Greetings to everyone from River Run Guide Service.
I had a chance to hit a private access stretch on the Brazos for a little solo recon work in preparation for some upcoming guide trips.
This particular stretch has always been good to me and this year has been no exception. One of the things that has always fascinated me about this particular area is the fact that it is a year around haven to some of the biggest Longnose Gar I have ever laid eyes on.
Needless to say, I was sure to make a effort to set aside some time and target them on this trip. After all, they are always willing to bite and are a real thrill to catch out of a kayak.
After loading up on freshly netted native baits, I rig up a couple of my heavier conventional outfits consisting of heavily modified Abu-Garcia 6500's mounted on 7' glass rods.
One thing I've noticed about Longnose is that they are terminal tackle and leader shy. I have had the most luck with leaderless 20# monofilament and super sharp circle hooks.
Shortly after beginning my drift, I start getting hits and a few missed hookups. Withing 30 minutes I finally connect solidly with a fish that immediately begins dumping line from the reel under heavy drag. At one point, the fish comes up once and thrashes around on top and I can see it's definately a 50 inch plus class Longnose. After a few more minutes goes by in our classic give and take battle. I fianlly get the gar close enough to my kayak to consider making a grab with a gloved hand around it's toothy snout. However, upon seeing my kayak, the gar had other ideas and in one explosive burst of prehistoric piscatoral fury, makes a final lunge for freedom that sends water flying in all directions resulting in a clean break off.
Understandedly, it was a frustrating loss of a huge Longnose that easily would have been a new Personal Best for me.
However, I'm very determined when it comes to these kind of things, so I grab my other outfit and rebait for another drift.
A few drifts later, I get a smoking run that indicates my huge section of cut bait has been intercepted by what I'm hoping is another big Longnose. I feverently wind down hard in an attempt to drive home the circle hook into the gar's bony maw.
I now feel major resistance on the other end of my line as line starts being ripped from the spool as I'm pulled around the run in my kayak.
Suddenly, I get a glimpse of my opponent as it goes airborne by greyhounding accross the surface of the water making every attempt to dislodge the hook. I can hardly believe my good fortune, as it appears I'm getting another shot at a trophy Longnose that appears to be even larger than the one I just lost.
At this point, I'm muttering prayers under my breath and hoping the terminal gear holds up for the remainder of the fracas. I shudder with every head shake and powerful, surging run this fish makes. I know the odds are not in my favor, but heck, I'm having fun!
After about 10 minutes or so, I finally get a feeling the gar has worn itself down enough to be brought along side the kayak for a grab with my "gar glove".
Catching a gar this big from a kayak is pretty much unheard of. According to TP&W Record keeping, at 58" in overall length, this is the largest documented Longnose Gar catch ever (by rod & reel or bowfishing) from the Brazos River. My catch would have easily taken the Brazos Water Body Record, had I chose to bring it in for certified weight processing. However, I felt it was my responsibility release it healthy back into the Brazos, instead.
After all...
That is just how I roll.
Enjoy the CPR pics!
Say bye bye!
Trophy Longnose, anyone???
Until next time...
(214)418-9786 or shanedaviesguide@gmail.com
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