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Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Hutchy] #7730903
11/30/22 03:17 PM
11/30/22 03:17 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,299
Louisiana
Aix sponsa Offline
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Louisiana
It’s important to dry freeze alligator gar meat. Vacuum seal, freezer paper, or multiple wraps with cling wrap. No water.. If you need to rinse the meat, do so then immediately pat it dry.


I’ve always been told that alligator gar fish gets “cottony” if it’s wet, and I believe it. It is not sold on ice without being wrapped in some sort of barrier like plastic.


I have not tried choupique (bowfin, grinnel) yet, but I would think it’s meat would be delicious and need to be handled the same way—-no water.

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Hutchy] #7730912
11/30/22 03:26 PM
11/30/22 03:26 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7,978
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
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Hutchy Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Aix sponsa
[quote=KeithC]

I cut it into manageable size and freeze the rest. I’d cut this one in half and trim off red/dark meat.

I cut off slabs of meat like the size of half of a biscuit or chicken strips. I season both sides well, wash it in egg, roll it in seasoned flour, and then fry it in oil. Comes out great. It’s a beautiful, delicious meat. It is nothing at all like typical, flaky freshwater fish. It has a firm texture and a bright color like a tender chicken breast and a flavor somewhat similar to chicken breast or tender alligator. Probably my favorite fried freshwater fish.


I also cook it in a gravy like a courtbouillon or etouffee type dish.


Gar patties are also good. Scrape the flesh off of the membrane layers and season well. Mix 50/50 or 60/40 with seasoned, chopped potatoes or hash browns and green onions. Egg wash, seasoned flour, fry. These are the ways I cook them. I know some people also grill them.



Well now i want to try it.

Those fish are really old eh,? As in, do they grow fast or slow?

Old slow growing fish have potential for bioaccumulation of toxins. 10000 small fish with 1ppm of toxin adds up.


I wonder if thats a potential problem with gar?

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Hutchy] #7730913
11/30/22 03:28 PM
11/30/22 03:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,299
Louisiana
Aix sponsa Offline
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The people I know that fish them commercially and catch lots of them use dead 10-12” catfish with clipped fins or mullet for bait. STRONG hooks and a wire leader. They rig them so that the hook is at the tip of the Bait’s mouth, usually by threading a wire leader through part of the bait near the tail. The commercial fishermen run jugs for them, but many people use rod and reel.


If I told you how many large alligator garfish are in Louisiana coastal marshes, you probably wouldn’t believe me. They will pile up at feeding locations like behind water structures or culverts and stay there rolling and feeding. At times it looks like you’re watching someone feed fish in a pond. I reckon the records come from places people aren’t commercially fishing them, but there are plenty of giants caught on the coast. It’s not that uncommon to see a boat with 5, 10, 15 garfish that are all 5-6 feet long.

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: ] #7730914
11/30/22 03:28 PM
11/30/22 03:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 14
Kentucky
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Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Leftlane] #7730918
11/30/22 03:36 PM
11/30/22 03:36 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,383
Iowa
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Iowa
Originally Posted by Leftlane
The Trynity River goes through Dallas / Ft Worth and then runs southeast. It is known for having the biggest gar anywhere and there are several outfitters who specialize in puttying you onto the "large lads"


This was going to be my answer as well. I've seen a lot about it on various fishing shows.

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Aix sponsa] #7730921
11/30/22 03:41 PM
11/30/22 03:41 PM
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Posts: 15,702
Champaign County, Ohio.
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KeithC Offline
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Originally Posted by Aix sponsa

I cut it into manageable size and freeze the rest. I’d cut this one in half and trim off red/dark meat.

I cut off slabs of meat like the size of half of a biscuit or chicken strips. I season both sides well, wash it in egg, roll it in seasoned flour, and then fry it in oil. Comes out great. It’s a beautiful, delicious meat. It is nothing at all like typical, flaky freshwater fish. It has a firm texture and a bright color like a tender chicken breast and a flavor somewhat similar to chicken breast or tender alligator. Probably my favorite fried freshwater fish.


I also cook it in a gravy like a courtbouillon or etouffee type dish.


Gar patties are also good. Scrape the flesh off of the membrane layers and season well. Mix 50/50 or 60/40 with seasoned, chopped potatoes or hash browns and green onions. Egg wash, seasoned flour, fry. These are the ways I cook them. I know some people also grill them.


Thanks. They sound really good to eat.

Keith

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Hutchy] #7730932
11/30/22 03:57 PM
11/30/22 03:57 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,299
Louisiana
Aix sponsa Offline
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[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


This was a 17 lb roast. Notice the red/dark that will be trimmed.

Alligator gar Slabs of meat. Look at how pretty that meat is.


Alligator gar seasoned and fried without breading.


Alligator gar seasoned, egg washed, rolled in seasoned flour and fried. Notice the bright white flesh.



Mmmm

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Hutchy] #7730938
11/30/22 04:05 PM
11/30/22 04:05 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 437
texas,usa
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sammy petty Offline
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Talk to sheepdog 1 on traoperman. He lives in Livingston, Tx. There are some really big gar in the trinity river below lake Livingston dam.


sammy petty
Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Hutchy] #7730944
11/30/22 04:10 PM
11/30/22 04:10 PM
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,870
Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania
The Trinity River in Texas is said to have some of the largest Alligator gar in the country


Till that day.....
Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Hutchy] #7730978
11/30/22 04:59 PM
11/30/22 04:59 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 359
South Mississippi
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9wire Offline
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South Mississippi
There is a guy that collects arrowheads named Steve (can’t remember his last name) that is a guide for monster gar on the Trinity River. He can be found on the forum Arrowheads.com under the name garguy.

