A man from Fort Wayne, Indiana, recently made headlines by breaking a state fishing record. Kyle Hammond managed to reel in a massive spotted gar while fishing on Rivir Lake in Chain O’Lakes State Park. The gar weighed an impressive 9 pounds and 11 ounces, surpassing the previous record. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) confirmed this achievement in a press release.
Using a spinning rod and reel with a white zoom fluke, Hammond successfully pulled the fish into his kayak. The gar, known for being found in shallow waters around vegetation, is a common sight in many of the state’s lakes. According to the IDNR, the fish has been spotted in 71% of the agency’s fisheries biologists’ glacial lake surveys.
Hammond wasted no time in setting the new record, as he managed to catch the gar within the first 20 minutes of his fishing trip. These ancient fish are long and cylindrical in shape, with elongated mouths that aid in their slow movements. Texas Parks & Wildlife noted that gar are considered primitive fish, with ancestors dating back to the time of dinosaurs, some 65 to 100 million years ago.
The avid angler documented his entire catch on video, as part of his hobby of sharing his fishing adventures on his YouTube channel, Indiana Kayak Fishing Journal. The video quickly garnered over 2,300 views within five days of being posted. This is not Hammond’s first brush with fishing record fame, as he had previously set another state record by catching a 2-pound, 5.6-ounce shortnose gar in 2021 while fishing on the Wabash River.
As news spread of Hammond’s latest fishing triumph, users flocked to his YouTube video to express their excitement and admiration. One user commented, “That’s a really nice gar! I’ve always wanted to catch one of those! I just started kayak fishing and I made my kayak fishing video on my channel and love watching yours!! Keep up the good work.” Another user commended Hammond’s efforts, stating, “I know how hard you worked for that fish. Great job Kyle.”
Others congratulated Hammond on his second state record, with one user saying, “Congrats on the 2nd state record.” Another user reminisced about their own encounter with gar, sharing, “I was fishing Chain O Lakes a couple weeks ago and saw a couple of these monsters swim by, glad you could land the big one! Congrats!”
Hammond’s 9-pound spotted gar shattered the previous Indiana fishing record, which was set in 2017 when an angler reeled in a gar weighing 6 pounds and 12.5 ounces. Fox News Digital reached out to both the IDNR and Hammond for their comments on this remarkable achievement.
In conclusion, Hammond’s remarkable fishing feat serves as a testament to the diverse and exciting fishing opportunities available in Indiana’s scenic lakes and waterways. His passion for angling and dedication to his craft have paid off in the form of setting not just one, but two state fishing records. Hammond’s success has undoubtedly inspired fellow anglers and fishing enthusiasts to pursue their own fishing dreams in the great outdoors.
