A fisherman in Texas hooked a prehistoric and protected turtle species. Art Weston hoped to reel in some massive alligator gar, but another animal took his bait.
Kentucky Angler Reeled Alligator Snapping Turtle
Weston, a state and world record fisherman, reeled a 293-pound alligator gar on a six-pound line last year with the help of professional fishing guide Captain Kirk Kirkland. His catch broke the world record. So, he returned to Sam Rayburn Lake hoping to set another International Game and Fishing Association record.
However, on his return, he encountered another beast. The duo nearly captured another world record-sized alligator gar, but it couldn't hold on. The massive fish pulled them into a "stumpy area" of the lake, and they ended up with another beast—an alligator snapping turtle.
According to Weston, when the reptile took the bait, Kirkland knew it was not an alligator gar but a turtle based on how it fought the line. What surprised them was its monstrous size when it came to the surface. It was over 200 pounds.
Kirkland and Weston had to be cautious to protect themselves because the shark could bite them. They had to remove the hook from its foot and release it unharmed into the water because the shark is a protected species.
Kirkland skillfully and safely removed the hook before releasing the turtle back to the lake.
"The entire time, the turtle was tracking my movements and had its mouth open ready to strike if I made the wrong move," Weston shared.
It was reportedly a remarkable catch because of its massive size. Kirkland said the species was ancient, noting that it was rare to see them outside the zoo, much more to catch them.
The following day, the pair returned to the lake, hoping to catch another giant alligator gar. Using a four-pound line, they captured a 188-pound alligator gar, breaking the previous record of a 117-pound gar on the same small line.
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What Is an Alligator Snapping Turtle?
An alligator snapping turtle is a prehistoric-looking turtle. It's the largest freshwater turtle in North America and the world. It is taunted as the "dinosaur of the turtle world" due to its spiked shells, beak-like jaws, and broad, scaled tail.
Alligator snappers, which have a lifespan of 50 to 100 years, are virtually exclusively found in the rivers, canals, and lakes in the Southeast region of the United States. Males typically weigh around 175 pounds and have shell lengths of 26 inches, though they have been known to reach 220 pounds. The significantly smaller females weigh a maximum of about 50 pounds.
Most of an alligator snapper's life is spent in the water, except when the females migrate 160 feet inland to lay their eggs. Before coming to the surface to breathe, they can stay underwater for 40 to 50 minutes.
The alligator snapper uses a special kind of natural lure for its prey. A bright-red, worm-shaped chunk of flesh protrudes from its tongue, attracting fish or frogs near enough to be caught when a stationary turtle displays it on the bottom of a river.
Other than humans, who catch them for their meat and shells and to sell in the exotic animal trade, adult snappers have no natural predators. Due to a sharp decline in population brought on by unrestricted hunting and habitat destruction, they are now classified as threatened species. State laws protect them over most of their territory.
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