How to catch GAR ?

I been fishing the falls by the fossil bed lately an I been seeing lots of small and Large Gar all over but I Don’t know how to catch them . I’ve heard small hooks on cut bait ?

They will eat a small Rapala if you run it in front of them. They cut them off easily though so a light wire leader is a must. Hard to get a hook in them though. You can catch them with just a piece of white rope unraveled and pulled in front of them but it’s near impossible to release them as the rope becomes entangled in their teeth. They are fun to catch if you can put a hook in them.

[QUOTE=Kamrycraft;574697]I been fishing the falls by the fossil bed lately an I been seeing lots of small and Large Gar all over but I Don’t know how to catch them . I’ve heard small hooks on cut bait ?[/QUOTE]

Actually, the easiest way is to use a jig: take a 4-5" section of cotton rope and fray out about 2/3 of the fibers, then hook the intact section onto the jig (like it was a plastic grub). Cast it in the vicinity of the Gar and keep the jig/rope as close to the surface as possible. They'll think it's a minnow/shad and grab it, getting their teeth snarled in the rope.

If they do manage to get loose, you've had your pullage fun. But, if you do manage to land one, you're going to need some jaw spreaders & heavy gloves to get them teeth separated from the rope without injury (to yourself).

They will eat a white spinnerbait if you swim it right in front of them. Quite a bit of fun actually.

[QUOTE=Kamrycraft;574697]I been fishing the falls by the fossil bed lately an I been seeing lots of small and Large Gar all over but I Don’t know how to catch them . I’ve heard small hooks on cut bait ?[/QUOTE][url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB9gtG9X5JE[/url]

you should only use the rope technique if you plan to KEEP the fish. otherwise you're just giving the fish a slow death

I have caught them on in-line spiners before

[QUOTE=robertdilbert;575288]you should only use the rope technique if you plan to KEEP the fish. otherwise you're just giving the fish a slow death

I have caught them on in-line spiners before[/QUOTE]

Nah, as long as you get all the rope out, the fish will be fine. Get sloppy and leave some of the rope, and the fish will have a problem. I've caught and released dozens of gar on rope lures, and I can always get all the rope out.

[QUOTE=Rudypoo4444;575312]Nah, as long as you get all the rope out, the fish will be fine. Get sloppy and leave some of the rope, and the fish will have a problem. I've caught and released dozens of gar on rope lures, and I can always get all the rope out.[/QUOTE]

I caught one in the duck pond that was about 4 feet long and made the mistake of bringing it up in the boat ,,,,he thrashed about and snapped my forearm with his snout and gave me ab out 7 holes in my arm ...they weren't deep but it was no fun , luckily the guy that was with me had some rubbing alcohol and the wounds never got infected ... wont do that again ...shoulda let him have my #5 shadrap