This summer, Lanier anglers should target areas near the back of coves around natural cover, such as downed trees or brush. This means even at higher levels it does not create a mat on the water but can be seen as a green tint in the water. Art Weston with the 283-pound alligator gar he caught on a Texas lake in September. Research Need in the Lake Victoria BasinNovember 17, 2023; Research Brief: 20-Year Phytoplankton Biomass Trends in. 29 meters). Table of Contents. Last year, TPWD biologists analyzed the stomach contents of 392 gator gar collected at Falcon Lake on the Texas/Mexico border and found carp, tilapia and shad. Largemouth Bass Variant Names: Black Bass, Green Trout, Bigmouth Bass, Lineside Bass. Gill nets. Alligator Gar. An alligator was sighted this week in Lake Lanier and it wasn’t the first time, officials say. Even among the four species of gar that occur in Texas — longnose. Updated: Apr 10, 2023 / 06:19 PM CDT. The lake encompasses 38,000 acres (150 km 2) or 59 sq mi (150 km 2) of water, and 692 mi (1,114 km) of. Alligator spotted in Lake Lanier. Balus Creek Public Boat Launch Ramp. There have been occasional sightings of alligators but it is rare. From the range maps, one can gather that Cobb County, Lake Allatoona, Lake Lanier, and the entire north- eastern region of Georgia, should be Water Moccasin free, and any snake we see in the water is most likely the harmless Water Snake. The reptile's belly is creamy white, and its eyes are light brown. Gar. The alligator gar is the most tolerant gar species of high salinity and occasionally strays into salt water. It is just a 45-minute drive from Atlanta. A Lake Lanier fishing adventure is a perfect mix of both. Joseph. The Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) was cleaning the world. 6 km²) of water, Lake Marion is an excellent place for many recreational opportunities. An angler caught a massive alligator gar on Sam Rayburn Lake on Thursday, September 7. It can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh more than 300 pounds. It’s a reservoir that covers 59 square miles. Notorious for great striped bass fishing, Lake Lanier AKA Lake Sidney Lanier is a favorite for striper anglers. I spoke with Jason Clark of Southeastern Reptile Rescue who grabbed the yard-long alligator on Thursday, August 31, 2016. First, gar tend to feed most actively on small open-water forage fish like young-of-the year gizzard shad at this time of year. A specimen from Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, was documented at 9 feet, 8. While the. After more than 90 years, this legendary catch is STILL a Georgia State Record and tied as the World Record. 5-Foot Allatoona Gar Almost Breaks State Record. By McClatchy. A 3 ft (0. S. ” Blake is a bass fisherman and never really focuses on any other species of fish, but on this day he was in for a big surprise. How big can catfish get in Lake Lanier? Lake Lanier – supports lots of small channel catfish (1-2 lb) lake wide and fewer flathead catfish (10-40 lb), which can be found up the Chattahoochee and Chestatee arms of the lake. The saline levels in Lake Pontchartrain have dropped over the last few decades, so there might be more alligators showing up. It read, “Wicked Fishing Charters. These fish can get large, too. C. Alligator gars are able to tolerate brackish and even salt water, but they prefer the sluggish pools and backwaters of large rivers, swamps, bayous, and lakes. Cypress Lake, Louisiana. Coloration is generally brown or olive above and lighter underneath. 1-37. It has long been the topic of articles, debates and even books. It’s a long-lived leviathan with some of the eldest individuals swimming this very moment, having hatched when Apollo 10 navigated around the Moon in May of 1969. Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) populations are declining in the southern United States and Mexico, prompting increasing efforts by state and federal agencies to manage populations. Alligator hunting in Georgia has gained popularity in recent years, offering a unique and exciting experience. 1:12 Alligator Gar feat. The Lanier is […] 9 min read. These giant catfish live in the dusky waters of the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. . However, these reptiles are not native species to the waters here. After I grew up a bit, I sort of put those stories in the back of my mind. In this video, I let go of my pet alligator gar in a pond out at the new property. Kentucky angler Art Weston with the 283 pound alligator gar he caught and released at Sam Rayburn Reservoir on Sept. Lake Lanier has recorded more than 700 deaths since its creation in 1956and 27 bodies have never been found. Alligator. Alligator gar prefer large rivers that have a large overflow floodplane, but these rivers have all but disappeared in North America due to the use of dredging, dams. Feb 2016. The creation of Lake Lanier was plagued with problems from the beginning. Lake Lanier is officially called Lake Sidney Lanier, and it’s a well-known body of water in the state. The majority of algae in Lake Lanier is non filamentous nontoxic algae species. Lufkin native Mason DuPree was at work when his friend called him, telling him that his uncle was out on Rayburn and saw alligator gar spawning. In this instance, call the N. Lake Lanier is officially called Lake Sidney Lanier, and it’s a well-known body of water in the state. They are hungry, they are in tight schools under baitfish right now, and you can catch 30 to 50 of them in a few hours all summer long. It’s a long-lived leviathan with some of the eldest individuals swimming this very moment, having hatched when Apollo 10 navigated around the Moon in May of 1969. A new record was set for heaviest alligator gar caught at Lake Corpus Christi. Lake Lanier Videos. The near record alligator is believed to be the second largest alligator ever caught in the state, only. 1 m) and 250 pounds (116 kg). Patiently working every fishable inch of a brush pile can provoke some quality spots into taking the bait. Young may be seen at the surface in debris such as leaves and twigs. Ever since I was a kid I’ve heard tales of giant catfish in the lake. . According to the experts, the fish is called an 'Alligator Gar' fish. The other reason is a bit surprising. Kirk Kirland 's boat, the "Garship Enterprise. Growing up to 10 feet in length and weighing over 300 pounds, this ancient fish species has thrived in the state’s rivers and lakes for millions of years. Remove from coals, let cool, relocate Gar to garden, eat plywood and dung. Texas Parks and Wildlife shared a photo of the record catch on the ground next. The Amistad Reservoir is a cove-riddled lake located in southern Texas on the Rio Grande. Memorial Day 2013, we went striper fishing and ended up finding a school of gar near Taylor Creek on Lake Lanier. Longnose Gar have a much longer, narrower snout. Brown TroutThe name "alligator" comes from the Spanish "el lagarto," meaning lizard. Lake Lanier’s Striped Bass record is a massive 47 pounds. The alligator gar ( Atractosteus spatula) is a euryhaline ray-finned fish in the clade Ginglymodi of the infraclass Holostei / hoʊˈlɒstiaɪ /, being most closely related to the bowfins. Use a sharp fillet knife to cut through the scales and hide down the length of the spine to the tail. The state record for an alligator gar fish is 302 pounds, which was caught on a trotline in 1953. WATCH. Srinagar: The discovery of a carnivorous Alligator Gar fish in Kashmir’s famous Dal Lake has set the alarm bells ringing among scientists and authorities as its presence poses a great threat to the native fish species. 75 pounds; that’s more than a pound and a half larger than the previous record, which was set almost 23 years ago to the day – April 10, 1987. To report instances of poaching, harming, harassing, or intentionally feeding alligators, call the Wildlife Commission’s Enforcement hotline, 1-800-662-7137. The most polluted lake in Georgia is Lake Lanier. The alligator gar’s early ancestors have been traced back about 100 million years, from the Early Cretaceous. Gar average. Montgomery Lake. Preserving. The reptile was caught and transported to an alligator range in south Georgia in May 2016. S. After catching big stripers we had a little fun being in the lead for the lake lanier billfish classic series! Shooting for the money!Wanted to get everyone's opinion on this. J. ”“A single Alligator Gar measuring 145. The information can be submitted by filling out the Alligator Gar Angler Report Form online, by emailing alligatorgar. June 28, 2019 11:53 AM. HALL COUNTY, Ga. The assorted Lake Lanier accommodations are ideal for. Southeastern Reptile Rescue caught the gator around 10:30 p. These giant fish have a growing, almost cult-like following of anglers, and for good reason. There are three species of Gar that live in the Great Lakes. An orange-skeletoned alligator gar with a gaping mouth full of fangs slithered sinuously down the black card’s face. Solomon David. Brayden Garcia. In Oklahoma, alligator gar are mainly found in the Red River system, which includes Lake Texoma and its tributaries. S. – 5 p. Alligator Gar one of four species in Kentucky. There are several boat clubs and launches around the