I Caught The BIGGEST FISH You've Ever Seen! (300lb MONSTER!)

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Hey everyone! Thanks for watching. As ALWAYS, I'm sure there will be many among you who are very upset about my estimation of this fish's weight. For those of you that will read this comment before sounding off, here's how I came to the figure of 300lb... I measured the fish's length three separate times and with three separate methods (nose to tail, tail to nose, and the old big game hunting method of "between the pegs") and this fish is 8 feet and 2 inches on the dot. I even held my 8 foot rod over it's back and there was extra fish on both sides. Unfortunately, in my haste to return it to the water, I did NOT measure the girth (better for the fish, at least). HOWEVER, as I lied next to it and attempted to hold it and struggled very hard to maneuver it for the camera, it was abundantly clear this fish was bigger around than my entire chest and shoulders together, which tape at 47 inches. So I don't know the exact girth, but I know it was AT LEAST 47 INCHES. If you "don't think it looks that big" remember you only have a 2D format to view it and I actually held the thing. Remember also this measurement on a person is an oval and on the fish it's closer to a circle, something a 2D format can really betray if you just focus on shoulder width. Another very easy way to do this is to hold your arms in a circle (as you would bear hug someone or, in my case, that fish). As long as you put your hands on your wrists where they were when your arms were completely around the fish's midsection, you can get that girth measurement pretty easy. I moved the fish between takes and used a gable grip with my arms completely full of fish... about 49 inches. SO, using more than one formula (which actually leave out multiple variables that can contribute to weight) and comparing it with the very few other fish of this size ever recorded (length, girth, and weight), it is well OVER 270lbs AT THE VERY LEAST and quite possibly OVER 300lbs... Stating the fish is about 300lb is 100% reasonable no matter how you look at it. I am also well aware that you might very well have seen a fish bigger than this (I mean, sharks are thing, lol). First, I'm talking about this particular species and second, It's called 'marketing.' Just making that bag. Also, I don't really care if you're mad about these things just so long as you watch the video and comment and bunch... As Floyd Mayweather says, it doesn't matter WHY people buy the tickets... AND REMEMBER... If you take ANYTHING away from this video it should be the very good news that fish of this size are still here and that they are worthy of our protection! Alligator gar are incredible animals and are very important to the ecosystems they inhabit!

[@tsumello06]

Good video. Are you in buffalo bayou. There's some monsters in there!

[@wildlifefishingshow]

@@tsumello06 I don't want to say where I am in this particular video but you're 100% right about the bayou having great fish!

[@FRGGuideservice]

You don’t need to defend yourself that is a fish of a lifetime, and that’s how I feel about sturgeon, I love being a part of natural history too.

[@wildlifefishingshow]

@@FRGGuideservice ha, thanks but just wait, lol. I agree, sturgeon are magnificent animals!

[@texoutlaw1732]

and they should be protected as such by state fish and game just as the alligator snapping turtles.

[@KitchenOnTheLeft]

Man, it’s been a few days and I’m still blown away by this. Genuinely, I don’t think the average person could have pulled this off between the snags and the sheer size of this fish. Years of hard work and experience have led up to this catch, and the respect you gave the fish is the icing on the cake. Makes me proud to be a subscriber and a patron!

[@mattw4065]

I'm a (very) casual fisherman and I don't think for a moment I could've landed this fish! That thing was four legs away from being a crocodile

[@KitchenOnTheLeft]

@@mattw4065 I fish a lot and I still don’t think I could, either. I’ve never had anything close to this size on the end of my line, and I don’t think I have the experience to hold a giant gar in a triangle of snags while trying to tire it out like that.

[@MichiganUSASingaporeSEAsia]

This is weird. Michigan is loaded with alligator gar fish and they are majorly huge but to be in Texas? Strange but cool...

[@KitchenOnTheLeft]

@@MichiganUSASingaporeSEAsia weird, alligator gar aren’t supposed to be in Michigan. Longnose and spotted gar are native there, but not alligator gar. I don’t doubt that you’ve seen them there, but their native range is mostly the gulf coast and the lower half of the Mississippi River basin. Texas has the largest population, especially in the Trinity and Brazos rivers.

