Georgia’s Longest 2024 Gator

This 13-foot, 8-inch Lake Seminole gator was the longest one killed during the 2024 season. The hunters were (from left) tag-holder Daniel Garrett, Ashley Garrett, Lori Miles and Daniel Bridges.

Ever since the hype of “Swamp People,” catching an alligator seemed like something many people wanted to add to their bucket list. Well, on Sept. 22, 2024, four friends were able to check that one off their bucket lists!

It took six years to build up his points, but Daniel Garrett finally got drawn for a Zone 2 alligator tag on Lake Seminole. After his name was drawn, he reached out to schedule a hunt with one of the best, Chris Blackmon of Get-R-Done Alligator guide services. The hunt was scheduled, and his wife, Ashley Garrett, and two friends Daniel Bridges and myself joined him on the hunt.

The four of us met up with Chris and boarded the boat the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, for not only our first alligator hunt ever but for an adventure we will never forget.

After only 20 minutes of trolling on the water, Blackmon spotted something coming out from the shoreline. After using a pair of binoculars, he realized it was an alligator swimming out into the middle of the lake. He believed it to be at least a 9- to 10-foot alligator and asked Daniel G. if he was up to catch that alligator or keep looking. With it being his first alligator hunt, a 9- to 10-foot alligator sounded good, so they set up for the catch. Blackmon helped cast the fishing rod with a large treble hook on the end, and one cast was all it took. As the hook fell right past the gator, it was pulled once, and the gator was hooked.

One hook was just the beginning of the adventure. Blackmon started to troll the boat closer to the alligator, and that is where the real fun began. As the boat got closer, the alligator was mostly submerged under the water. Another line was thrown out to ensure they knew where he was and didn’t lose him. As the second line was being cast, the gator came up out of the water, and it was quickly apparent that this group wasn’t handling a 9- to 10-foot alligator, but something much larger.

Blackmon and Ashley were holding two lines when Blackmon called me over to help and hold one of the poles. Interestingly enough, Ashley and I joined this hunt for a day on the water and to take pictures of Daniel’s experience, so when we were asked to get in on the action, we knew something was happening.

Blackmon cast two more lines into the gator and gave one to Daniel B. and the last one to Ashley, then two hand lines to steady him. As the gator began to submerge itself deeper into the water and then under Blackmon’s boat, the group knew it was now a waiting game.

After 20 minutes, Blackmon decided to try and have the friends raise the gator slowly so Daniel G. could get a good shot off. He taught the group how to slowly raise it up and give slack when needed but to never let the pole straighten out. The gator put up a little resistance, but ultimately resurfaced beside the boat. As the group got control and steadied the boat, Daniel G. was able to fire three rounds from the Sig 10mm into the back of the gator’s skull. After three quick blasts, all was calm and quiet once again.

Laughter and celebration started from their first-ever alligator kill while their bodies calmed, and the adrenaline started to wear off. Now it was the end, which meant it was time to get the gator in the boat and off to the processor, or so they thought. As the group started to pull the gator up, it became clear the gator was too big and too heavy to hoist in the boat.

Off to Plan B, which was to tie the tail to the back of the boat, another line to the front of the boat, and have Ashley and I hold on to the T-hook that was in the gator’s jaw.

Once we made it back to the dock, the group tried again to hoist the gator in the boat, but its size and weight made it impossible. We knew we had a big one and couldn’t wait to get to the processor to see just how big. We brought the boat trailer down the ramp and had to use the wench to get him up on the trailer in order to ratchet strap him down and hit the road.

Once we got to the processor and checked him out, the gator measured 13-feet, 8-inches, was estimated to weigh 730 pounds and was born sometime during the 1950s. Quite the catch for some first-time alligator hunters!

He was processed at Spring Creek Processing and provided more than 200 pounds of meat that the friends plan on sharing with their friends and family. As for the alligator, he is being sent to Southern Rivers Taxidermy for a full alligator hide mount to commemorate the adventure.

The monster alligator turned out to be Georgia’s longest gator for the 2024 season and was No. 716 for Chris Blackmon. The group thanked him for the hunt and the fun along the way. All in all, the friends experienced a once-in-a-lifetime hunting adventure they will never forget and were glad they got to experience it together.