lake and shore fishing is known to be quite productive. The alligator gar is a large fish, weighing between 100 and 350 pounds and measuring between 6 and 10 feet long. What is the biggest bass caught in Lake Lanier? October 15, 2022 September 12, 2022 by Brent Pollock. Im not talking about big long noses, I mean alligator gar. Included on the monster fish list are alligator gar, lake sturgeon, paddlefish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish. Congratulations, Lester on a great catch. Alligator gar fish, mostly found in North America was discovered in Srinagar’s Dal Lake on Thursday. In fact, in 2022, three drowning deaths occurred in a single week, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. Georgia is home to the longnose gar and one of the best spots in Georgia to fish for them is on Lake Lanier. May 1, 1995. Office: (843) 546-0113. . In 2016, an alligator measuring 2 to 3 feet was spotted on the northern part of Lake Lanier near Don Carter State Park. If you have never caught a Spotted Bass you are in for one of the hardest fights pound for pound that exist. Just out having fun with some friends. However, because of its murky water covered with tree trunks and other debris that can easily entangle swimmers, Lake Lanier can be dangerous. 3 miles from Sooke, in Capital Regional District, in the province of British Columbia, Canada. May 13, 2023. According to Discover Lake Lanier, approximately 11. One of Lake Lanier’s most popular urban legends involves a car wreck. Growth of older fish is much slower, taking about 10 years to attain a total length of 1 mAlligator gar reach an enormous 13 feet long and fatten to a plump 300 pounds. Brothers Cody and Charles Quirk from Harris County, Georgia, worked late into the night to tag one of the biggest alligators caught in Georgia this year. Alligator gars are one of the biggest freshwater fish in North America. In 2005 a man caught a Mekong catfish of 9 feet, weighing 646 pounds, taking the world record for the biggest catfish in. Lake Lanier is a deep lake in Georgia that is. There was a large population of black carpenters, bricklayers, and. It didn’t take him long to figure out it was a longnose gar. Tom Mann had 1 in his aquarium in Eufaula he took out of Lake Eufaula, but that was caught back in the 70's I believe. Alligator gar is one of the most unique and prehistoric looking fish in the world. You can follow seagulls hovering over Lanier until your $75,000 boat runs out of gas. Who would’ve thought you could target hard-fighting game fish, tasty Panfish, and prehistoric Alligator Gar all in the same waters?. Lake Lanier is an artificial lake in northeast Georgia created in the 1950s by the U. This impressive 8,000-acre lake is known as the best lake in North Texas! There’s a ton to do outside of the water, like hiking, camping, biking, and picnicking, as well as windsurfing, boating, and fishing activities on the water. striper caught on April 3, 2010 by Ward Schanhals. The tiny critter — it’s estimated to be about. Lake Lanier Photos. . Females can exceed 10 feet (3. com Alligators don’t live in Lake Lanier. Using a J-hook and a six-pound fishing line, the giant fish was caught, weighed, and then released. Alligators. 8 million. The huge fish beat the previous state record by more than 10 pounds. A 207-pound alligator gar set a record for Lake Corpus Christi before it was released back into the water recently. Fishing At Lake Lanier AKA: Lake Sidney Lanier Fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, green sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, yellow perch, striped bass and longnose gar at Lake. “I decided to take one of my normal fishing trips to Lake Lanier yesterday (Feb. Alligator Lizards are found in southern B. Adult male American alligators. 00:00. ) After chasing the gator under docks and around boats, Jason captured it using a snag hook — a “live capture technique that poses no. On a hot morning in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, two men pulled up nets from a lake in hopes of catching alligator gar, one of the largest and most feared fish. A crankbait is a moving bait made for catching the predatory species of fish under the surface as a moving animal imitating a baitfish in its environment. It provides perfect habitat for alligator gar. . The Alligator Gar, which is the largest of the gar species, is more commonly found in the southern United States. Here are 10 of the biggest alligator gar ever caught. Morgan Hart, Alligator Project Leader. Steve Williams Lake Hartwell April 2004 Bass, Shoal (tie) 8 lb. In addition to being a great striper fishery, the lake has healthy populations of catfish, bass, crappie, sunfish, walleye, perch, and gar. It is the largest species in the gar family (Lepisosteidae), and is among the largest freshwater fish in North America. com. According to the Georgia. S. The. As the name implies, Alligator. Males can attain a size of more than 14 feet (4. Some fish will only show interest if the player has applied specific bait to their fishing line. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is highlighting a major catch at one of the Lone Star State's lakes. It was created by the completion of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River in 1956, and is also fed by the waters of the Chestatee River. 0. 6 km²) of water. On March 19, 2022, Rachel Harrison caught this nearly 60-inch-long fish in the Coosa River. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources reminds residents that while alligators do not pose a threat to humans, they should be kept as pets. Remember that this is one of the premier destinations wherein people of Dallas and Fort. The Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) discovered a rare type of fish for the first time during the ongoing cleaning of Dal Lake on Thursday. You can be sure that Lake Allatoona is full of gar because the lake record was just broken in the summer of 2023. The Sugar Land resident set sail down a Houston bayou Thursday, determined to catch one of the largest alligator gars Texas has potentially ever seen. Long and slender with toothy mouths and hard, diamond-shaped scales, they are most common in warm, sluggish rivers and lakes. Humans tend to consume crappie for their mild and sweet taste. Solomon David. Biggest. 00:00. The alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) is a euryhaline ray-finned fish in the clade Ginglymodi of the infraclass Holostei / h oʊ ˈ l ɒ s t i aɪ /, being most closely related to the bowfins. The fish was weighed 327 lb (148 kg), and it had a. Georgia’s largest lake is Lake Lanier, a popular fishing spot in the state. There is a secret in the north Georgia mountains. Anglers have many options regarding fishing spots and fish species in the region. Alligator Gar have a distinct short, wide snout (like an alligator when viewed from above) compared to all other species (see below). With more than 700 miles of shoreline sprawling across 38,000 acres of water, spectacular Lake Lanier is the largest lake in Georgia and a popular destination for boating, swimming and unforgettable lake vacations. One of the most obvious –- and avoidable –- reasons for so many deaths on the lake. The state record for an alligator gar fish is 302 pounds, which was caught on a trotline in 1953. Found in Kilima Lake using glow worms. The females are larger than males. 66 °Support Now. This summer, Lanier anglers should target areas near the back of coves around natural cover, such as downed trees or brush. Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) populations are declining in the southern United States and Mexico, prompting increasing efforts by state and federal agencies to manage populations. Lake Hartwell. 7 18. The angler would have to turn it over to the DEC. For starters, the lake was dammed up in the 1950s. Brent and his trusty Leopard Catahoula hound Bleux and Jim arrived at the canal to find the chocolate water churning with spawning gar. Two species are native to Michigan waters: longnose gar and spotted garspotted. These giant fish have a growing, almost cult-like following of anglers, and for good reason. Lake Lanier News. Spotted bass in the two pound range are common and fish exceeding four pounds are often found on the end of. Jason Clark caught the alligator that had been spotted on Lake Lanier. “On Wednesday (Sept. A 4- to 5-foot-long, 45-pound gator was found dead in Lake Wylie near the Highway 74 bridge in Belmont. " The American alligator is black in color with rows of rough scales, or scutes, along its back. The biggest alligator ever found in Louisiana was a massive 19ft 2in. 2-7-23 KDWP to Renovate, Improve Kingman State Fishing Lake; 1-30-23 2022 Kansas Birding Big Year Results, 2023 Contest;. In 2015, a. Payton Moore dreams of giant fish. The information can be submitted by filling out the Alligator Gar Angler Report Form online, by emailing alligatorgar. Lake Lanier is a very popular reservoir in north Georgia for anglers and recreational boaters. Then one day I was out on Lake Lanier striper fishing and something hit the rod so hard it cracked it right in two. Rent a boat, list your boat, or become a Boatsetter captain today. Gar in Lanier