Spotted gar record broken

The clear waters of Lake Arbuckle in southern Oklahoma yielded a new state record spotted gar Saturday, March 15.

Brandon Taber, of Meeker, took the 9-pound, 8-ounce fish while bowfishing in the Guy Sandy Arm of the Murray County reservoir. The fish, which measured 38 1/4 inches long and had a 13 3/4 inch girth, is the new standard in the unrestricted (non rod and line) tackle division.

The record was weighed on certified scales at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s southcentral region office in Caddo and was witnessed by Randel Currie, south central region fisheries technician for the Department.

For a complete list of record fish and the procedures regarding state record fish consult the "2003 Oklahoma Fishing Guide". If you think you may have hooked a record fish it is important that you weigh the fish on an Oklahoma State Department of Agriculture certified scale and the weight is verified by a Wildlife Department employee.

 Photo Cutline: Brandon Taber of Meeker landed a new state record 9-pound, 8-ounce spotted gar March 15 bowfishing in the Guy Sandy Arm of the Murray County reservoir.

Reported by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation