Hunters in Mississippi recently pulled in a massive 662-pound alligator, one of the largest ever recorded in the state’s public waters. Measuring just over 14 feet long, the enormous reptile was caught near Natchez, coming within 140 pounds of the standing state record.
The remarkable catch highlights not only the strength and size of the American alligator but also the deep tradition of regulated alligator hunting in the South.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on verified reports from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and local news outlets. Images are for illustrative purposes only and may not show the actual animal described.
1. The Hunt Begins Near Natchez
On August 29th, Blake Daugherty, his sons Cash and Cruz, and friend Jimmy Appleton set out on the water near Natchez, Mississippi. They hoped to find a 12-foot gator during the brief hunting season that opens every late August.
Instead, they heard something unforgettable. A deep growl echoed through the fog, sending chills down their spines.
Appleton later told the Clarion-Ledger that the sound was enough to make the hair on your neck stand up. Little did they know, they were about to encounter one of the biggest alligators ever caught in Mississippi waters.
2. A Monster Emerges From Deep Water
When the gator’s head finally broke the surface, the hunters realized they had found something extraordinary. Using sonar technology, Appleton tracked the reptile to the lake bottom, roughly 16 feet below.
What followed was a tense battle between man and beast. The alligator’s sheer size made every movement a challenge.
This wasn’t just any catch. The team knew they were dealing with a giant that could easily outmatch their 17-foot boat, and the struggle to bring it in would test every bit of their experience and strength.
3. The Battle To Secure The Beast
Securing the gator required multiple lines, a steel jaw loop, and two bang sticks. Appleton recalled how the reptile dragged his boat around like it weighed nothing.
The fight was exhausting and dangerous. Every pull from the gator threatened to capsize the vessel or snap their equipment.
After what felt like hours, the team finally subdued the massive creature and brought it to shore. Their relief was mixed with disbelief at the sheer size of what they had caught, a memory they would carry for the rest of their lives.
4. Weighing In At Red Antler Processing
Once the hunters arrived at Red Antler Processing in Yazoo City, officials recorded the true dimensions. The alligator measured 14 feet and one-quarter inch long, weighing in at 662 pounds.
That put it just a few inches shorter and roughly 140 pounds lighter than Mississippi’s current record. Appleton admitted it just didn’t seem real.
For context, the longest scientifically verified alligator ever caught measured 14 feet and 9.25 inches in Alabama. Mississippi’s monster came remarkably close to joining the record books, earning its place among the state’s most impressive wildlife captures.
5. Another Giant Caught Days Later
Just two days later, Joe Wyrick, his 13-year-old son Ryan Ragsdale, Hunter Parrett, and Camron Massey hooked another giant in the Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson. They expected an 11-footer but landed a beast over 13 feet long.
Estimates placed its weight between 650 and 700 pounds. Although neither catch broke the official record, both join the ranks of Mississippi’s most impressive finds.
These back-to-back captures highlight how alligator season brings out the state’s hidden giants, reminding hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike of the powerful reptiles that still thrive in southern waters.
