When spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) reach the size of the one Luke Ledbetter pulled from Florida’s Indian River on June 1st, they earn the nickname of “gator trout”. Ledbetter was fishing with Capt. Peter Deeks near the town of Melbourne, FL when the massive trout crushed the live mullet he was using for bait.
After a dogged fight on light spinning gear, Ledbetter had the fish subdued. The fish measured out to an impressive 87 cm and was released alive – qualifying Ledbetter for the All-Tackle Length world record. The current IGFA record stands at 79 cm. IGFA – https://www.igfa.org/