Alligator gar help
Aug 25, 2019 11:50:55 #
Today I was fishing a small inlet connected to the little manatee river I normally catch ladyfish mangrove snapper and the occasional small catfish I was fishing 10 lb mono with gulp shrimp on a jig head and felt a big tug I set the hook and started reeling and what looked to be a decent sized gator gar jumped out of the water long story short he got off and I know I was out gunned I am wondering what gear/ bait I would need to reel this guy in thanks
--
by williamhubbart
--
by williamhubbart
Aug 25, 2019 11:51:00 #
Aug 25, 2019 11:51:16 #
Don’t use a bow like the other guy said. Bow fishing is super wasteful and a super irresponsible method of angling. Especially with gator gar. It takes them years and years to grow, and they’re typically the apex predator within their territory, so killing him would throw that area a little out of wack. Also, if you’re in Florida, it’s mad illegal to fish for these boys
I’d obviously recommend heavier line and shrimp or cut bait. If you feel or see him take it, just let him have slack for a little while to make sure the hook gets down into some softer tissue before you set it.
--
by friendlywalrus
I’d obviously recommend heavier line and shrimp or cut bait. If you feel or see him take it, just let him have slack for a little while to make sure the hook gets down into some softer tissue before you set it.
--
by friendlywalrus
Aug 25, 2019 11:51:22 #
Ok what pound test/hook size or type do you recommend also I am not 100% sure it was a gator gar I am sure it is a gar of some sort
--
by williamhubbart
--
by williamhubbart
Aug 25, 2019 11:51:28 #
10 lb test should be fine, use a wire leader, and I have no idea what hook size tbh. I don’t know how big the fish is.
--
by friendlywalrus
--
by friendlywalrus
Aug 25, 2019 12:53:43 #
Dennisjj
Loc: Kinston N.C.
Try a 3/0 hook see how it works they have plenty of teeth to work with they can be tough to catch.
Aug 25, 2019 16:40:13 #
Wesley70
Loc: Pascagoula Mississippi
Take some nylon twine and unravel about4 to 6 inches and soak soak soak it in shrimp juice and crushed up shrimp overnight in refrigerator or outside whatever take it out tie on heavy fishing rig with a big cork the on top of the water and once they bite it on It the teeth get tangled and it can't get off and you can't hurt the fish
Aug 25, 2019 16:40:15 #
Wesley70
Loc: Pascagoula Mississippi
Take some nylon twine and unravel about4 to 6 inches and soak soak soak it in shrimp juice and crushed up shrimp overnight in refrigerator or outside whatever take it out tie on heavy fishing rig with a big cork the on top of the water and once they bite it on It the teeth get tangled and it can't get off and you can't hurt the fish
Aug 25, 2019 21:52:55 #
Aug 26, 2019 07:21:34 #
Raw Dawg Ron
Loc: St. Petersburg, FL
What Gars are protected? Seen many in past thought they were game but see protected now! Never wanted to eat one but knew folks that harvested them in the past decades ago! They inhabit local Anclote river right out to the gulf! Seen many large schools of them, good gill netters missed them!
Aug 26, 2019 11:51:05 #
Aug 26, 2019 20:08:20 #
Hotrod
Loc: Naples, FL 7 months, Bflo NY 5 months
I catch 2 foot alligator gar from time to time. I toss them back, but was told they are good eating.
Anyone ever try eating them.
Anyone ever try eating them.
Aug 26, 2019 20:15:32 #
Aug 27, 2019 02:10:29 #
Hotrod wrote:
I catch 2 foot alligator gar from time to time. I toss them back, but was told they are good eating.
Anyone ever try eating them.
Anyone ever try eating them.
When my husband was alive we caught them often on our trot line. The flesh is meat-like and very good. We had a cast iron skillet and took the backstrap (?) back to camp where I cooked it. Very hard ''hide'' to cut into - need a very sharp knife. My husband would take the remainder of the carcass to a little knoll where the vultures waited for their dinner to be served. They got to know our little boat.
Aug 27, 2019 15:55:00 #
fishrmans
Loc: Waushara Cnty Wisconsin and Port Charlotte Fl
We put a spike through the head into a piece of timber. Use a tin sheers to cut down their back and peel the skin back. Cut along the backbone and peel that nice piece of white meet out. Great eating. We use a tin sheers because their skin is almost like a metal plate. A knife just won’t do.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.