Alligator Gar & Other Gar Species
    "All About" North American Gar Species Found In Texas & Other USA States


 
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Jug Line
This device is the most commonly used fishing device for taking Alligator Gar in Texas. It is set out free floating on a lake or river just before dark and allowed to drift fish for gar all night, being retrieved the following morning.


Catch & Release - Before you go on your next fishing trip please read this:
Catch, Release...and Kill?
Research shows that when and how we fight fish greatly influences their survival.
by Brian McCombie

Millions of American anglers practice catch-and-release, but a new study suggests that an alarming number of the released fish will die despite the anglers' best efforts.
In 2002 Ken Ostrand, a fish biologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, studied largemouth bass mortalities at two tournaments at Crab Orchard Lake near Carbondale, Illinois. With heavy tackle, quick fights, and careful fish handling, most tournaments practice catch-and-release to near perfection. However, Ostrand's research uncovers some disturbing information.

In cooler waters during a spring competition, 60 bass were landed and none had died up to a week later. But with air temperatures in the 90s in late July, fish, even during short fights, produced excessive lactic acid when their oxygen levels became depleted. The acid acted as a toxin, killing 30 percent of the 180 bass Ostrand examined.

In experiments to determine a solution to the high mortality, Ostrand found that bass swimming in a tank against a gentle current "exercised" out the lactic acid and seemed to recover a lot better than other fish. He is now determining if such an apparatus can be combined with a live-well system.

Bruce Shupp, conservation director for BASS, agrees that water temperature is a huge factor in fish survival. "The critical time is when the water temperature is over 75 degrees," Shupp says. Warmer water holds less oxygen, so the stress of a longer fight can easily wear out fish, making them die soon after release.

That's why Joe McGurrin, a fisheries biologist and director of resources for Trout Unlimited, recommends using gear heavy enough to guarantee a "legitimate fight time" of only a few minutes. McGurrin says he has kept trout that he had fully intended to release, because "many times, especially in warm water, they just won't revive" after an extended fight.

Of course, more conventional factors shouldn't be overlooked when trying to lower catch-and-release mortality. Just using the wrong hook can kill fish.

In 1984, data published by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife found that baitfishing with barbed hooks killed up to 30 percent of fish released. Anglers studied let fish swallow baits deep into throats or stomachs, then set their hooks. But soft tissues in both areas were easily torn and fish frequently bled to death within hours of being set free. So barbless artificial lures and flies, with mortality rates under 10 percent, were considered most suitable for catch-and-release.

Research in California's Sierra Nevadas in 2000, however, found that baitfishing caused low mortality—with the right hook. In the study, 900 hatchery-raised rainbow trout were caught on a variety of baited, barbless hooks, then observed for six days. Overall mortality was only 2 percent. The stars were the Shelton Release self-releasing hooks and Circle-C hooks, which usually impaled trout in the mouth with minimum to no bleeding.

Last, don't overhandle your catch, advises Shupp. Fish have a protective slime coating on their skin, which oils on your hands can damage, leaving fish open to infections. If possible, unhook the fish while it's in the water.


Article Resource: OutdoorLife Magazine


Cleaning Gar for the Table

THIS IS THE WAY THAT WORKS BEST FOR ME...Elpescador.........I can hull out a 200# in 8 minutes flat. I have a 2"X12" with 1"X4" sides nailed to it. The surface of the board is protected by old conveyer belting obtained from a cotton gin. There is a strong nylon cord on the right end of the board that comes up the board about 3 feet. On the end of this cord is a 10/0 hook with the barb removed and the end slightly blunted. I place this hook in the anal orifice of the fish. This holds the fish from sliding down the board. Then I use a campers ax to open the back. Starting @ the back of the fin I chop with the ax held flat all the way to the head. Then I insert a sharp thin bladed knife under the scale @ the 3rd scale behind the head and cut between the scales all the way to the center of the bottom of the fish. When done on both sides from the top to the bottom there will be an intersection of the cuts forming a "V" under the gullet of the fish. Then I go to the tail and starting where the back is laid bare of scales I do the same thing {under the scales} to the bottom. The head and tail can now be chopped off with the camp ax and discarded {Texas law requires that these "waste"products be returned to the waters from which the fish was taken}. This leaves the skin in tact around the meat. With a very sharp knife, begin cutting where the meat joins the skin. Continue all the way down both sides all the way around the fish. When the skin has been seperated from the meat everywhere except where the two fins are joined, Chop them lose from the inside with the camp ax and seperate the skin completely from the meat. Remove the entrials and discard. "VIOLA" now you have a great large piece of meat. I have seen just the belly meat weigh out @ over 20# on a large fish. SUCH A WASTE TO ONLY TAKE THE "LOINS" OF THIS FISH. Hope this has been helpful or at least intersting to some of you,



