Twelve-year-old Dax Moad is no ordinary angler. A fishing enthusiast with the patience of a seasoned pro, he spent his family vacation in Crystal Beach, Texas, wading into the surf with one goal: to catch something *big*. Armed with a heavy-duty rod and reel, fresh squid bait, and determination, Dax waded out to chest-high water, cast as far as he could, and settled in to wait.
Fishing is a game of patience, and Dax had plenty of it. While keeping an eye on his rod, he practiced throwing a cast net for bait—over and over until his throws were smooth and precise. Then, the rod tip twitched.
Dax grabbed the rod and felt a tug on the line. Whatever was on the other end was strong. He reeled with all his might, the surf splashing around him as the fight dragged on. Emerging from the waves was a creature that made even nearby seasoned fishermen gasp: a 4-foot alligator gar, its armor-like scales glinting in the sunlight.
“I’ve been fishing here for years, and I’ve never caught one of those,” a neighbor said, stunned. Alligator gar are not common in Gulf waters, making Dax’s catch a true once-in-a-lifetime moment. After a few quick photos to memorialize the victory, Dax did what any respectful angler would—he released the prehistoric-looking giant back into the water, watching it vanish into the waves.
For Dax, the thrill wasn’t just in the catch—it was in the skill, the surprise, and the story he’d carry home. And who knows? Maybe next time, the Gulf will surprise him with something even bigger.