[@michaelshaw8370]

An absolute privilege to share a once in a lifetime moment. I hope that beautiful creature adds to the gene pool and that it’s progeny thrive in the future. One further example of just how vital it is to protect and maintain the ecosystems that these amazing animals live in.

[@wildlifefishingshow]

💯

[@mikivli]

@@johnblecker4206 don’t call us American Indians please and thank you. Native American or indigenous people of americas work fine.

[@wildlifefishingshow]

@@johnblecker4206 "help manage the American Indians" is the most watered down way to say genocide that I've ever seen.

[@munhsuhmunhuu1649]

@@johnblecker4206 Native Nations were victims of the genocide. I think you have just committed a crime by your action abusing and harassing the all Native indigenous people of America. That is crime, I believe.

[@tiahnapantovichtp]

Yup!

[@akennas]

I grew up in Texas, and as a Boy Scout went several times to Worth Ranch Scout Reservation on the Brazos River. One year when a buddy and I were canoeing mid-river, I looked to my left at a log besides the canoe. Only it had scales. And eyes. And a toothy snout. The alligator gar (easily over six feet) looked at us, we looked at it, and after lazily swimming parallel to us for a minute, slowly veered away and submerged. Over fifty years later, and that experience is still vivid.

[@iamchaunceman]

I’ve seen hundreds of gar growing up in N Texas, but most were streams and tributaries flooded from the trinity. Seeing one like THAT is incredible. The snouts and teeth compared to the ones I’ve seen this one was a dinosaur. And apparently, that’s what it basically is. Good on you for documenting this and letting it go. Something that rare and awesome deserves to get back to living.

[@wildlifefishingshow]

It was a great moment for me

[@derrickbailey9821]

Do you ever go catfishing in lake tawakoni

[@derrickbailey9821]

Do you ever go catfishing in lake tawakoni

[@justenhearn5179]

Congratulations brother! As an angler I can appreciate the tears of catching a fish of such caliber. While gar themselves are not rare gar of that size are. And when you think about its age that gar could be upwards of 90+ yrs. Probably closer to 95+ yrs. The things that gar has seen under the depths the rivers it's traveled. Truly a remarkable catch. Great job bubba!

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Thanks! 👍

[@justenhearn5179]

@@wildlifefishingshow you're welcome

[@mayanovak2497]

That’s insane

[@rew4640]

Absolutely amazing! Not only were you able to get that fish on the end of your line, get it up close enough to see it, but then to land it and successfully and release it by yourself is just awesome! Congratulations man and thanks for sharing it with the world!

[@patrickbrown1828]

The skills that you need as a fisherman to not only keep him on the line and pull him in, the entire process shows your skills are extraordinary!

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Thank you very much 🙏

[@damongwinn]

I'm not even close to what you would call a fisherman, but I definitely felt the emotion of your catch. Outstanding job and I look forward to more of your catch and releases

[@willthomas7666]

Feels like he’s fishing for sharks lol

[@johnpaparella7345]

What I'm about to tell you is absolutely true. About three years ago I built about a one acre pond in the back part of the property and stocked it with bass and bluegill. I was fishing the pond last fall when, to my surprise, I hooked an alligator gar twice the size of your gar, then my girlfriend woke me up.

[@ryan1034]

hey at least you still had the girlfriend when you woke up

[@cygnusx-1862]

Girlfriend was a consolation prize.

[@ragetobe]

I’m not sure you are awake yet because it’s very clear you don’t have a girlfriend.

[@COLE_and_JAY]

I hope this vid gets 10 million views. That was incredible!

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Thank you 👍

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Would definitely appreciate it if you shared it 🙏🙏🙏

[@MylesDeep617]

A collab would be amazing 😎😎

[@FishingWithAhrenAndMary]

My two favorite KZbin channels

[@jillybean8468]

Might happen....this was even trending on Twitter...lol

[@gerardoshaughnessy1924]

That was truly the fish of a lifetime. Well done .

