Picture by Kirk Kirkland Facebook
283 Pound Gar on 6-pound line
On September 2, 2023 while aboard the boat of Kirk Kirkland, a renowned gar fishing expert and International Game Fish Association guide, Weston, a 52-year-old from Kentucky, managed to catch a 283-pound alligator gar using only a 6-pound fishing line in the Sam Rayburn Reservoir located in southeast Texas.
According to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), the fish, which had a length exceeding 8 feet and a girth of 4 feet, has the potential to establish a new record for the largest gar caught using a 6-pound test line.
Weston expressed his surprise at catching a fish of that size. He said they did not plan on breaking any records when using the 6-pound setup. He shared with the IGFA that he was in awe when the 283-pound gar suddenly appeared by the side of the boat, giving them a chance to examine it up close. He recalled how his eyes widened in amazement and doubted if he would ever experience the same level of astonishment again.
In a statement to Fox News, Weston vividly recalled the moment, exclaiming, “I distinctly remember shouting, ‘Oh my God, that creature is enormous!'” Meanwhile, Kirkland took to Facebook to express his pride in the catch, describing it as “the pinnacle of my career as a guide… a remarkable achievement for both the angler and myself.” He elaborated on the meticulous process involved, which included skillful maneuvering of the boat, precise adjustment of the fishing line’s drag, and a lengthy struggle lasting 2 hours and 45 minutes. Finally, after much effort, Kirkland successfully secured a rope around the exhausted alligator gar.
Catch and Release
After weighing the fish, they released it back into the reservoir.