Justin Bond

USA – Montgomery, AL

We filled my 2010 Alabama alligator tag in the Chattahoochee river on August 22, approximately 20 miles south of Phenix City, AL (River Bend). The alligator measured 12'11" and weighed 720 pounds. This alligator is currently the second heaviest alligator ever taken in the state of Alabama. Pictured, from left to right, are Adam Donaldson, Dustin Jones, Brent Hatcher, and me (Justin Bond).

Our Story: Around 10:00 pm on the evening of August 21, we watched a large alligator climb from the bushes of a small island into the river. We hunted the alligator for three hours before snagging it with a rod and reel, equipped with 80 braided line and a 14/0 treble hook. The alligator sat on the bottom of the river for an hour and thirty-five minutes before resurfacing. At that time, we were able to attach two 640 pound lines to the alligator, each equipped with Muzzy gator getter heads. We also attached a harpoon to the alligator, causing it to roll and tangle itself in the lines. Although the harpoon came loose from the alligator, the Muzzy gator getter heads and the 640 pound line allowed us to drag the animal to shore at 6:30 am on Sunday August, 22, where we were able to dispatch it with a .44 magnum bangstick. Unable to load the alligator in our truck, we left our boat at the ramp and loaded the alligator on the boat trailer.