In the world of record-chasing anglers, Art Weston continues to set the bar higher with each catch. The 54-year-old from Kentucky recently boated and released a mammoth 153-pound, 7-foot 3-inch alligator gar on a mere 2-pound-test line from Lake Livingston in Texas on April 8—a feat that shatters his previous IGFA world record for the same line class.
Once certified, this catch will mark Weston’s 44th IGFA world record spanning 15 fish species across six countries, and it will make him the holder of all 12 IGFA men’s line-class records for alligator gar.
The giant gar was caught with the assistance of Kirk Kirkland, a renowned Texas-based gar fishing guide. The fish was weighed, documented, and released per IGFA standards. If confirmed, Weston’s new record will eclipse his prior 2-pound-test mark, a 110-pound gar caught at Choke Canyon Reservoir in 2022.
Weston’s 153-pound gar will also be the largest freshwater fish ever documented by IGFA in the 2-pound-test category. The successful landing required over three hours of careful play, as Weston and Kirkland followed the fish for two miles across Lake Livingston before finally bringing it aboard for weighing.
No stranger to records, Weston also holds the all-tackle IGFA world record for alligator gar—a 283-pound beast caught on 6-pound-test at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in September 2023, again with Kirkland guiding the trip. The Texas guide, who runs the “Garship Enterprise” charter service, is a recognized expert in IGFA-compliant fishing, having helped clients secure more than 170 records.
In another standout moment, Weston landed a 188-pound alligator gar on 4-pound test at Lake Sam Rayburn on April 7, 2024. That catch was made using cut carp as bait and was weighed with a portable certified scale and sling setup to allow for safe release—a standard protocol in Weston’s record pursuits.
Weston’s domination in the alligator gar category is unmatched. He holds records across all IGFA line classes: 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 12-, 16-, 20-, 30-, 50-, 80-, and 130-pound test, in addition to his all-tackle title. His commitment to mastering ultra-light tackle techniques for massive fish sets him apart from most anglers.
But Weston’s ambitions don’t stop with gar. His 44 current IGFA world records also include a Texas spotted bass, as well as exotic fish like streaked prochilod and tararira caught in Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay.
During a trip to Argentina in May 2023, Weston set five IGFA fly rod tippet-class records for golden dorado on 2- through 12-pound line. His catches included a 20-pound dorado on 8-pound tippet and a 31-pounder on 12-pound tippet—all caught within a three-day span.
He also holds IGFA length records for a 54.3-inch muskie caught in Minnesota, a 15.7-inch spotted bass from Texas, and a 58.3-inch longnose gar, showcasing his versatility in both size and species.
Weston’s adventures sometimes lead to bizarre encounters. While gar fishing at Sam Rayburn, he and Kirkland hooked a 200-pound alligator snapping turtle—an ancient and intimidating bycatch that devoured a bait meant for gar.
Weston’s reputation for landing massive, toothy fish on feather-light lines is built on meticulous tackle prep, refined strategy, and sheer patience. His dedication to the art of light-line fishing is unmatched.
“I don’t like to admit it,” Weston remarked, “but I wear a small fighting belt for exactly these situations. It makes it a lot easier to relax your arm muscles if you can put the butt of the rod in the belt.”
From South America to Texas waters, Weston continues to redefine what’s possible in the world of record sport fishing—one thin line at a time.
Image/Source: Wired2Fish
