Ron and I have been talking with Mike Baird an Inland Fisheries Biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He is studying Alligator Gar and has been wanting to take a trip with us. Well today we finally got together and went. Ron had an appointment this morning so was a little late getting there, but caught up with us later this morning. Headed down river. I was paddling my NorthWind and Mike was in my Freedom.





We stopped along the way and caught some bait with cast cast net and then proceeded on to the area I wanted to fish. We got all set up and Mike whipped out his note book and started taking notes.





We had quite a few runs but they were being finicky and kept dropping the baits. About 10:00 Ron showed up and did the Indian sneak on us. neither Mike or myself even realized Ron was here until he was out of his boat.



We all had runs today but very few hook-ups.





I finally got lucky and got a solid hook-up about 11:30. I really thought she was going to spool me even though I had the drag as tight as it would go on a Tekota 500 with 80# PowerPro braid.

After a good fight and untangling her from logs we finally got her landed. My personal best (so far) estimated at 175-180 pounds. She was 78inches long and had a girth of 34 inches.







[img]http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq212/DarrellSyk/Brazos7301111017.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq212/DarrellSyk/Brazos7301111019.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq212/DarrellSyk/Brazos7301111018.jpg[/img]


Really slowed down after this fish. We hung around another hour without anymore runs and decided to head in. Ron cruising back.

[img]http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq212/DarrellSyk/Brazos73011013.jpg[/img]

Darrel is just telling half this story, that was one of the toughest fighting gar I have ever seen.
He had 300 yards on that reel and before he could turn her he was down to about 50 yards. she was smoking that reel on several runs.
Now that little snag he was talking about ,well here is the rest of the story, the fish made one last run and Darrel even with the drag set tight couldnt stop her. she ran under a log then over another one wrapped around a trout line.I wadded out and thought I could see her sulled up on the deep side.watching our hands to keep from getting cut with the braid we started trying to untangle everything,finally had to run the rod through tip first then around the trout line ,Darrel thought she was gone but when he reeled up she took off again ,he got her up and we used the snare and finally landed her . Darrel worked for this fish HARD.


This was chunky fish and congratulations to Darrel for his PB.
After we settled down I had one hookup for a couple minutes , the it spit the hook.
As always Darrel and I had a blast.
Ron

That's a solid fish there, built like a tank with teeth

Omg I am still so jealous from your last fishing report and pictures. Amazing fish you are able to catch there and still hoping I can catch be a beauty like the last few you nabbed. Great day and excellent results.

How awesome that would be. Great story and pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Congrats on the PB. Nice report. What river?

She's a beaut! Congrats!

B Rod
on the Brazos
Ron

We are getting our system down where can catch a 100+ pound fish on just about every trip. You may see "The River Rats Guide Service" one of these days.

I will so be one of the first to do this trip, that is a must have fish to catch for my personal photo album.

Have to ask how you guys take the hook out of that beast? pliers with 2 foot extensions on them? When they are that big do you have to worry about them quickly moving and taking a bite?

Usually don't get the hook back, just cut the leader. And yes they are fast even out of the water. Although they usually wont bite, they will shake their head and lay you wide open or slap you with that tail which can feel like getting hit with a baseball bat.

i use a bowfishing arrow. slide the knock down the line till it hits the hook push down and twist then pull the line and arrow out at the same time comes out every time.hope this helps

It takes an act of congress to get there mouth open on some fish. So we just cut the leader instead of stressing the fish forcing his mouth open.
Ron

sounds like its less stress on you than the fish.the arrow is only 1/4 inch thick. its not like your asking him to open up and say ahhh.