The Unbelievable Giants: 5 Biggest Alligators Ever Caught In Florida (And The Current State Record)

Florida’s waterways are home to some of the largest American alligators in the world, and every hunting season brings news of another colossal reptile that challenges the state record books. As of December 2025, the official records for the biggest gator caught in Florida—measured by both length and weight—remain feats of incredible scale, but recent catches continue to push the boundaries of what hunters believe is possible.

The quest to capture the biggest gator is a high-stakes tradition in the Sunshine State, governed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). While the official records date back decades, massive alligators are still being harvested and wrangled by hunters and law enforcement, proving that true giants still lurk beneath the surface.

Florida's Official State Record Alligators: The Unbeatable Giants

The FWC maintains meticulous records of the largest alligators harvested during the statewide alligator harvest season or removed as nuisance alligators. These two reptiles stand as the undisputed champions, each holding a separate record for their extraordinary size.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

The State Record for Length: 14 Feet, 3 1/2 Inches

The title for the longest alligator ever officially recorded in Florida belongs to a massive male gator caught in Lake Washington, located in Brevard County.

• Record Length: 14 feet, 3 1/2 inches (4.35 meters).
• Location: Lake Washington, Brevard County.
• Hunter/Date: The catch was made by Robert Ammerman on the last day of the 2010 alligator hunting season.
• Weight: This gator weighed a substantial 654 pounds.

To put this in perspective, a 14-foot gator is longer than a typical sedan. This record highlights the extreme size that American alligators can reach in Florida’s rich, subtropical environment.

The State Record for Weight: 1,043 Pounds (Over Half a Ton)

Perhaps the most famous and awe-inspiring record is the one for weight. The heaviest alligator ever officially harvested in Florida tipped the scales at over half a ton, a truly monumental catch.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

• Record Weight: 1,043 pounds (473 kilograms).
• Length: 13 feet, 10 1/2 inches (4.23 meters).
• Location: Orange Lake, Alachua County.
• Date: This legendary gator was harvested in 1989.

The 1,043-pound gator from Orange Lake remains the benchmark for weight, a testament to the abundant food sources and longevity of alligators in North Central Florida's major lakes. Interestingly, this gator was slightly shorter than the length record holder, demonstrating that girth and mass are not always proportional to length in older, mature gators.

Recent Monster Catches Challenging the Records (2023-2025)

While the official records are tough to beat, the last few years have seen several gargantuan catches that have captivated the public and demonstrated that the next record-breaker could be just around the corner. These recent giants are a major part of the annual alligator hunting season news cycle.

The 920-Pound Orlando "Beast"

One of the most significant recent catches came in late August, when a team of hunters captured what is believed to be the second-heaviest alligator ever recorded in the state.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

• Weight: 920 pounds.
• Length: Nearly 13 feet, 4 inches.
• Location: A small lake in the Orlando area.
• Hunter: Florida hunting guide Kevin Brotz and his team.

Brotz’s catch was a monumental effort, requiring an intense, hours-long battle to secure the animal. The sheer mass of this gator—just 123 pounds shy of the all-time weight record—highlights the presence of truly ancient, massive alligators in even smaller, more urbanized bodies of water near Central Florida.

The 14-Foot Sarasota County Colossus

In another high-profile incident, a 14-foot alligator weighing approximately 600 pounds was wrangled by Sarasota County deputies after it was found blocking a roadway.

• Length: 14 feet.
• Weight: Approximately 600 pounds.
• Location: Sarasota County roadway.

While not a record-breaker in weight, its 14-foot length places it among the longest alligators ever encountered in the state, matching the size of the official length record holder. The fact that law enforcement officers, rather than licensed hunters, were responsible for its capture underscores the role of the FWC's Statewide Alligator Harvest and the Nuisance Alligator Program in managing Florida’s alligator population.

Understanding Alligator Hunting and Size in Florida

The pursuit of the biggest gator is not just a sport; it is part of Florida’s wildlife management strategy. The FWC issues permits each year for the statewide alligator harvest, which helps maintain a healthy and stable alligator population across the state. The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) population has rebounded significantly since its listing as an endangered species, a major conservation success story.

What Makes a Gator a Giant?

The size of an alligator is largely determined by its age, sex, and environment. Male alligators, known as bulls, are the ones that reach the truly massive sizes.

• Age: The largest alligators are often estimated to be 50 to 80 years old, having survived decades in the wild. The 920-pound gator, for instance, was estimated to be around 90 years old.
• Habitat: Lakes and rivers with abundant prey, such as Orange Lake and Lake Washington, tend to produce the largest and heaviest alligators.
• Diet: A consistent diet of large prey, including fish, turtles, and sometimes even larger mammals, contributes to the massive girth seen in the record-holding gators.

The average male alligator in Florida is about 11 feet long. Anything over 13 feet is considered a true giant, and a catch over 14 feet is exceptionally rare.

Other Notable Monster Catches

The state has seen other incredible harvests that, while not records, remain legendary among the hunting community:

• The Okeechobee Giant: In 2016, a 780-pound, 15-foot gator was caught in Okeechobee by Lee Lightsey on a guided hunt. Though the length was widely reported, the FWC's official length record remains at 14 feet, 3.5 inches.
• The St. Johns River Gator: A 13-foot gator was caught in the St. Johns River near Jacksonville by hunters Keith Kelley and Kelly Sziy, requiring almost two hours to bring into the boat.

These catches, along with the recent 920-pound behemoth, ensure that the title of "biggest gator caught in Florida" is a constantly contested and highly anticipated annual event. The pursuit of the next record-breaking gator continues to drive interest in Florida's unique and formidable wildlife.