Texas fisherman lands 200-pound alligator gar after 40-minute tussle

[Graybeard]

https://www.foxnews.com/great-outdoors/texas-fisherman-lands-200-pound-alligator-gar-after-40-minute-tussle

By Alexandra Deabler | Fox News

A kayak fisherman nearly lost his balance while reeling in a giant 200-pound alligator gar in Texas last week.


Chris Hernandez was fishing on a river on the outskirts of San Benito in his kayak when he hooked the monster. (Chris Hernandez)

Chris Hernandez was fishing on a river on the outskirts of San Benito, bobbing along in his kayak, when he hooked the monstrous creature and a 40-minute struggle ensued.

"He was dragging me all over the river," Hernandez said to My San Antonio. "For a minute I thought I was going to lose my pole because it was like halfway in the water."


After 40 challenging minutes, Hernandez was victorious.  (Chris Hernandez)

Hernandez said that during the tussle, the seven-foot gar -- the beasties are known for large, sharp teeth used to impale and hold prey -- tried to flip over his kayak using its tail.

Eventually, though, Hernandez managed to reel in the fish, though that presented an entirely new set of challenges. The fish was too large to fit on his kayak.

According to the local outlet, Hernandez held his fishing pole in one hand and rowed with the other to bring his kayak and catch back to shore.


Once he was back on land, Hernandez took a series of photos with his catch, which happens to be his largest ever. (Chris Hernandez)


Once there, Hernandez took a series of photos to show off his catch -- his largest ever.

 
The fish barely fit on the hood of his truck.  (Chris Hernandez)

In one shot Hernandez is seen lying beside the alligator gar, which is still at least a foot bigger than he is. In another, he poses in front of his truck, showing the fish strapped to the hood.


Alexandra Deabler is a Lifestyle writer and editor for Fox News.

[Matt]

Don't you wish you had one of those in your pond GB...


After living in Texas for a few years I must say everything is bigger in Texas...

[Graybeard]

Uh, not not really. Those dang grass carp were looking nearly that big last time I saw one.

[Argent 88]

Gar will sure mess up the Bass fishing. When we fishing on a lake in Texas if we caught one of those they were
about two to three feet long. We would pop it in the head with a 22. I don't know if that's legal or not,
but the Texans were doing the same thing. That and water moccains.

[Argent 88]

 Did you guys read where Florida is so over populated with Pythons that the state put a hunting bounty out on
them.