Lake Texoma, Oklahoma — A day of solo fishing turned into a record-breaking (and gear-breaking) event for Kingston resident Charlie Conway on October 10. Conway, a lifelong angler on Lake Texoma, hooked a monstrous fish that was officially certified as a new Oklahoma state record spotted gar, and is also believed to be in contention for a world record.
The impressive catch, which weighed in at 10 pounds, 8.96 ounces on a certified scale, was enough to shatter the previous Oklahoma record for the species by more than three pounds, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC).
A Fight Worth the Sacrifice
Conway recounts that the battle with the prehistoric-looking fish was intense enough to cost him one of his favorite bass rods. "The fish might've cost him one his best bass rods," the article notes, "but Charlie Conway says the spotted gar he caught in Lake Texoma on Oct. 10 was worth the trade."
Initially, Conway was unsure if the gar was a spotted or a shortnose, both of which had state records around the seven-pound mark. However, a fisheries biologist confirmed the species by noting the telltale spots on the fish's tail, a feature absent on the shortnose gar. The record fish measured an impressive 37 inches longwith a girth of "a little over 13 inches."
World Record Territory
The certified weight of the fish places it not just in the top spot for Oklahoma, but also firmly in world-record territory. While it is currently unclear if Conway will submit his catch for certification with the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), he is preserving the monumental fish. Conway plans to have a full body mount made, ensuring the memory of the record-breaking day remains long after his broken rod is replaced.
The ODWC is also taking advantage of the historic catch. The fisheries biologist who certified the record plans to obtain the gar’s otolith from the taxidermist for research purposes, specifically to age the fish, providing valuable data on the growth and longevity of the species in Oklahoma waters.
Key Facts at a Glance:
| Detail | Measurement/Information |
| Angler | Charlie Conway |
| Location | Lake Texoma, Oklahoma |
| Species | Spotted Gar |
| Official Weight | 10 pounds, 8.96 ounces |
| Length | 37 inches |
| Significance | New Oklahoma State Record (Potentially a World Record) |
This extraordinary catch highlights the thriving populations of unique, native fish species in Oklahoma's waters and showcases the dedication of its angling community.
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