Angler tops IGFA all-tackle world record with 283 pounder from Sam Rayburn, certification pending
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GARGANTUAN CATCH -
GARGANTUAN CATCH
Kentucky angler Art Weston with the 283 pound alligator gar he caught and released at Sam Rayburn Reservoir on September 2. Weston, who was fishing with guide Kirk Kirkland, fought the huge fish for nearly three hours using spinning tackle and six pound test monofilament line tethered to a steel leader. If certified by the International Game Fish Association,the fish will be a new IGFA all-tackle record, 6 pound line class record, a Texas all-tackle state record and water body record. (Photo courtesy of Kirk Kirkland) The Great Outdoors by MATT WILLIAMS Outdoors Writer
One of the world’s oldest and most hallowed freshwater fishing records has likely been crushed by a monster alligator gar caught and released recently at Sam Rayburn Reservoir by Art Weston of Union, Kentucky.
The news comes courtesy of Kirk Kirkland of Trinity. Kirkland is a veteran fishing guide who specializes in targeting the toothy titans using rod and reel. He calls his aluminum fishing boat the “Garship Enterprise.”
Weston is a thrill-seeking big fish chaser with several International Game Fish Association line class world records already to his name.
On September 2, Weston was fishing with Kirkland at the lake’s upper reaches when he landed an alligator gar that weighed 283 pounds on Kirkland’s certified scale. The fish was released immediately after it was weighed.
Measuring 8 feet, 4 inches long with a 48-inch girth, Weston’s fish is a pending IGFA all-tackle world record and and Texas all-tackle state record. If certified, it will top the current world record and Texas record that has stood for nearly 72 years.
That mark — a 279 pounder — was set in December 1951 by the late Bill Valverde or Mission. It’s been reported that Valverde reeled in the huge fish using a homemade pole fashioned from bamboo. His Montague reel was spooled with nylon line of an unknown breaking strength.
Weston is a light tackle expert who specializes in going after really big fish using tiny line. Amazingly, he landed the Sam Rayburn bruiser using a six foot spinning rod and reel spooled with six-pound test Momoi Hi-Catch monofilament fishing line. He said the main line was tethered to a 175 pound test steel leader with an 8/0 J-hook. He used a chunk of carp for bait.
Look for a full recap of how the catch unfolded next week. ----- Matt Williams is a freelance outdoor writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by e-mail, mattwillwrite4u@ yahoo.com.