average three pounds, but some individuals can reach up to 20 pounds. A small alligator recently spotted in Lake Lanier has been causing such a stir, you’d think someone had seen the Loch Ness monster. ) — Only one bass may be greater than 22 inches. The next morning Crow’s body was found. The most polluted lake in Georgia is Lake Lanier. Scott Evans and a team of hunters caught a 900 pound alligator at Lake Eufaula on Friday. It is considered the largest alligator gar ever caught in Lake Corpus Christi. After catching a potentially world-record alligator gar in September. He makes and sells a line of gar lures including topwater, trolling, fly-fishing, and weighted (1/4- to 3/4-ounce) versions. After catching a potentially world-record alligator gar in September. It weighed 356 pounds and was caught in Arkansas' Horseshoe Lake in 1931. 19, 2010, in Decatur County. Also on the Chestatee side there are lots in Thompson Creek area. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area, Lee’s Summit, MO. Carters Lake-Home to good numbers of keeper-size channel catfish. alligator gar was caught on Lake Corpus Christi before being released back to swim another day. The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a large species of turtle in the family Chelydridae. “A 1-year-old alligator gar will measure 18 to 24 inches,” he said. The greatest differences between a Florida gar and an alligator gar lie in their size and range. Butler Lake is a lake located just 9. Alligators can sometimes be found in river deltas. It is near the hamlets of Bellevue and Brunswick. Alligator Gar had the lowest observed heterozygosity (0. Falcon Lake Alligator Gar Fishing Exceptions. Thirty miles north of Atlanta, the Allatoona Lake Project is a popular boating and fishing destination. Field & Stream Online Editors. , 12-oz. There are two very different summertime approaches to catching largemouth bass on Lanier. The best time to fish for Alligator Gar is during the hot, summer months. Where Is Lake Lanier on the Map? Lake Lanier, a man-made marvel, is located in the northeastern part of Georgia. m. Lake Lanier, Georgia, US Fish Identification Chart. Female crappies can lay between 5,000 and 6,000 eggs and live up to 10 years. September 18, 2022 by Brent Pollock. Gar breathe air, and since hot water is low in oxygen gar tend to rise to the surface and gulp air into. TEXAS WILDLIFE: 10-foot alligator causes Houston 'traffic jam,' removed and rescuedLake Lanier Fishing. The post stated that Lake Lanier is over the full pool elevation of 1,071 feet, and most rivers in the Chattahoochee River Watershed are swollen. Are alligators in Georgia rivers?That fish is an incredible 283-pound alligator gar caught on Sept. Gar in Lanier average three pounds, but some individuals can reach up to 20 pounds. To change the bait, equip the fishing rod and press the right mouse button. Art Weston hold more than 50 current or pending fishing world records, but he will likely soon add two more to. Currently: TBD. That’s the same for fishing on Lake Lanier or your uncle’s secret pond. Georgia DNR warned people to give the reptile space even when the gator didn’t pose any threat to the public. My guess is there are probably a bunch of them. 32"N, 46°7'19. Memorial Day 2013, we went striper fishing and ended up finding a school of gar near Taylor Creek on Lake Lanier. 179) and the lowest allelic richness (1. It’s Called an Alligator Gar because It looks like an Alligator. Ken Riddleberger, regional game management supervisor for the. But on Sept. The SSA report, produced with input from many partners, underwent independent peer and partner review. Prospect: Lake Lanier supports an abundant Spotted Bass population with plenty of fish over the 14 inch minimum size limit. Just wondering because according to UGA's fishery department, NO River systems in Georgia Waters have them. . By Dakota Shadle Penn State DuBois. A predatory fish, Alligator Gar are sometimes referred to as “living fossils” since fossil records trace them back nearly 100 million years. Weiss, Lanier, and Hartwell!! Oct 7, 2010 #14. Notorious for great striped bass fishing, Lake Lanier AKA Lake Sidney Lanier is a favorite for striper anglers. The gar was so big, it measured a little more than 7'8". Don’t get too excited, though, as there have been sightings in the southern part. This appears to be either a spotted gar or a Florida gar. May 1, 1995. It was caught out of a Mississippi lake, an oxbow of the Mississippi River, in a fisherman’s gill net. The information can be submitted by filling out the Alligator Gar Angler Report Form online, by