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: 9wire] #7730980
11/30/22 05:01 PM
11/30/22 05:01 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7,978
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
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Originally Posted by 9wire
There is a guy that collects arrowheads named Steve (can’t remember his last name) that is a guide for monster gar on the Trinity River. He can be found on the forum Arrowheads.com under the name garguy.



Hes not on Tman eh?

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Hutchy] #7730982
11/30/22 05:07 PM
11/30/22 05:07 PM
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10,940
SW Georgia
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We’ve eaten gar before. It’s not bad and would do for survival, but I’m not going to catch some just for a fish fry, lol.
Gonna sound crazy but we would use a huge swivel and then tie on nylon rope and fray it out. Better have plenty made up cause after a catch you’re really not wanting to take the time to get it out of their teeth, lol. Tried hooking them, but the old adage of work smarter not harder came into play.

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Hutchy] #7731000
11/30/22 05:47 PM
11/30/22 05:47 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 359
South Mississippi
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Originally Posted by Hutchy
Originally Posted by 9wire
There is a guy that collects arrowheads named Steve (can’t remember his last name) that is a guide for monster gar on the Trinity River. He can be found on the forum Arrowheads.com under the name garguy.



Hes not on Tman eh?


Originally Posted by Hutchy
Originally Posted by 9wire
There is a guy that collects arrowheads named Steve (can’t remember his last name) that is a guide for monster gar on the Trinity River. He can be found on the forum Arrowheads.com under the name garguy.



Hes not on Tman eh?



No

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: ] #7731005
11/30/22 05:56 PM
11/30/22 05:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,012
MD
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Originally Posted by J Staton
I think they use to sight fish for them using frayed rope. No hook.



That's how folks fished for regular gar here 40 years ago.
Piece of clothesline with last few inches of vinyl peeled off and frayed up.
Spinner in front.
Teeth tangled

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Wanna Be] #7731008
11/30/22 06:00 PM
11/30/22 06:00 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,299
Louisiana
Aix sponsa Offline
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The reason they rig baits they way that I described is because they’re not hooking them in the mouth—-the garfish is scaling/swallowing the bait and bait. They’re doing it to keep them. The wire leader prevents fraying.

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Hutchy] #7731026
11/30/22 06:37 PM
11/30/22 06:37 PM
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Livingston, Texas
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I have shot tons of them on the Trinity as I live within ten miles of it. From just below the lock and dam in Crockett to the Trinity bay you can catch em from 10-200 pounds some a little heavier are possible. You can no longer keep the Alligator Gar in the Trinity from Lake Livingston to below Liberty. They are a fighting rascal. My largest was 195 pounds and she should have weighed over 200. She was 7'11" long. I have no idea anymore how many over 120 pounds my best friend and I took bowfishing. I only bowfished for them so I dont know much about rod and reel other than be ready for a fight.

The Brazos also has some giant gator gar. Like Aix Sponsa said. If you could see them in the current when they are spawning and you have good current, It is amazing to see.

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Aix sponsa] #7731034
11/30/22 06:55 PM
11/30/22 06:55 PM
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james bay frontierOnt.
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Originally Posted by Aix sponsa
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


This was a 17 lb roast. Notice the red/dark that will be trimmed.

Alligator gar Slabs of meat. Look at how pretty that meat is.


Alligator gar seasoned and fried without breading.


Alligator gar seasoned, egg washed, rolled in seasoned flour and fried. Notice the bright white flesh.



Mmmm

Looks a lot like sturgeon.
Smoked sturgeon is fantastic food.

Have you tried that gar smoked?
Is gar a cartilaginous (no bones)fish like sturgeon?


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Sheepdog1] #7731045
11/30/22 07:07 PM
11/30/22 07:07 PM
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Posts: 7,978
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
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Hutchy Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Sheepdog1
I have shot tons of them on the Trinity as I live within ten miles of it. From just below the lock and dam in Crockett to the Trinity bay you can catch em from 10-200 pounds some a little heavier are possible. You can no longer keep the Alligator Gar in the Trinity from Lake Livingston to below Liberty. They are a fighting rascal. My largest was 195 pounds and she should have weighed over 200. She was 7'11" long. I have no idea anymore how many over 120 pounds my best friend and I took bowfishing. I only bowfished for them so I dont know much about rod and reel other than be ready for a fight.

The Brazos also has some giant gator gar. Like Aix Sponsa said. If you could see them in the current when they are spawning and you have good current, It is amazing to see.



I imagine if you know where they are and can find them, that's half the battle of rod and reel.

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Hutchy] #7731050
11/30/22 07:20 PM
11/30/22 07:20 PM
Joined: Sep 2015
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Livingston, Texas
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this time of the year the big adults head south to Trinity Bay. Come late April we start seeing them above the 146 bridge in Liberty. The deep holes in June - August is where the truly big ones hang out. as the sun rises in the hot summer, you can see those big ones about 18 inches to 30 inches deep,

for whatever reason, they dont do much at night in this river. only shot one over 100 pounds after dark. and I have spent a many a day and night shooting and skinning these jokers.

Re: Where to catch big alligator gar? [Re: Hutchy] #7731052
11/30/22 07:23 PM
11/30/22 07:23 PM
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Posts: 45,528
james bay frontierOnt.
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Hutchy and Sheepdog should trade fishing trips.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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