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Methods to Catch Alligator Gar

The armored, toothy, snouted alligator gar is often feared for its appearance and rumored aggression, but it is also highly sought after by freshwater fishermen as one of the largest fish available. Due to its size, ability to breathe above water for short periods of time, long snout and sharp teeth, the alligator gar can be very difficult to catch. However, there are several popular methods for catching this huge fish.

Catch and Release
- Alligator gar take years to reach maturity, have a long life and take a long time to reproduce. For these reasons, many anglers favor catch-and-release methods. The best catch-and-release method is rod-and-reel fishing. When done properly, this method will leave the fish relatively unharmed and ready to return to its habitat. Snaring the gar around its snout using a noose can also serve as an effective catch-and-release method.
Hooking the Alligator Gar
- Getting the hook to set is one of the biggest challenges of the rod-and-reel method. The gar may carry the bait in its snout for more than 100 yards, according to Jeremy Wade of Animal Planet's "River Monsters." Wade recommends drifting after the fish in your boat. "Stop about 20 yards away," he advises, "then tighten [the line] and hit." Since the fish is large, you may have to hit -- pull out the slack of the line and then tug on it firmly -- up to four times to fully set the hook. Steel leaders and treble hooks (hooks with three heads) are popular for their durability.
Other Methods
- Anglers who do not intend to release the fish sometimes choose to use bow fishing methods. This involves shooting the fish with a barbed arrow attached to a strong line. This method will kill or permanently maim the fish. In the past, some fishermen have also speared alligator gar, which is very similar except using a spear instead of a bow and arrow.
Don't Boat the Gar
- According to Animal Planet, alligator gar can live above water for up to two hours. Combined with the fish's size, that makes it a dangerous animal to bring into the boat alive. Many fishermen that catch and release choose to slip a rope around the middle of the fish to keep it boat-side once they've reeled it in. This allows them to photograph it for their records or so a taxidermist can construct a replica. If the fisherman does not plan to release the fish, he will often choose to beach the animal -- towing it to the shore and dragging it up onto land -- or in some cases he will kill it as humanely as possible before boating it.

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