"Alligator gar have a whole bunch of teeth," said Sam Lovell. Gar have two rows of teeth on their upper jaw, one on their lower. They don't attack people, but they are territorial, especially when being hauled into a boat.

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The fish dragged the boat through the river's swift current in sweeping circles. When it resurfaced, the guides noticed that both arrows were loosening. Gouliquer was able to stick a third into the beast just as the second fell out. Then the fish dove again. After many more minutes of pulling, the fish surfaced again and Gouliquer was able to get a fourth arrow in it. With three lines on the fish, the men could now work it to the side of the boat. Lovell and Gouliquer then pulled a massive cable hoop around the fish's gills and the three hoisted the gar out of the water.

"I was flabbergasted when I realized just how big the fish really was," Gouliquer said. "I just stood there and stared at the head that laid at one end of the boat and the tail at the other. I get excited all over again just picturing it."