A man from Kentucky, Art Weston, is an avid fisherman who might have broken an international record with his latest catch while fishing in Texas. He has been passionate about fishing since he was a young boy, and he often fished with his father and brothers in Illinois. In recent years, he has been exploring various waterways with the help of a guide service run by Capt. Kirk Kirkland, traveling around to target International Game Fish Association (IGFA) world records.
“Fishing is my main hobby,” Weston said. “I have focused on river fishing in the United States and in South America, and I currently hold over 50 IGFA fishing world records.”
Weston claims to have broken a 70-year-old IGFA all-tackle world record during an eight-day fishing trip on Sam Rayburn Lake in Texas. He was on Kirkland’s boat when he reeled in a massive 283-pound alligator gar over the weekend. The fish was 4 feet around and more than 8 feet long.
“I caught a 283-pound fish on a 6-pound test line, which makes it even more special,” Weston proudly stated.
According to the IGFA’s website, the current all-tackle world record for this type of fish is 279 pounds, set by Bill Valverde on December 2, 1951, in Rio Grande, Texas.
Weston explained that during the fight, alligator gar often surface multiple times to breathe or jump. If you have an experienced guide, they can get a rope on the fish and bring it alongside the boat, which is legal for an IGFA record.
“We kept the boat right over the fish the whole time we were fighting it to be ready to land it when it surfaced,” Weston said.
It took Kirkland and Weston approximately two hours and 45 minutes to successfully land the massive fish. After measuring the fish, they released it back into the water, a practice they follow with all their catches.
“What I enjoy about fishing, especially record hunting, is all the strategy and knowledge you must gain, and how well you plan for each trip,” Weston shared. “I apply what I’ve learned from previous trips to keep advancing in the sport.”
Weston’s remarkable catch has made him a potential record-breaker in the world of fishing, adding another impressive achievement to his long list of IGFA records.
