Alligator Gar(Atractosteus spatula)

Quick Facts

  • Size Range: They can grow over 300 pounds.
  • Native Species?: Yes
  • Food Value: Very good and served in some high-end restaurants.

State Record

  • Louisiana State Record: 179lbs
  • State Record Date: 5/1/1997
  • State Record Holder Jimmy Thompson

The alligator gar is a prehistoric fish that resembles an alligator in the head and snout. They have a wider mouth than other gar and also have two rows of teeth lining their jaws. Really hard, diamond-shaped scales make the gar super-armored. The gar can live in waters with low oxygen levels, because they can gulp air and diffuse the oxygen through the tissues of their swim bladder.

They are found in many freshwater systems, with some weighing in at over 300 pounds.

They are caught on rod and reel using bait and occasionally lures, but more often these fish are hunted with bows and fishing arrows. Bow anglers sneak up on them while they are near the surface and pierce their armored scales with fishing arrows, which have a string attached to some type of reel.

Related Habitats:
Other Fin Fish Species: Mahogany Snapper Spotted Bass Warmouth Longear Sunfish Flathead Catfish Bonnethead Shark Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Banded Rudderfish
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Related Fishing Methods

Dead bait consists of many different types of bait that is no longer alive. Dead bait is still attractive to many fish as they are normally feeding by smell and dead bait is the ticket for smell. Fresh cut fish, dead shrimp, half crab, shucked clam, cut squid and all popular examples of bait that will catch a wide variety of fish. Many sport fish that are predators, will gladly take the opportunity to slurp up a fresh dead bait. A redfish is equally happy to chase down a baitfish or slurp up a dead shrimp on the bottom. Dead bait has the benefit is being easy to obtain, maintain and transport, as opposed to live bait which takes livewells, quality water control and can be harder to obtain.

Drift fishing can encompass a variety of fishing methods. Bottom fishing over structure is often done while drifting. Timing the drop of your baits as you pass by the structures below is the trick. Also knowing when you have drifted beyond the fish is a key element to being succesful. Anglers also drift while live bait fishing and chunking for bluewater pelagic fish like tuna. The use of live bait or chunks is a slower presentation where the fish are drawn to the boat by smell or vibration of live fish. Inshore you can drift along while casting for trout and redfish with baits or lures. One of the main benefits of drift fishing is that you can quietly cover ground while searching for feeding fish.

Live bait is a term given to many different types of fish, crustaceans, insects and worms that are popular food items for fish and used by fishermen for bait. There are many benefits to live bait as well as a few cons. The pros normally out weigh the negatives, and live bait is widely used. The biggest benefit for fishermen is that they are using the real thing and often puts a fish's guard down. Small fish, crabs, shrimp, clams, crickets and the good ole earthworm are all used to entice a fish to the hook. The only negatives to live bait is just that, keeping it alive. Sometimes catching it can be a challenge, as only some species can be bought as live bait. No matter how you get it, live bait is a great way to target many types of fish.