Recipes: Gar & Other Fish

1} My Favorite Gar Meat Recipe:

 

My preferred recipe for Alligator Gar is:

1 Whole fresh skinned & gutted alligator gar [log]

enough sliced lemon to space evenly over entire gar @ about 2" intervals

salt & pepper to season entire fish to taste

1/2 lb of margarine or butter {slightly melted} per 1 foot of gar log length

1 roll heavy duty aluminum foil {for wrapping the entire fish log}

large grill w / charcoal and starter

enough hungry people to consume the feast

 

Lay gar log on enough aluminum foil to completely wrap fish when finished preparation. Cut lemon slices 1/4" thick and place evenly every 2" on the entire fish top. Place some of the lemon slices in the cavity also. Sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste {you may substitute (TM) Bay Seasoning or another prepared spice mixture such as (TM) Tony's Cajun Seasoning, instead of the regular salt & pepper if you wish. Pour slightly melted margarine or butter over entire fish. Wrap tightly in foil and place on grill with low heat, {the bigger the fish is the longer it needs to cook}until done on one side. Turn and cook the other side until done. Check it often!! Overdone fish falls all apart! Goes well with grilled corn and grilled red potatoes. MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmm MMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmm Good Eatin' !!

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2} Cajun Fish- Works Well on Gar, Buffalo, Tilapia, Catfish, & other fish species

MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.02

Title: Creole Fish

Categories: Creole, Fish, Seafood, Crowds

Yield: 32 servings

3/4 c Vegetable oil

1 c Celery,thinly sliced

1 ea Garlic clove,minced

1 ea Bay leaf,finely crushed

1 t Black pepper

3 T Salt

3 ds Tabasco sauce

1/2 c Water,cold

32 ea Fish fillets,lg,breaded

1/3 c Lemon juice

1 c Onion,chopped

1 c Green bell pepper,thin slice

1 qt Tomato puree

1 t Thyme

3 T Sugar

1 T Worcestershire sauce

1/2 c Cornstarch

16 lb Fish fillets

64 ea Fish fillets,sm,breaded

2/3 c Butter

1. Heat oil in large Dutch oven; lightly saute onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic until soft (do not brown).

2. Add tomatoes, tomato puree, bay leaf, thyme, pepper, sugar, salt, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco.

3. Stir well; bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer at least 1 hour.

4. Correct seasoning.

5. Blend cornstarch into water; stir briskly into sauce and cook until translucent and thick.

6. Prepare fish as desired: Steam or poach fillets; or bake (in sauce of lemon juice and melted butter) in preheated 375'F. oven 20 to 30 minutes; or deep-fry breaded fillets. Serve with warm sauce, allowing 1/3 to 1/2 cup per serving.

NOTE: Unbreaded fish fillets may be baked directly in sauce, too.

Thaw fish if frozen; pat dry and place in well-oiled shallow baking dishes. Cover with sauce; bake in preheated 375'F. 25 to 30 minutes, or until fish flakes easily.

MMMMM

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3} My Favorite Alligator Gar Recipe by Dianne {bayoudianne}

Subject: Gar Recipe

My favorite alligator gar recipe is:

Cut the backstrap into 1 1/2-2" slices, dip in yellow mustard and

then in Zatarans Lemon Seasoned Fish Fry and pan fry.

Don't overcook~!!! They are great this way. Dianne~






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