Alligator Gar

[Trinity man]

CROCKETT, Texas -- The sadly misunderstood alligator gar, reviled for its frighteningly huge and prehistoric appearance and rows of razor-sharp teeth, has been hunted for centuries.

Fishermen despise the gar because they believe the fish devour prized bass and crappie. Swimmers and boaters fear the gar's alligator-shaped jaws could take a chunk out of them in the water.


John Paul Morris, the son of Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris, sizes up the jaws of the 8-foot-3-inch long alligator gar he caught on a bow fishing trip.
..But in recent times, alligator gar have experienced a kind of trash-to-trophy renaissance as sportsmen discovered the thrill of hunting the beasts, which can weigh up to 300 pounds and reach 8 feet in length. Gar hunting, with rod-and-reel as well as crossbow, has spawned a booming market for guides who charge as much as $750 a day to lead their clients deep into the muddy backwaters of Texas where the monster fish thrive.

In the rural South, the prospect of bagging a trophy gator gar inspires a special brand of enthusiasm. "I don't consider myself a redneck, but sometimes I do redneck stuff," says Mark Malfa, a gar guide in central Texas.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124631318638370373.html

Well I guess I can have a hold new business taking people Gar hunting. :shock: We have about 3 miles of river frontage on the Trinity River in the area they are talking about. I kept seeing the air boat running up and down the river the past few weeks and never knew this is what they are doing. I have killed these thing up to 10 feet long when I use to fish alot, because they kept attacking my bait. And old river bed up river from us is full of these things.

 

[burnt]

That's a pretty interesting way to fish!!

 

[Trinity man]

That's a pretty interesting way to fish!!

They come up to the top of the water to roll thats when you get your shot. Every time the river comes out its fun to walk out into the water to get them. You just have to make sure something else dosen't get you when you are out there. Like a real Alligator and not the gar type. :wink: They will be swiming all out in the pastures that are flooded.

 

[kph]

I miight have to come visit sometime, I love to bowfish and Alligator Gar are the ultimate trophy!!