How to Catch a Gar Fish

A gar is a long and slender fish with a long bony mouth. Gar are considered by some to be a trash fish, meaning a less desirable catch, or a scavenger as they will eat just about anything either living or dead. Gar are found in many rivers and streams and are found living among bass, bream, perch, and many other species. Fishing for gar is not as difficult as many may think and gar are great fun to battle when hooked.

Instructions

1

Locate a creek, stream or river where there are gar. Talk with local fishermen to obtain information on where to find gar. The fish will often be visible swimming just under the surface of the water.

2

Rig the line by tying on a 1/0-2/0 size bait keeper hook using an clinch knot. To tie the knot, pass the line through the eye of the hook with 3 to 4 inches of line extending through to the other side. Wrap the short end of the line around the main line for 6 to 7 turns and feed the end of the line through the small loop formed above the eye of the hook. Moisten the knot and pull tight. It is not necessary to weight the line for fishing.

3

Place a minnow, small pan fish, or cut piece of fresh fish on the hook. Make sure the bait is securely attached to the hook.

4

Cast the bait to the gar. If the fish is motionless in the water, place the bait just slightly in front of the fish and allow the bait to slowly settle in the water. If the fish is swimming, throw the bait further in front of the fish.

5

Allow the gar to take the bait and wait a couple of minutes. Gar typically chew on the bait and then turn to swim and will chew some more. It is important that the gar swallow the bait before you set the hook. Once the hook is set, reel in the slack and play the fish to the bank or boat where it should be netted.