Team Dukes, composed of Robin, picture above, and husband Ray of Jackson, and Joe and Alan of Brandon, set a new state record for sport hunting alligators Friday night, September 8, 2006, catching a monster measuring 11 feet, 8 inches and weighing a whopping 390 pounds at Ross Barnett Reservoir. However, this record was soon broken by the John Ratcliff team, see post of that picture.

This alligator was one of nine killed that Friday, the opening night of the first of two three-day seasons this month. Limited to 50 permit holders drawn from a pool of over 900 applicants.

"The four of us took turns holding the rod during the 45-minute fight, but I kind of lost my want-to when that gator tried to come in the boat," she said. "It actually tried to come over the (transom) and get at us."

Joe Dukes, who made three casts at the gator before hooking it with a 1 2/0 treble hook, laughed.

"It actually tried to jump in with us and he wound up breaking the rear running light pole in half," Joe Dukes said. "We were trying to noose it and I guess it wasn't very happy."

Ray Dukes said the happiest moment wasn't when the family managed to catch or even kill the beast with a 20-gauge shotgun.

"We were really happy when two boats of six conservation officers came by after we had pulled the dead gator over to a sandbar," he said. "It took those six and the four of us to get that gator into our boat. I don't know if we'd have ever gotten it in the boat if hadn't been for them."

Hunters participating: 45 out of possible 50.

Gators killed: 9.

Gators caught and released: 23.