The GAR saga

[sfef84]

Update: ALLLLLmost had him yesterday. I wanted to be patient in setting the hook but waited a little too long. Also, I think I need a bigger hook.

Also, There are two schools of thought on how to catch a gator gar (besides shooting with bow, catching in net, etc.)

1) Use a hook (either circle or J) and try and set the hook while its in the mouth

2) Use a treble hook and wait for the gar to swallow and then yank the crap to set hook.

I dunno... will keep you guys updated.

[Robalo]

Kray59:

I've heard the same thing about frayed nylon rope.

I was crabbing years ago and pulled up about a 5' plus gar-he dint wanna let go of that chicken.

[Gater]

Catching the Gar

Update: ALLLLLmost had him yesterday. I wanted to be patient in setting the hook but waited a little too long. Also, I think I need a bigger hook.

Also, There are two schools of thought on how to catch a gator gar (besides shooting with bow, catching in net, etc.)

1) Use a hook (either circle or J) and try and set the hook while its in the mouth

2) Use a treble hook and wait for the gar to swallow and then yank the crap to set hook.

I dunno... will keep you guys updated.

Dump all the heavy stuff.....You don't want 200# test cable or solid wire leader. You don 't want to use a J hook and standard kingfish tackle works find. That Gar in the picture is not that big. A 6ft Gar is not going to weigh 200# but more in the 100-125# range.

Here's what you need, leader, 18-24 inches of 60# coated steel leader. Academy has it in the Berkley brand and I think it takes #4 crimps.
#2 VMC treble hook, do not use a J hook or circle hook. Crimp a 80-100# swivel to one end of the leader and the treble hook to the other. Put a 1/4oz to 1/2 oz egg sinker above the swivel and use a live mullet about 6-8 inches long. Hook the mullet in the tail and put the reel in free spool with the clicker on and grab some cold beer and wait. Once the gar takes it, most of the time they will play around, make short runs stop and go several times. Once they take off and run at a pretty good clip flip the reel in gear and set the hook. Also when the clicker goes off take the clicke r off and let it run freespool. They are very finicky and will drop the bait if they feel tension. Once you get the Gar to you gaff it in the bottom of the bottom jaw. If you are not going to keep it cut the leader as close to the mouth as you can. Remember ther is a size limit which I'm not sure but I think is 70 inches. That one in the picture should make that. Good luck!

Gater

[corndog]

heres a pic of a gar over 5' little Mrs. Corndog caught last weekend. 12 pound test with carolina rig 20 pound test leader with 4/O khaile hook. The Khaile hook is the ticket. bait finger mullet. Second one caught this year. good luck!!!!

[dbarham]

heres a pic of a gar over 5' little Mrs. Corndog caught last weekend. 12 pound test with carolina rig 20 pound test leader with 4/O khaile hook. The Khaile hook is the ticket. bait finger mullet. Second one caught this year. good luck!!!!

cousin Earl would have ate that booger pppparpppardna

[JT]

We use to try to catch them on the Sabine River out of Kilgore, Tx., and the very few we caught were on frayed nylon.

I dont know why anybody would want to eat one; and the only folks I knew that would eat them are same folks that would eat a carp. Id have to be real hungry and real hard up.

[Swells]

Hey thanks for the post, Gater, sounds like you've been in that rodeo a lot longer than I ever dreamed about. It is true that any gar is an extremely finicky eater.

[corndog]

I know they eat mullet!!!

[Gater]

Swells

Hey thanks for the post, Gater, sounds like you've been in that rodeo a lot longer than I ever dreamed about. It is true that any gar is an extremely finicky eater.

Hate to admit it but I have fished for them since I was a kid. Had plenty behind the house where we live so it was cheap entertainment. LOL

In my later years, myself and the two guys I sharked fished with won or placed in several local tournaments so yea been around them a long time.

Like any type of fishing there are alway's different methods that can be used but the one I mentioned above is what we have the best luck with.

Gater

[sfef84]

Hi Gater,

Thanks for the great advice. Ill give it a try and let ya know!

Extremely finicky for sure. Setting the hook is so hit or miss bc you have no idea when it has actually swallowed the bait.

They LOOOOVE mullet. Speaking of mullet, I had to toss the cast net for more bait after the first round. as I was looking around for a good place to throw, I saw a big ars mullet, like 16 in swimming on the top of the water that didnt get spooked so I thought id give it a shot. After pulling in the net I took a look at it and it looked like it was diseased... like Red/black brown and just all around looked like ShI)(*.. It was so gross I didn't even touch it. Any Idea what it could have been?

[sfef84]

Not that I would have kept it... seeing that in Oct Nov and Dec mullet over 12in can not be kept-TPWD...

[nokatchin]

We used to TRY and net them in the canals around Los Fresnos.Them things could eat right through our nets.Didnt make my grandfather real happy about his nets either lol