[@bobcat1960]

Wow! That was truly amazing! I am so proud and thankful that you do the right thing… you handle these fish carefully and release them to spread their genes and to give someone else the possibility to experience what you experienced making this great catch. There are way too many selfish anglers out there who kill any trophy fish they happen to catch without any regard. Way to go! Great example, and just incredible how you keep topping all your previous videos. As for alligator gar… if you top this, you just may be setting the new world record

[@OkraPlutonium]

Dude thank you so much for filming this! I can't imagine how awesome this was for you, I'm so glad we got to share it with you. It IS emotional!

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Thanks!

[@rheverend]

I really appreciate the skill and strength it takes to land a fish like this, and I’m so thankful when the animal is released again back into the waters. It’s tragic to me that so many large, amazing animals are killed after surviving for so long

[@kawaiichan5771]

I just want to say thank you for your ethical fishing. You could have easily risked the fish's life to weigh it. But, chose to do the right thing so this monster can get even more epic. Well done!

[@bigsouthern2927]

He starved a whole family. What he's doing it unethical. Eating them is the ethical thing

[@baolongtruongcong5746]

@@bigsouthern2927which family?

[@ryanfallon]

@@bigsouthern2927 how so?

[@drbuttfungus3477]

​@@bigsouthern2927dumb comment

[@frozenclown4120]

​@@bigsouthern2927 oh god. You need help

[@xxcarlosxx16]

You’re just as much of a beast as the fish you caught. The fact that you caught that giant by yourself! Bro you’re the river GOAT. Congrats.

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Ha, thanks! Good dose of luck never hurt too 👍

[@ClayConnelly21]

Absolutely epic! The exact number doesn't matter to me, the eye test says it was a once-in-a-lifetime catch, bigger than the vast majority of people who watch this. I'd love to see you explore the Amazon for Arapaima and other monsters!

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Amazon is one of the dream trips for sure!

[@joeyracano1]

What a fish! What a loving, reverent man. Beautiful. Truly, we are blessed today. Great man, great sportsman, no ego, no thought of taxidermy. Just freedom and reverence. Booyah!!!

[@66exe]

What a beautiful and powerful moment between two incredible species.

[@johndoe1.196]

It must be a very odd experience for the gar- it's swimming around doing its thing, gets hooked pulled into another dimension and spooned by an alien haha. Fish encounters of the third kind! Congrats on pulling that thing in. It's freakin' huge.

[@zackdfilms]

Good lord man. This gave me chills. 😱

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Let me know if you want to head out for one sometime!

[@CONEHEADDK]

I don't understand circl hooks...

[@Mooskellunge]

@@CONEHEADDK How they work or.....?

[@CONEHEADDK]

@@Mooskellunge How anyone can expect them to be better than "real" hooks. I'm old school, instant strike to avoid "spitters", as we saw these fish do a few times.

[@Mooskellunge]

​@@CONEHEADDK Who said they expected them to be better than any other hook? I've never come across someone who instant hook sets on gar regardless of what hook they use. Most people avoid setting the hook instantly due to gar having very hard mouths as I'm sure you know, so even if you do "hook" it, the fish escaping is much more likely. Its obviously easier to hook the softer flesh in the back of the mouth/throat. And as long as it gets there, a circle hook is just as effective as anything else.

[@miniaturefun-guy]

Man your love for these animals really comes through. I was getting emotional at the end as well. Congratulations.

[@PortCity_Fishing]

I can also definitely appreciate the tears in this video. Beautiful fish, beautiful fight, and even more beautiful finish!!!!!!!! You DEFINTIELY got a subscriber in me bro. Real deal. Much respect and much love bro!!!!

[@5thhorseman559]

Man you have been blessed by the fish gods! Outstanding catch! Truly a life moment!

[@tomsullivan2726]

Congratulations!! I been watching your videos from the beginning and you are hands down some of the best content on KZbin!! Keep up the awesome work!!

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Appreciate it 🙏 💯

[@fernandoferdinand4866]

Wow!!...that 8footer almost knocked you out dude. Seriously you've got to be one of the best lone fishermen on KZbin...😃😎💪💯👍

[@wildlifefishingshow]

It felt like a horse shoving me, not like any fish I've ever felt. It's power was shocking. I really appreciate the kind words!

