you can apply to the fish, but [rather], just put enough pressure on them to keep swimming and tire themselves out," said Weston.

He said that in such a situation, multiple things can go wrong - such as lines getting twisted, obstacles snagging the line and the fish spitting out the bait. 

"It will be a pending 2-pound line class world record by the [International Game Fish Association]," said Weston.

Last May, Weston and Kirkland accidently reeled in a 200-pound alligator snapping turtle while trying to catch a massive fish.

Fox News Digital reached out to the International Game Fish Association, headquartered in Florida, for comment.

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