Alligator Gar

Weight: 150-300 pounds

Length: 7- 9.5 feet

Diet:  Fish

Though considered a “trash” or “rough” fish by many anglers, the size and power of the alligator gar provides an exciting fishing experience. The alligator gar is the largest member of the gar family, reaching up to 300 pounds.  Little is known about the biology of this fish. The fish are often found in slow water and deep pools. Running water appears necessary for spawning. Gar feed primarily on fish but will also occasionally take waterfowl. Angling for alligator gar requires skill and specialized equipment. Cut bait such as carp, buffalo and large perch on a treble hook is favored by some while hookless lures are favored by others. Hooks can be hard to set in the gar’s bony snout.  Hookless lures employ fibers to entangle the gar’s many sharp teeth. The simplest and most widely used hookless lure is a rope lure that consists of a 3 to 5 inch length of ¼” or ½”  frayed nylon rope glued to a jig head.  Though once numerous, their numbers are dwindling due to overfishing and loss of habitat.