[@davidmolina3520]

What a blast ! Right out of Jurassic Park ! I'm so glad you have it on video, otherwise it'll be just another fish story.

[@wildlifefishingshow]

For sure!

[@chrisstewar]

Mr Payton more I want to say that you're a real champion I wasn't even watching fishing or nothing dealing with fishing at first I'm originally from Boston came to Houston a little bit of my younger days so I can say that you really do represent this city in one of the most environmental friendly ways I've ever saw a person got to say keep doing what you're doing it's a lot of us out here that don't even fish or never fished in our entire lives but you happen to bring an idea that wildlife is beautiful and we should take part in the activities that's dealing with wildlife so I thank you man for being a great houstonian and representing for your city and representing for the state of Texas you are what Texas really represents

[@blueswallowtail4628]

Absolutely Awesome! The guy from river monster got to be envious! I would like to an episode with you & him swopping fish tails, Lol.

[@BeachBomberFishing]

Wow outstanding man! Well deserved, you are out there grinding it out, and it finally pays off!!

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Thanks!

[@LordKuufu]

@@wildlifefishingshow collab?

[@johtapia1]

Houston we made it!

[@thomasvanepps7551]

I admire your passion and respect for the privileged encounter with this true monster you had.

[@pikk0n1]

Wow... congratulations on the amazing catch. I'm really happy for you knowing how much effort you put into catching these fish and making these great videos. This will be hard to top.

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Thanks! I'm probably going to spend the next few videos going after some other species because I know I can't do that twice in a row 👍

[@dfen2614]

Best fishing video I've seen in awhile. What an absolute beast of a catch and experience to have. Thanks for speaking on the conservation of the species and fishery so that others may hope for the chance of hooking an incredible fish like that. Definitely worth a sub

[@MarielleBreneman]

Major props to you man for releasing that big guy back into the wild. You’re setting such a good example for anglers!

[@FishingWithAttitudeTV]

Fish of a lifetime bro. Congrats. I also never comment on videos so that’s how big of an accomplishment this fish is.

[@eldenrivas7842]

Dude I remember when you had less than 1k subscribers and now you are at 80k! Great quality content is the reason people keep coming back. Congrats on landing "the big one".

[@GGAnglers]

That is crazy, cant believe there are fish of that size so close to us🤯 Congrats on the awesome catch🙌🎣

[@benjaminjohnson3755]

There's bigger ones out there, but in the fish world you don't get big by being dumb.

[@johtapia1]

GG Anglers, I know you.

[@johtapia1]

Good content

[@mirriulahwaterdog]

@@benjaminjohnson3755 I'm so dumb that I have no idea where this bloke is fishing.

[@jimdishman2542]

I share your emotion, as I have yet to achieve my goal of a largemouth bass over 10 lbs. I've been fishing for 60 years and 8 lbs is the closest. Great job walking us thru the experience!

[@spueman133]

I don't usually comment on many videos, but I have to say, "You are THE MAN." I am excited for you to experience such a moment and for your release of the fish. I'm so sharing this video. Thank you for sharing this with us all.

[@HillbillyJedi88]

That's beyond impressive. I'm glad you had it on video because I don't think a lot of people would believe a fish like that lives there. That's some serious Jeremy Wade **** right there!

[@y0k0z00na]

Big fish story, only real very very real. Congrats 👏

[@easttennesseelife6914]

The fact that he let it go back in the water makes him a true champion that's the only way our species are going to survive is catch and release

[@tylerschoen5643]

Surely you do agree in keeping your catch if you actually eat it though right

[@easttennesseelife6914]

@@tylerschoen5643 definitely

[@michaelberry1938]

I love videos like this where someone completely has their hands full and you're not sure if they are going to land the fish or not. I felt that with you!!! Excellent catch

[@twilightblue8566]

I am happy to see that he released it.

[@olelbow5089]

Dude that was just insane! To catch an absolutely colossal fish like that, and to catch it by yourself is wild! Congrats man tight lines🎣

[@wildlifefishingshow]

I had two moments where I started freaking out internally: when I saw the size of it's head and then when I showed my rod/reel to the camera and realized the fish was longer than the 8 foot rod. Great moments I won't forget!

