How to catch alligator gar: rods, reels, & tips

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Alligator gar, the legendary freshwater predator. In this fishing video, I dive into the techniques and strategies required to successfully catch these fearsome creatures. Throughout the video, I share 14 valuable tips that cover everything from selecting the ideal fishing time to choosing the right bait and tackle. Witness heart-pounding moments as I battle these prehistoric giants, showcasing their strength and cunning. The video also includes essential advice on handling and releasing the gar safely, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between anglers and these magnificent beasts of the water.
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#gar #garfishing #alligatorgar

[@Dat_Van]

Amazing and super informative video. Everything stated in this video is true. If you’re looking for a video on how to catch gar this one is the one!!!

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Thanks for the support!

[@intropeforthefirstime9780]

Hey man this is prolly the best alligator gar tutorial out there it shows what rigs and hooks to use it shows how to unhook the fish gear and everything but i do think you should have talked about where to find these fish (back eddies deep holes ect) because while ive done tons of research on gar i still struggle to find good fishing spots for them. my comfort spot i always go to just got bought and is private property. And im really struggling to find another place. Awesome video man KEEP IT UP!

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Thanks for the kind words! Tell your friends about it! 😂 You’re right, I did miss that part. Look for them in eddies and calm water. They normally do like to go below 20’ of water so if there’s a deep hole, fish the more shallow area.

[@intropeforthefirstime9780]

👍👍👍

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

@@intropeforthefirstime9780 go get em!!!

[@intropeforthefirstime9780]

Once i get back i will

[@JoeValencia-ut6bj]

I agree with almost everything you said except the 100-150lb braided line. I use 40-50lb braided line and have caught 7 footers with no problems!

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

I’ve also landed big gar on 30lb line as well. But I’ve snapped more lines on the hook set with it as well. The heavier line consistently works better than lighter lines and will hold up better when they take you into snags.

[@anthonypadilla4136]

Me and my best bud just said we want to get into gar fishing and this video is 10/10🙏🏽

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Hope it helps you catch a big one!

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

I don’t catch and cook gar. They’re super tough to get into and their mercury and other heavy metal type stuff content is way higher since they’re on the top of the food chain

[@Catfish.Knudsen]

Huh. I didn't know that the higher on the food chain the fish is, the more mercury they have. Makes sense tho. I eat a lot of catfish so maybe I should be careful lol. Crappie would maybe be a better option to eat more often

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

@Catfish.Knudsen bigger the fish, the higher the levels. It’s only dangerous if consumed on a regular basis. Canned tuna is like #5 or 6 in highest levels of Mercury. I read that 80% of America has higher than normal levels, so it’s just in our food supply/ eating habits

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

State law in Texas is also 1 gar a day and it needs to be 48” or less. So smaller gar, smaller mercury levels

[@Catfish.Knudsen]

@@BitesandStrikesFishing damn!

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

@@BitesandStrikesFishing that’s true

[@anthonybranecky4685]

I like to use an extra heavy musky rod, can cast very large baits and a weight. Helps with hook setting also

[@TexasASF]

I always use live blue gill with a giant bobber. I learned not to set the hook right away. Let them run w the bait and as soon as the stop give them time to eat the bait then set hook

[@jerryjantes4043]

Thanks for the vid been wanting to catch a gar, but I have trouble catching gar bait

[@Mark-rg1qh]

Great info! I live in Tennessee, and I can attest we have Gar up here.

[@Dead.Traveler]

I've been catching alot of males on my river lately. Got my setups for some big females which should arrive this week being in the mid 80's all week. I'm aiming for catching a good one on Thursday this week.

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Go get em! Good luck, like you said the weather should be good.

[@johndesalvo3348]

Knew they were in brackish waters here in northeast Florida but ever suspected they would live in shallo salt-wAter creeks canals grass and mangrove flats and marshes as well. Alligator Gars have tasty t hick white meat too.

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

They can survive in most waters and they taste really good

[@gangsta19x]

Great info. Much appreciated bud

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

No problem 👍

[@sadrcity50]

Im currently on NAS Corpus Christi.. i watch feeding frenzies of 4 to 6ft gar everyday. I have never heard of such a thing. I had no clue giant gar roam Corpus Christi Bay.. I am not BS ing. I am a great fisherman. 3 igfa all tackle world records. Yeah there are feeding frenzies of large gars in brackish water on Naval Air Station corpus christi

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

That’s got to be a wild site! They do travel in brackish waters.

[@GmtZ71]

Is this the area passing A&M on the right? Oso bay....?

[@terryhancock]

Yes I do

[@tcox8729]

Im thinking about taking my kastking kong 7'6 heavy action rod and riging my penn 309 and line it with ~250 yards 100lb braid. Your thoughts on that.

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

I think you’ll be catching gar in no time! What is the rod line/lure rated at? It should say near the handle. The 309 and 100# braid will get the job done. I’d go a little heavier on the line if you can but don’t go below 100#

[@tcox8729]

@@BitesandStrikesFishing the rod is rated for 30-60lbs line with a 1-12 Oz casting weight. I might go a little bit heavier for line but don't wanna completely sacrifice line capacity.

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

@@tcox8729 sounds like a sturdy rod and that you have a good setup for gar! Go get em! Email me a picture when you do, [e-mail]

[@wyattyoung1218]

They in hollybeach too ig cuz it ain’t too salty not sure but have hooked many

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

They can be found in saltwater, it’s not as common but happens fairly frequently

[@KillerBeeOutdoors]

Enjoyed the video sir! Thanks

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Thank you for watching!

