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Re: Where to catch big alligator gar?
[Re: Hutchy]
#7731061
11/30/22 07:35 PM
11/30/22 07:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,621
Livingston, Texas
Sheepdog1
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,621
Livingston, Texas
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I watched three old black men wear them out on nothing but red and yellow yarn type rope, no hooks at all. that was about 1982 in May and the river was up pretty high. It was hot as hec too, i do remember that part. my bud and I shot the state record needlenose that day. He ended up breaking that record of 39 pounds with one that he has life size mounted, I think it weighed 92 pounds and was certified as a needlenose, its not a true needlenose gar. Its a hybrid of some sort. none the less he still holds that record as far as I know. back then, 88 pound braid is all we could find to spool the Zebco 808 and 888. got broke off many times. now with that new stuff that is 200 and 400 pound line, you probably wont lose many if you just let the darn thing wear down.
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Re: Where to catch big alligator gar?
[Re: Hutchy]
#7731109
11/30/22 08:30 PM
11/30/22 08:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,655
Central Texas
Chancey
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,655
Central Texas
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Choke Canyon produces some big ones as well.
Resident Conspiracy Theorist
Accused Moron, Nazi, Low IQ, and Putin Fan Boy
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Re: Where to catch big alligator gar?
[Re: Hutchy]
#7731114
11/30/22 08:36 PM
11/30/22 08:36 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 504
Nebraska
Mocular
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 504
Nebraska
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When I was in Pascagoula at the Northrop Grumman shipyard the big gar would circle under the waterline security lights at night. Some of those fish were enormous. The water was brackish so you would see freshwater and saltwater fish in the same area. Biggest I saw was probably 10’ long and big around as a bushel basket.
2023-24 Beaver I, Mink I
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Re: Where to catch big alligator gar?
[Re: Hutchy]
#7731139
11/30/22 08:50 PM
11/30/22 08:50 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,621
Livingston, Texas
Sheepdog1
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,621
Livingston, Texas
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I have never bow fished Choke Canyon but have some good friends that bass fish it a good bit. They see them in the spring and early summer, hec, thats when they are there. I knew some guys that we shot a lot of tournaments withyears back. they primarily bow fished the Brazos and they shot some really nice gator gar. I havent heard from them in many years.
Hutchy, I cant bowfish anymore due to all these darn spine surgeries. I sure know some folks that know the same info that I know and they are darn good folks. The Gar Guy I know of but I have never been around him. seen his videos.. If I was still after these big gar you would be more than welcome to come on down when the time is right. I certainly hope you can hook up with a good guide and catch several over 150 pounds. Hec, if you want to know about certain guides, most of these cats are darn good at catching gar and know where to find them. especially the ones that are on the fishing shows. Just be very sure that if you want to keep the meat or get one mounted, dont come to Lake Livingston or the Trinity River from the Lake Livingston Dam down to the 146/Hwy 90 river bridge. The state will not allow you to keep them in this zone. they have made it a real pain in the butt,
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Re: Where to catch big alligator gar?
[Re: Sheepdog1]
#7731171
11/30/22 09:03 PM
11/30/22 09:03 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7,978
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
Hutchy
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7,978
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
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I have never bow fished Choke Canyon but have some good friends that bass fish it a good bit. They see them in the spring and early summer, hec, thats when they are there. I knew some guys that we shot a lot of tournaments withyears back. they primarily bow fished the Brazos and they shot some really nice gator gar. I havent heard from them in many years.
Hutchy, I cant bowfish anymore due to all these darn spine surgeries. I sure know some folks that know the same info that I know and they are darn good folks. The Gar Guy I know of but I have never been around him. seen his videos.. If I was still after these big gar you would be more than welcome to come on down when the time is right. I certainly hope you can hook up with a good guide and catch several over 150 pounds. Hec, if you want to know about certain guides, most of these cats are darn good at catching gar and know where to find them. especially the ones that are on the fishing shows. Just be very sure that if you want to keep the meat or get one mounted, dont come to Lake Livingston or the Trinity River from the Lake Livingston Dam down to the 146/Hwy 90 river bridge. The state will not allow you to keep them in this zone. they have made it a real pain in the butt, Thanks for the info! Sorry about the back.. I hear summer is prime time, but I only have time off in winter. Are they still catchable in the winter?
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Re: Where to catch big alligator gar?
[Re: Hutchy]
#7731781
12/01/22 03:14 PM
12/01/22 03:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,368
Texas
jtg
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,368
Texas
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Downtown Houston in the flood control channels and https://buffalobayou.org/ It's an overlooked area.
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Re: Where to catch big alligator gar?
[Re: Aix sponsa]
#7731807
12/01/22 03:42 PM
12/01/22 03:42 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,512
james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,512
james bay frontierOnt.
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Boco I have not had smoked gar yet. I would think it’s delicious though. Smoked meats are a big part of the way we eat here.
You mentioned the meat looking like sturgeon. I believe it. I would think that most of those ancient freshwater species would be similar—-alligator gar, sturgeon, choupique, and paddlefish. I would treat them all the same...
Out of curiosity, how is sturgeon frozen? Is it frozen with or without water? I like sturgeon deep fried also-so I have frozen it right after cleaning and cutting up into big chunks. It freezes well like any other fish.We smoke sturgeon outside over a fire on racks made of willow and close off the sides with old plywood or brush etc.We smoke with the skin on and whole(split down the back) right when they are caught fresh.If it is a big one we slice each side in half lengthwise so the sides are no more than a couple inches thick on each side. When I freeze fillets or meal sized chunks of sturgeon,I lay it on a baking sheet in the freezer.When it is frozen,I take it out and dip in cold water(or spray water from a spray bottle) and back in the freezer on the sheet.I repeat this about 4 or 5 times until each fillet is coated with about an eighth inch of ice,then I bag them.They keep good with no freezerburn,and you can take out as many or as few as you need for a meal.
Last edited by Boco; 12/01/22 03:44 PM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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