6 1/2 or 7 feet actually. It looked like a log until it took off like a bat out of hell. I sucked in a mouthful of water and nearly died when I saw it. I wasn't really expecting to see a fish that big in this river. Those fish are scary as hell. Did some research and heard of one reaching 13 feet and over 300 lbs. I honestly had no idea these fish could get that large. But most fish in this river are native. In the canals by my house is another story. There is a wild population of Jack Dempsey and Mayan cichlids down the street. They don't make good tank mates though... pure evil.
