LAKE WALES, Fl. — An 8-year-old boy in Polk County, Florida caught an 11 foot 3 inch long gator late last month. It was his first real catch despite gator hunting several times with his dad.
Grayson Chantley caught the gator on Lake Kissimmee late last month. He says his dad woke him up around midnight to go hunting.
“Whenever they’re big, I’m just like I want to get this gator,” Chantley told WFTS.
His dad caught it all on tape. Video shows the moment he landed the gator.
WFTS
Photos show the gator’s head is almost the size of the 8-year-old. Chantley also showed off his catch to his older brother.
“I’m just shocked,” added Chantley.
Florida’s state record for the largest gator caught happened in 2010 in Brevard County. The gator was 14 feet 3.5 inches, according to state wildlife officials.
Grayson says he’s still amazed.
“It teaches him how to survive. It teaches him nature, teaches him life,” said Grayson’s dad, Kevin Chantley.
The family operates Grape Hammock Fish Camp on Lake Kissimmee. Chantley says he has grown up fishing and hunting.
