Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Does any one like the gar?

I caught a 4-5 lb gar yesterday on a buzzbait. This is second time I have caught one on a buzzbait. What they lack in beauty is made up for by their muscles, iron skin, and bad attitude. I can't imagine what it would be like to angle an alligator gar.

Where were you fishing, and did you transplant the gar into Dwight's pond (without Dwight knowing about it, of course)?

I think gar are some of the coolest freshwater fish we have around here and love to catch them.

They get pretty big here. They actually guide for them just south of Dallas on the Trinity river of all places. I think they'll get up into the 100/150 lb. range. When I was young, we caught alot of them in the gravel pits around here. A pretty good fighter!

I think it would be cool to have one (just one) in Bremer Pond to watch grow, but I let this one go back into Spirit Lake, IA where it's home is. Cisco, what is your guide fee for a day on the Trinity?

We caught one this past weekend out of a pond, and the owner had no idea as to how it got in there. It was not that big and I threw it back.

I guess I should have kept it.

They are not that bad eating if they are smaller anyway, just a pain to clean.

I was fishing with a couple buddies the other weekend. My one friend is really into bowfishing right now and goes off down the shoreline where he spotted some carp. He comes back, stands in between me and my other buddy, draws back and shoots. A lot of splashing ensued and he pulled a medium size gar out of the water at the end of his arrow. He was as surprised as we were that he hit it.

As Dwight's pond is over 5 acres or so, you should just tell him that you released it in his pond. But tell him it was about 15 lbs.

It will make him feel real good.

I don't have a fee Stick, I don't fish for them but I think they charge about $50 or $100 bucks a day. They're kinda prehistoric looking ain't they? I'm talking alligator gar, were you?

The notochordal appendage on young of the year gar is pretty cool.

It's what makes the little buggers so cool to have as aquarium inhabitants...

Good idea, Sunil, a gar that size would give those big NP something to think about. Cisco, I mis-read your post. Yes, I was talking about the AG. Fishing the Trinity with a 50lb AG on one end of my line is on my bucket list.

A single gar would would give the 40 inch NP family a nice, but short lived diversion. These NP bite down hard on domain invaders.

I think a cage match is in order, mainly so n8ly can come up and take underwater footage.

Yes they are. I have two in my tank at home. Really cool to watch them feed.

Let me know anytime you want to head south Stick and I'll set something up.

I have a pellet trained alligator gar in my office aquarium. It is now 12 inches long and looking for a good home!

Where did you catch him?

I have heard that the best way to catch long nose or shortnose gar (not alligator gar) is with a piece of frayed nylon rope that is jigged. They think it is a fish and their teeth easily get tangled in the rope.

I've been thinking about trying this rig, but can't picture exactly how you rig the nylon string to the jig?

You can use a 4-6 inch piece of nylon rope where roughly 2 inches of it are not frayed. On the unfrayed end, you can either tie your line on tightly or use a small hook to attach the line. Others may have other techniques that they have used.

I'm going to have to tinker around with it sometime and give it a shot. I know where I can catch tons if it works.

When you catch some, be sure and take some over to Condello's and TJ's ponds. No, you don't need their permission.

Great idea!