emailing alligatorgar. Beyond that, alligator gar make for great big game fishing. The ray-finned euryhaline fish having a mouth like that of an alligator was caught during a deweeding operation in the famous lake. “They reach 5 feet in roughly 12 years, and then they hit a wall, growing only about. In 2016, an alligator measuring 2 to 3 feet was spotted on the northern part of Lake Lanier near Don Carter State Park. I read some post on here saying that some people have seen/shot/caught some gator gar in Georgia waters. A page is devoted to The Lake Norman Monster on. Alligators begin courtship in April throughout most of their range and breed in late May and early June. 8 to 4. The catch could set a new world record. A boater spotted a gator north of the Olympic Park area a few days ago,. Gerald Kennedy’s name goes down in GON’s Lake and River records as holding not only the Lake Lanier longnose gar record, but for now, his 30-lb. Humans tend to consume crappie for their mild and sweet taste. Use pliers to remove the bones connecting the dorsal fins to the spine. Using a bow and arrow, a fisherman in Texas, US, recently caught a giant, prehistoric-looking alligator gar. The world’s largest alligator gar was caught in a Mississippi lake and weighed 327 pounds! About Alligator Gar. 4 feet in length. 682) among the nonhybrid individuals of the four gar species examined. Quests. 9 m) long alligator with a collar was seen wandering down a street in Brockton, Mass. Expert anglers prefer fishing at West Bank Park because this part of Lake Lanier has cooler and deeper waters that carp and bass typically inhabit. 5 inches and 302 pounds. Gars are exclusively found in North America, Central America, and Cuba, ranging from southeastern Canada. The alligator gar measured eight feet, four inches long, with a girth of 48 inches. It is also stocked with rainbow trout. Lake Lanier boasts over 38,000 acres of the best Striped and Spotted Bass fishing in the country. Alligator Gar Variant Names: Gator Gar Spotted Gar. Catch Bass or Carp at Lanier Lake’s West Bank Park Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia [email protected] 49. These giant fish have a growing, almost cult-like following of anglers, and for good reason. Continue reading. Young may be seen at the surface in debris such as leaves and twigs. If you have never caught a Spotted Bass you are in for one of the hardest fights pound for pound that exist. Gifting. Knoxville police officers disciplined after death of Lisa Edwards. temminckii is one of the heaviest freshwater turtles in the world. Sardis Lake is about 180 miles north of Jackson, MS. Arthur Weston, an accomplished member of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), managed to snag an 8-foot-4-inch alligator gar on Sept. DNR officials believe the photos. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. Lake Lanier Fish – Alligator Gar. Hunting in the refuge is not allowed). Water Moccasins tend to prefer slow moving- streams and swamps. Photo not available (as nice as it may have been to see!). One of the world’s oldest and most hallowed freshwater fishing records has. Ironically, Ward was fishing for spotted bass when the record striper hit a plastic Zoom finesse worm. Only this time, he would be bringing the bacon home. March 09, 2022 at 5:54 pm EST NOW PLAYING ABOVE WARNING: Search on for alligator spotted in local reservoir COWETA COUNTY, Ga. "The alligator is the largest gar, reaching up. It covers more than 38,000 acres in the southeast. By Tyre White Published : Sep. Jack Barnett, Gainesville, Georgia, has been guiding for longnose on Georgia's Lake Lanier for about 8 years. Both the 279 pound (126. What town is Lake Lanier in? Lake Lanier is located in North Georgia, just 60 miles from the state capitol of Atlanta. In fact, the night before Carr dove into the murky water, his buddy D. (Special Photo. The world’s largest alligator gar was caught in a Mississippi lake and weighed 327 pounds! About Alligator Gar. Fear no more, watergoers — Lake Lanier's rogue alligator has been apprehended. Whether you’re spinning, baitcasting or fly fishing. The daily bag limit is 5 fish for alligator gar while the possession limit is 10. Lake Texoma, located on the Texas-Oklahoma border, provides a suitable habitat for alligators. Part 1 is all about the biology of these amazing fish with a focus on Alligator Gar. Jacob Cannon told Channel 9 he was hanging out with friends Saturday night at Belmont's. Ironically, Ward was fishing for spotted bass when the record striper hit a plastic Zoom finesse worm. Lake Chatuge Hybrids Are Back. The lake is 57.