| The alligator gar, one of the largest North American | | | | stopping its run, the gar will swallow the bait and begin |
| fishes, occasionally reaches a length of over 8 feet | | | | to move again. This is the time to set the hook! The |
| and tops 300 pounds. It inhabits deep holes below sand | | | | battle is on and it may last for an hour. |
| bars in the channels of slow-moving streams or rivers. | | | | When the fish is tired and close to the boat; exercise |
| Fishing for it on a hot, murky day in a southern river is | | | | extreme caution. This monster boated alive can make |
| slow business. | | | | a wreck out of boat and angler. The jaws, studded |
| The Alligator Gar fights a rolling, jumping battle and can | | | | with nail-sharp teeth can mutilate an arm or leg. Since |
| slash any line in seconds with the sharp edges of its | | | | the meat is not good to eat and the roe is poisonous, |
| teeth and armor-plated scales. To take this fish most | | | | most anglers release this fish in the water by cutting |
| anglers use heavy tackle plus about 15 feet of | | | | the leader, being certain to keep their hands away |
| 50-pound test wire leader. Carp or drum serve as cut | | | | from the jaws. |
| bait. | | | | All gars have the same type of diamond shaped |
| Experienced anglers know to be patient when the | | | | scales. Gar scales are so hard that some Indian tribes |
| alligator gar chews on their bait and then grabs it, | | | | used them for arrow tips. A relative of the Alligator |
| stripping off as much as 50 yards of line. The fish | | | | Gar, the Longnose Gar is a cunning bait stealer in |
| usually has the bait in its bony mouth at this time and a | | | | northern waters, but with a great deal of patience, can |
| hook will only scrape out if one strikes now. After | | | | be caught. |