Houston Fifth-Grader Reels in Record-Breaking 8-Foot Fish, Dad Says

A fifth-grader who was out fishing with her father in Houston, Texas, on September 25, caught an alligator gar measuring over eight feet, according to her dad.

Video recorded by Paul Myers shows the giant fish, which Myers’s voice describes as “coming in at eight feet two inches” – which would’ve broken the current junior state record (93 inches), set in 2007, according to local media.

The father then asks 10-year-old Emily to pose behind the fish, saying to the girl: “Are you proud of your gar? One heck of a catch!” as Emily nods on camera.

In another video, Myers explained that, aware of the risks that the fish might die during transportation, Emily decided that she wanted to release it.

The alligator gar was not officially measured, but Myers told Storyful that he was “very proud” of Emily. He said: “We know it’s a record, that’s all that counts.” Credit: Paul Myers via Storyful

Video Transcript

PAUL MYERS: Emily's giant gar coming in at 8 foot 2 inches. Emily, go over there so I can get you without showing the spot. Nice big ol' fish. We're gonna get it released here. Hooked in the jaw. Nice safe release. Right there, Emily. Kneel down. Say hi, everybody.

EMILY: Hi.

PAUL MYERS: There she is. You proud of your gar? It's a heck of a catch, huh? And that's it though right there. That's her. We're gonna get her released. And that'll be that. Emily's giant gar coming in at 8 foot 2 inches. Emily, go over there so I can get you without showing the spot. Nice big ol' fish. We're gonna get it released here. Hooked in the jaw. Nice safe release. Right there, Emily. Kneel down. Say hi, everybody.

EMILY: Hi.

PAUL MYERS: There she is. You proud of your gar? It's a heck of a catch, huh? And that's it though right there. That's her. We're gonna get her released. And that'll be that.