The 7-foot-3-inch behemoth weighed in at 153 pounds and Weston said it took him nearly four hours to reel in on just 2-pound test fishing line.
LIVINGSTON, Texas — “Sharing what was my most challenging catch of my life,” Art Weston wrote on Facebook after landing a massive alligator gar in Lake Livingston.
The 7-foot-3-inch behemoth weighed in at 153 pounds and Weston said it took him nearly four hours to reel in on just 2-pound test fishing line. He said they chased the fish 2 miles before hauling it in.
Weston said he caught the fish with the help of Captain Kirk Kirkland, the owner of Alligator Gar Fishing, a guide service. They said they almost lost the fish multiple times before bringing it in. Kirkland and Weston said they released the fish after catching it.
“A true 1% likelihood catch,” Weston said.
Weston claimed the massive alligator gar was the largest fresh-water fish caught on an ultra-light tackle in International Game Fish Association history. He said it was the sixth largest if you include salt-water species.
Commentors on Weston’s Facebook post had high praise for the catch.
“You are one in a million Mr. Art Weston!” one comment read. “So very proud of this and all your accomplishments.”
“Congratulations sir!” another read. “Tremendous accomplishment.”
Other commentors had jokes.
“They make great Fish Cakes but you have to clean them with a Chain Saw,” one comment read.