A Kentucky angler may have set a world record in Texas while fishing with a guide on Lake Livingston. Art Weston, the angler who has under his belt more than 40 world records, caught a 153-pound, 7-foot-3-inch alligator gar on April 8, using ultra-light tackle, according to FOX 7 Austin. He fished alongside Captain Kirk Kirkland aboard the boat named "Garship Enterprise."
In an epic struggle lasting nearly four hours and spanning over two miles, Weston eventually subdued the sizable fish. His objective had been to surpass the existing record for an alligator gar caught, on a 2-pound test line; the previous record was a 110-pound fish. The catch was challenging due to the choice of the fragile 2-pound line, however, Weston and Kirkland used 6-foot steel leaders and sturdy J-hooks to abide by IGFA regulations and help land the gar. Weston told News Beyond Detroit, "This is a situation where you can’t rely on the force you can apply to the fish, but more so, just put enough pressure on them to keep swimming and tire themselves out."
The alligator gar's record-breaking size wasn't apparent to Weston initially after it struck, so the decision was made to pursue the catch, only revealing its full dimensions during the lengthy battle. Describing the catch as a “true 1% likelihood catch,” Weston expressed his gratitude toward his guide Kirkland for the team effort involved in the successful capture and subsequent release of the fish.
After being brought ashore, the fish was weighed, measured, and photographed before it was released back into the lake. According to FOX 7 Austin, the IGFA is expected to certify Weston's catch as the largest freshwater fish ever recorded worldwide on an ultra-light line, and it will rank as the sixth-largest of any species, freshwater, or saltwater caught on such light tackle.