[@olelbow5089]

@@wildlifefishingshow that was a fish of 1000 lifetimes man! I freak out over a 40lb cats a fish like that I would’ve had to change my pants afterwards 😂

[@WMBayouLures]

Epic fish man! Hard work pays off for sure, you deserve it!

[@riffguru]

Amazing catch and release, my man! What an honor and privilege to see such magnificent animal. Good luck on your future endeavors!

[@ropace37]

I’m from the Houston area and have been hearing about this fish for last few days. Who cares about exact size and weight. While bragging rights are nice, that’s not what this guys about and it’s obvious in the video. Awesome specimen, and Great job getting it on video!

[@robertfrick6916]

Glad you mentioned its probable age toward the end of the video. I knew gator gar are a long lived species but wasnt sure just how old they can get. What an extraordinary experience!

[@Falcon408]

Absolutely incredible. Love your respect for these creatures. Well done. Glad you shared this experience with us. 👍

[@earthwormjfishing2362]

I’ve been watching your channel since almost the beginning and to see how far you’ve come is awesome and you deserve every bit of the success you are having brother. I’ve always admired the passion and respect you have for not only the gar you catch but every fish. That is a fish of a lifetime but I have a feeling the fish gods will be sending you plenty more monsters. As always great video brother, the day I catch myself a 50 pound flathead I will be crying for sure!

[@wildlifefishingshow]

💯

[@Notjustinnn]

Once in a lifetime moment! That's insane! I can't imagine how it felt to be present and holding that beast of a fish!

[@vanessariley3710]

Incredibly humble & he had beautiful respect for his massive catch and returned quickly to the WILD 😊❤️ 100 years old really ?? So so happy you let him go - thank you 🙏

[@debbieharrell4974]

RESPECT for releasing this once in a lifetime catch.

[@FlightSimHistorian]

I've caught some big gar in my time (back when I lived in TX), but never even close to that size. Congrats on that big one, man!

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Thanks!

[@EAR_JORDAN]

2:45 mark where the action begins.

[@Hugo-TX]

Congratulations on the magnificent catch!!!

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Thanks!

[@DanteB]

Absolutely incredible catch. Your raw emotion from it made it that much better. Amazing stuff!

[@youngnutrition8026]

One milllion is a understate ment this video will cycle for decades.I pray this video pays you well for the reminder of your life brother. congrats.

[@lannyseals2084]

WOW!!!! Congratulations my friend! That is an absolute beautiful and massive fish! I've been watching you for a long while and I know what you put in to your fishing and how much respect you have for the wildlife and it's habitat! Once again, congratulations on your catch of a lifetime and it's awesome that you were able to share it with the world!

[@saramarie516]

Incredible. I can't imagine bringing something that size to the shore! What an experience.

[@gregory13lil]

This needs way more attention! Bad ass catch man, incredible catch!!!!!

[@Angel-wi5pu]

I was reading an article and recognized you from the picture. Awesome catch and good on you for releasing.

[@danielmok3762]

Your genuine emotions really tell us that you love fishing passionately! What a catch! New subscriber!

[@TheQuickstab]

Incredible! This is making me itch to go out and fish

[@wildlifefishingshow]

💯

[@BuckCommanderOfficial]

That's a giant Gar!! We're making an outdoor themed viral video show, and would love to feature some of your content. Let us know if you're interested! strong work 💪

[@squamishfish]

Not the biggest fish I’ve ever seen , The Fraser River in British Columbia Canada has Sturgeon up to 1000 pound , This river exits into th3 ocean at Vancouver British Columbia

[@CharlesNolanArt]

Dude, everything about you is real I am blown away watching you. I am convinced there is a television audience for you! You can go as far as you want. I am subscribed!

[@MtnMan-ny6vu]

Brother...you have popped up in my news feed at least four times. Congratulations on this spectacular catch. You caught a record fish!

[@tiahnapantovichtp]

Amazing catch ! Thank you for releasing it back in the water. May it go in to create a bunch off huge gar offspring for future generations to enjoy catching! This was awesome!

