HOW TO CATCH ALLIGATOR GAR: EVERYTHING you need to know about leaders, reels, and hooks

This is how to catch alligator gar fishing 101 video intended to teach you everything you need to know to get started fishing for alligator gar. I go through all the topics on alligator gar fishing from rods and reels, to leaders and line, to bait and methods.
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---CAMERA GEAR---
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--RODS AND RIGS---
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KASTKING SHARKY:amzn.to/3EMrUIL
TIGER STICK ROD: amzn.to/3EKgTHX
-TERMINAL TACKLE-
POWER PRO BRAID: amzn.to/38p6fdO
CIRCLE HOOKS 1: amzn.to/38lqmt1
OCTOPUS HOOKS 2: amzn.to/3rKCE51
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---GEAR---
NET: amzn.to/3vafffy
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
INTRO 0:00
RODS 1:12
REELS 2:22
LINE 3:50
LEADERS 5:10
LEADER USE 6:18
BAIT 7:36
METHOD 9:03
THE RUN 10:10
LANDING 12:42
WHERE AND WHEN 13:36
RECAP 14:32

[@naynayfilayy1595]

the cast net was honestly the best tip for the new fisherman

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

It is hard to fish without bait! Nets are intimidating to a lot of people but worth learning

[@javierquintanilla1568]

Awesome video and well explained. Thank you.

[@jantu6835]

Thanks bro gonna try and catch some south tx gar

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Go get em!!

[@DanielGonzalez-pd4op]

great video bro , lots of good info thank you.

[@Tylerbourne1997]

Thanks a lot for all the information, I've been a freshwater fisherman for the last couple years strictly but i just got a new rod and reel setup (Penn 309 and a Penn Mariner Rod) that i got from a friend for a great price! Im getting stronger line put on for Gar and i live in South Texas close to the Brazos River and I ALWAYS see people fishing down there and im excited to go have some beers and wait for some fish! thanks again! very informative!

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Your more than welcome. Gar are most active in the heat of the summer. Happy hunting

[@Tylerbourne1997]

Can you recommend what lb test i should use? I'm gonna be going to the store tomorrow!

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

@@Tylerbourne1997 I recommend 100-150lb.

[@LMB_Nation]

Good info, thanks!

[@alpetkiewicz6805]

Thats greatly appreciated! 👍❤️

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Thanks, good luck out there!

[@PescayCheve]

Thanks a lot for the info! 👍

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Your welcome, hope it helps

[@fresa7335]

Great video! Thank you

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Your welcome, good luck!

[@travisstrickland7270]

Man you explained alot. Nice video 👍🏽

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

When I started gar fishing I was searching for a video that explained it all and I couldn’t. So I made one to help others out.

[@jashawnjackson]

Great info thanks

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Thanks. Good luck out there

[@raymondferguson4802]

Nice just found your channel! Thanks

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Make sure to subscribe! I try and put out weekly content

[@rachelabercrombie2589]

Thanks!

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Thank you!

[@bradwhitfill4008]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to make it. Is it better to catch live mullet and cut it up or hook them live?

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Either way will work. If you use live bait you’ll want to use a weight to make sure it doesn’t around too much

[@bradwhitfill4008]

@@BitesandStrikesFishing Thanks so much! I have found a spot that has a ton of them, but have yet to catch one. I keep after it though. Do you ever use a float to suspend the bait, or always put the bait on the bottom?

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

@@bradwhitfill4008 I hardly ever suspend the bait. Normally I just put the bait on the hook, no weight or float. Just bait on a hook, it’s one of the best methods. Most videos where you see gar anglers using a float it’s not suspending the bait, we use it to spot the line so we know where the fish is running. It’s just a spotting tool

[@Gstar5150]

I just use the Ugly stick medium Combo from Bass Pro it makes it pretty fun, I have yet to try eating one I've caught some but wasn't really in the mood to fillet one

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Ugly sticks are some very durable and underrated rods!

[@Gstar5150]

@@BitesandStrikesFishing yeah their just not as sensitive but I love em for targeting bigger fish.

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

@@Gstar5150 for big fish you don’t need sensitive you need strength 😉

[@unlikelypodcasts4565]

About a year ago me and my brother was cat fishing, one of my rods lines went dead instantly thought it was a cat, well once we got it in after about 2 hrs (we both was 20 and maybe 120 ish pounds) so we switched, finally got him in, turned out to be a 6 ft gar he was a skinny one but ever since.... I'm on the search for bigger 😂

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Go get em! They get up to 8’.

[@palma1009]

What brand of braided line do you use ?

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

I use PowerPro and SpiderWire mainly

[@george5697]

Subscribed 👍👍

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Thanks for the support! Should be catching some more gar here shortly

[@george5697]

@@BitesandStrikesFishing Nice 👍

[@george5697]

@@BitesandStrikesFishing i just purchased a penn VI 9500 max cap for braid at 435 yards 80lb, could you name an exact rod i could match this reel with? What would Bites and Strikes buy??

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

@@george5697 you need a sturdy rod. Something that is a 7’ medium heavy or heavy power. It should be able to handle at least 6oz weights/lure. That info is normally on the shaft somewhere. I personally love the Tiger Sticks. They are ugly… but basically indestructible and $80. I see a lot of other Gar and Saltwater KZbinrs use them as well. Best bang for the $$$ hands down. But if you want to want to spend more the Mad Kats, Hellcats and Whisker Seekers would be the way to go. amzn.to/3y6rDxX

[@george5697]

​@@BitesandStrikesFishing will that rod in the link be strong enough for 80 lb?

[@azgamer7681]

Does fly/centerpin reels work for these gators?

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

I’m not familiar with fly rods some I’m not sure. If your targeting larger gar you’ll want to make sure the reel can withstand a lot of pressure from the fish.

[@zackisfatokie2338]

Do gars like the sun or the shade

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Gars are typically moving. They are more active in summertime in the really hot months. I lot of people will tell you that they are more active at night as well.

[@Thesqueezebox1]

Does store bought tilapia work, or do I need fresh cought

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

I’ve never tried store bought. If you are going to try it I would search for a whole fish, not just filets. The oil in the fish is an attractant

[@Thesqueezebox1]

LoL, I meant store bought whole talapia....my local Walmart carries whole tilapia fish but it's been gutted and scaled

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

It might work, I think since they are cleaned and gutted they would be less efficient. But if you try it let me know

[@Thesqueezebox1]

Sounds good, I sure will

[@jacobalvarado6156]

What size hook is ideal?

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Gar hooks are wildly debatable. Everyone has their own preferences. Lots of people use size 8/0-12/0 j-hooks If you plan to eat the gar a size 4 treble hook that you let them swallow. And most recently very small size 1-2 live bait hooks for the safest catch and release method.

[@jacobalvarado6156]

@@BitesandStrikesFishing ok thank you

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

@@jacobalvarado6156 good luck

[@eliwilson2330]

Why suck a big piece of bait I use just enough bait to cover the hook

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

I have found the bigger the bait the bigger the fish.

[@sadrcity50]

I am chasing giant gar here in corpus christi Bay .. yes in brackish water. Your tackle tips, sucks, you haven't the experience yet. I love your video. But your drag and bait techniques were wrong.

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Sorry you feel that. I have a full playlist of gar fishing videos using my techniques. So they do work. Proof is in the videos. Sounds like you have your own methods that work. Care to share? I also don’t target gar in the bays, so it would make sense that different techniques would work in different waters.

[@gigapus5050]

Good line good pole and hold on steel liter's always