The 3 gar in the photo above were probably close to 50 years old. From the web: In 2011, a commercial fisherman accidentally caught the largest alligator gar on record in Mississippi's Lake Chotard. The gar was 8.5 feet long, weighed 327 pounds and was believed to be 94 years old.

They are a cool fish in their own way ... and as has been stated, a native here in Texas. No reason to declare war on them.

They’ve just about taken over Ray Roberts. Landed two of the suckers Saturday.

God created them, they have a purpose in the eco system.
Surely, by now we've learned that mass killing of any species can have negative effects on the entire system.

True trash fish?
Hardheads.

What we really need to destroy are those stupid crappie. Fish fights like a wet paper bag. Old mans fish. And frankly a real trash fish. "Thump" my arse.

Who wants to take me crappie fishing? I will help murder these punks and eat their bodies like a savage. That will learn them.

just like cormorants,their numbers in certain areas need to be severely reduced....

Agree, but good management practices and TPWD are not necessarily synonymous.

Over population of gar can decimate a fishery. They are the top predator with nothing out there to keep them in check. I’d never say eradicate, but a serious reduction in numbers is highly needed in a few of our fisheries.

If any of you are ever in the Marksville, La. area on a Friday eve, you can get all you can eat of their gar balls, rice and gravy at Paragon Casino.

Frigg'n Wondermous!

Different kinds of gars, those big ones are alligator gar. The little ones are typically called needle nosed Gar. Alligator have the limit of 1 per day, except for Falcon. Needle nose are open season on, no limit.

No native fish is a “junk fish” if they’re native to our waterways they serve a purpose in the ecosystem. Alligator gar nearly went extinct due to this attitude. I’m a firm believer that unless you have a use for a fish like using it for bait or eating it, you should return it to the water, no reason to kill fish for no reason.

In the summer they roam in packs and can be seen surfacing.
When bass fishing is slow we used to catch needle nose gar on a rope lure.

Take the soft nylon rope, not the stiff nylon, and cut 20-24" off. Tie a loop in the middle so you can tie it to the fishing line. Start at each end and unbraid the nylon up to the knot.
What you will have is a gar lure. Thread a 1/2oz worm weight and then tie the line onto the loop.
Cast it out in the midst of the gar. Let is sink 5 seconds then start reeling in slowly. When you feel a tick, freespool the reel for 5 seconds. That will give the gar enough time to get their teeth tangled in the nylon.

Then just reel them in. No setting since there is no hook.

Long Nose Gar and Spotted Gar are the most common in North Texas.

Everything by its right name.