Cast nets

[10-Ring]

2 hours ago, tercel89 said:

hey what were you using to catch them ? 

Of all things a Crappie Magnet.  Started with a trout magnet on 2 lb line and had one on for about 5 minutes on my first cast.  Probably lost 2 dozen.  I've never seen anything like it, they were everywhere.  I don't know that I've ever caught one on rod and reel before.  Seems like they are very difficult to get a good hook on.  

[tercel89]

8 hours ago, 10-Ring said:

Of all things a Crappie Magnet.  Started with a trout magnet on 2 lb line and had one on for about 5 minutes on my first cast.  Probably lost 2 dozen.  I've never seen anything like it, they were everywhere.  I don't know that I've ever caught one on rod and reel before.  Seems like they are very difficult to get a good hook on.  

I use a small hook sometimes a size 6 or a tad bigger with a minnow or shiner and let it dangle from a float/bobber. just let the gar eat it and swim away with it and then after a minute or so he will chew and swallow it then you can hook him good. If you try to set the hook right when he hits it , the hook will fall out because of the hard mouth they have with those teeth. You got to let him swallow it enough to where the hook gets into his throat where the tissue is softer where the hook will set.  I also use a peice of nylon rope where I cut it around 7 inches. I then burn the end with a lighter and tie the line to the burnt end. I then take the rest of it and unwind the nylon and then use a hairbrush to spread out the fibers. When you see a gar on the surface like they do when they come up , you throw the rope in their area and then slowly reel it in towards you, they will bite it. Just let them bite it and apply a "tad" bit of resistance , they will shake their head and the shaking will tangle the rope into their teeth more and more , then reel him in . I'll attach a picture of the rope lure I made. It looks wierd but it works ! 

[10-Ring]

Made up some gar lures.  1/4 oz jig head, section of 3/16" nylon rope.  I'll give it a go this afternoon and see how it does. 

[tercel89]

44 minutes ago, 10-Ring said:

Made up some gar lures.  1/4 oz jig head, section of 3/16" nylon rope.  I'll give it a go this afternoon and see how it does. 

Looks great ! Your lure  is more elegant than my redneck version LOL . 

Edited May 18, 2021 by tercel89

[Randall53]

On 4/29/2021 at 10:38 PM, tercel89 said:

I tried eating gar last year and now it's the main fish I try to catch. The skin is hard as plastic and you need tin-snips to cut it open. After you get it open there are 2 long boneless loins on each side of the back. No need to gut it or skin it. The meat is odorless and firm like chicken. It's like alligator and I love it !!! This Gar was 3 feet long and both loins were around 15 inches long and nice and thick. 

 

Taste like alligator....hmm....maybe that’s another reason they are called alligator gar. Not just for the snout.