[@ikkiikki8514]

Very very great that you kindly released it back to its enviornment

[@chriswilson9331]

That's a big un...when I was little I caught one of these at lake Grandbury. Had my uncle not been there it would have pulled me in to the water. It was only a foot, maybe two long. I remember being upset that we couldn't eat it. I couldn't imagine catching one this size, they have immense strength! Well done, good catch and congratulations!

[@Athiboy]

Congratulations on catching that giant alligator gar! What an incredible achievement and a true testament to your skill and dedication. Well done!

[@brianw3095]

You can really tell how much he respects nature. Keep it up and keep advocating for preservation!

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Absolutely 💯

[@Incal13]

Thank you for releasing it THANK YOU

[@RussMeister70]

Way to go! I am happy for you. Thank you for throwing him/her back. As well as not disclosing the location. To bad you weren't able to tag it in some way.

[@davidansell4497]

Hats off to you for the catch, landing and release! Very noble of you to take such good care of that magnificent fish.

[@roberthowse6337]

BRAVO, This is the biggest fish I have ever seen caught in America, Beautiful Fish, It is exciting to watch you catch this Monster and I know it had to really be something real special for you, Thanks For posting

[@wholetdadout7104]

Dude...great commentary on a legendary fish. Cool to see the respect you gave it and the 'couldn't be scripted any better' tail slap. Bravo...you've a new subscriber

[@marmitenot]

So glad you gave that amazing creature the chance to live out the rest of it's life. Very noble.

[@Melrose51653]

Not sure it survived

[@Victoria-b9r1x]

Dear Payton, first time seeing this video. Amazing… you have once again thrilled this old man! In sixty years of fishing…. This is epic! Keep it up kid, you are a legend in progress. Orlando Ron

[@richardikin]

ANY critiscism of the way you played that fish is unjustified. Brilliant job, fantastic catch! Congrats!

[@guilloryboy_4098]

Bro that's a huge gar and you got it all on camera this video will go down in history for fishing channels good job my boy 💪🏾

[@oluwaogundiran]

That was loads of fun even viewing! I jumped at the sight of the huge fish rearing its head. Job very well done sir.

[@danielhemple8649]

You're a good man for letting it go instead of chasing a record

[@randyrowland6744]

Thanks for being so humbled by your unique experiences. You take us where we can't go oftentimes. Thanks. What a fish.

[@wildlifefishingshow]

Absolutely, it was a humbling experience

[@douglasdenham4491]

Biggest chinook salmon I ever caught was just under 80 pounds, it was indeed a monster, but that alligator gar you got was every bit of 4-5 times the size of that salmon! So just to add my two cents… I would say your estimation was probably conservative by as much as 30 to 40 pounds

[@aloespruce]

I love the fish fighting noises lol sounds like me getting hyped over a 3 pound bass

[@johtapia1]

Bro I just watched you on tv! You’ve come a long way man, just shows that with hard work and dedication we can achieve greatness! Thank you

[@pdkonkol]

Unreal! That’s one you’ll remember for a lifetime. I still have a fish that makes me smile years after I caught it.

[@vigmed2624]

I'm winded just watching! Wow! Thank you for sharing this. This is what's so great about the internet, moments like these. Caught on video!? Amazing, man.

[@robinlawson2145]

Now that my friend was AWESOME!! excellent vid brother! Keep em coming!

[@madfishgaby]

I have watched this so many times and everytime I'm blown away! Absolutely incredible! This was a magestic moment of a lifetime!

[@rsg9190]

Yall fought and both walked/swam away, the best kind of fight, hats off, much respect, you got a new subscriber and supporter. Awesome job!

[@josevaldes6748]

I’m a friend of your brother in law and and sister they told me about this and I just had to look it up and see it. This was awesome to watch, congratulations on the catch.

[@jasoncatlin3686]

What a Catch! Like you said, a lifetime of a catch. Glad you recorded and shared. Amazing...

[@ropincolt16]

One Million!!! Beautiful fish, great catch

[@chadsmith7909]

I see that Denali rod 👍🏼🎣👍🏼 I Love mine .. Congratulations on the RIVER MONSTER

[@keredrellit3992]

i gasped out loud at the first splash near the river edge. amazing catch!!