[@Kylestewart32]

What size and type of hook do you like to use most for catch and release?

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Honestly the hook size doesn’t matter as much. I’ve used small size 2 up to 13/0. For best catch and release you need to set the hook early so they don’t swallow it.

[@Kylestewart32]

@@BitesandStrikesFishing good to know I’ve recently been watching all your gar videos because I’m wanting to start fishing them this summer I plan on getting a 7’6” medium madkatz rod and a penn fierce 4 8k liveliner. I was gonna put 100lb power pro and have made a list of things I plan to get for my leaders including AFW Surfstrand 250lb wire and wire crimps. dr.fish 298lb barrel swivels. And I think I’m gonna try Gamakatsu 8/0 octopus hooks. How does that look to get started? Any other recommendations?

[@AnthonyJohnson-vm5ld]

What is a good rod for a spinfisher 10500 im trying to catch sharks

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

To be honest I wouldn’t know what a good shark rod would be. I’d imagine that if your surf fishing you’d want a 12-15’ for the distance and something very stout.

[@israel7351]

For shark fishing I would use a jawbone rod blank. But there made for casting reels so I would use a Avet 50-130 wide

[@guyfrom8659]

@5:40 what type of reel is that ? Looks like it had the bait runner feature. I have an okuma baitrunner reel that i love but the reel isnt built for the long haul . Without spending a ton on a shimano thunnis reel . Does penn make any with a baitrunner feature ?

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

I use Penn reels. They have 2 spinning reels with live liners, aka bait runners. The Fierce and the Spinfisher. Both are great reel. I have a few in depth videos on them. kzbin.info/aero/PLMsnn-mzmBDSLfyhrJT9biX6fY62rveks&si=ijavKdWHuFaGL3kD

[@Blasianpower2]

Thanks I’m new to Texas from cali never seen this fish until today was wondering are u able to take out the hook by hand and can you use a pretty big hook ?

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

By hand is not recommended. The top jaw has 2 rows of razor sharp teeth. The smaller ones thrash around a lot. For hooks I typically stay below 10/0

[@Maxk_gti]

Is that Penn fierce a size 6000 or 8000? I would think 8000 would be best since it would fit the most line.

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

You are correct, I use the 8000 for the line capacity

[@ErickLopez-hd5pp]

@@BitesandStrikesFishingis the 5000 big enough ?????

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

It’s strong enough, but you won’t get a lot of line on it.

[@Hook-Line-Sinker]

Where can I get hook pliers like those?

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Harbor freight has a set of long pliers that come in as a pair for about $12

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

I’ve never actually had a gar swallow a hook. I set it fairly early though

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

setting early is teh only way to make sure they don't swallow it.

[@DroppingDimes.]

I use tadpoles for bait but I only fish for the smaller spieces of gar

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

For smaller ones rattle trap lures will workntoo

[@DroppingDimes.]

Thanks

[@terryhancock]

I would like to catch one

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Go get em!

[@keithpayne4469]

What are the tools you use to get the hooks out in this video

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

I use a set of 18” pliers from harbor freight. The set of 2 is around $15

[@user-ki6ic3zg8y]

Love your videos but I’m trying the small 1/0 hook but I’ve caught with many different hooks but at the end of the day it’s having fun. It’s always a 50/50 with gar. I fish nueces river hopefully one day I’ll catch a beast.

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

I haven’t hit that river yet, but I’d like to one day. The 1/0 hook does work. Think I caught 2 with it in this video alone.

[@user-ki6ic3zg8y]

@@BitesandStrikesFishing they say on the 1/0 you don’t have to let him run that much like 30 seconds . And I fish nueces river alot of gar in that river system.

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

@@user-ki6ic3zg8y that’s right. Best practice for catch and release is to set the hook very early, like the first 60 seconds. It helps if you can set while they are running full speed as well

[@user-ki6ic3zg8y]

@@BitesandStrikesFishing yes sir I’m trying to get away from gut hooking fish. To have the best practice and your right on the hook set always best set when he is running fast away.

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

@@user-ki6ic3zg8y well good luck out there! Send me a picture when you get 1!

[@intropeforthefirstime9780]

I didnt know trinity water got that beautiful. Im used to the muddy water in the trinity wat part of the trinity is this

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

The Trinity from the Livingston down to the bay is fairly clear. A few feet of visibility if there hasn’t been any rain

[@intropeforthefirstime9780]

Wow thats a ways away from dallas

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

@@intropeforthefirstime9780 yes it is. From Dallas to Livingston is fairly muddy looking from what I’ve seen

[@intropeforthefirstime9780]

Awesome

[@seaturtle5757]

You choose not to use a float?

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Occasionally I will if the current is slow and there’s a lot of snags that I need to keep the line off. Most gar anglers use the float to see where the fish is not for suspending the bait. I don’t really see the need since I set the hook early. For me the fish takes off and I set normally in 30 seconds, so I don’t need an indicator float.

[@Martinez1982jm]

My grandma is in her 90's and told me they would put chum in a pantyhose and the gars teeth would get caught in it. No hook required

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

I’ve heard of others using frayed rope as well. I’ve caught a few small ones with spinner baits that got tangled in their teeth.

[@Chrissworldfishin]

This is Texas right not FL

[@BitesandStrikesFishing]

Texas for the win!

[@anzonyvids]

Tired of catfish stealing my gar bait 😂