Tips on Fishing for an Alligator Gar

Rod

Anglers targeting alligator gar need to use a short, sturdy rod such as offshore ocean setups that can handle fish over 100 pounds. Choose a rod with roller guides, which take stress off the line and make reeling in a large fish easier. Offshore rods with an extended fiberglass or aluminum butt give an angler extra leverage for pulling the fish off the bottom. For smaller alligator gar, anglers can use a heavy-weight spinning rod and reel.

Line

A heavy-duty monofilament line rated for at least the weight of the targeted fish is critical to landing an alligator gar. The sheer weight of these large fish puts enormous stress on the fishing line during the fight. Angers should utilize a wire leader to prevent the gar's teeth from cutting through the line.

Hooks

Alligator gar anglers have a few options for hooking one of these large fish. The nylon rope method uses a frayed length of nylon rope to tangle in the fish's teeth. Treble hooks are an ideal hook to use with live or cut bait. Snare setups use a circle of wire baited on the bottom that tightens when pressure is applied from pulling the line.

Bait

Choosing a bait to entice a gar into biting often entails using natural baitfish from their surroundings. A hand throw net is an ideal way to catch local baitfish that can be stored in a bait bucket or live well. These fish are placed live onto a treble hook or snare setup.

Where to Catch

Alligator gar are native to the backwaters and slow pools in lakes and streams of the southern United States. Throw your bait setup in the deep area of a pool or backwater and let it sink to the bottom. Catching alligator gar is a waiting game as the angler allows the bait to sit there until a gar finds it. Anglers using a treble hook setup need to allow the gar to ingest the hook before setting it.