Wondering what kind of hook to use for Gar... I was using a 4/0 circle hook with some.raw chicken on.a float. The cove behind my ol'ladys aunts house on EML is full of them. I would see them take the bait and just run. But never take the hook when it was set. This happened for an hour lol

I know 15lb w a 30# leader probly isnt going to.hold up but eeehhh

what kind of gar? J hooks or trebbles

Needle Nose i was using #4 trebbles but they just run w bait

In the dead of summer when the water is low I have seen people catch gar below Lavon dam.There seems to be a number of fish there every summer.Big ones.

trebble

your first post you said you were using circle hooks.try 4/0 worm hook with cut perch.i'v caught plenty with them! rope lure too

Gar1970--- I did use the 4/0 cut bait hook and switched to a #4 trebble.. both where being run w no hook ups.. sorry for the confusion

Gar1970--- I did use the 4/0 cut bait hook and switched to a #4 trebble.. both where being run w no hook ups.. sorry for the confusion...

Also what is tge rope lure?

4/0 WORM hook for fishing plastic worms for bass.not cut bait hooks.the rope lure is just that,a piece of nylon rope that has been frayed.work it like a swimbait and the gars teeth get tangled in it.bad thing is getting the gars teeth out of the rope afterwords

The biggest trick is to let them run with the bait for awhile. They grab and run then chew and swallow in most low or no current settings,faster water like rivers and behind the dam,they will pickup and chew right there.At Somerville behind the dam today,I caught 4 in an hour using tiny but strong #6 Bronze hooks and frozen shad with a couple split shots at a foot and 2'above the hook.If your water isn't too deep,I'd try the same type setup there.I was fishing for channel cats so didn't have but my 8-10lb test and still brought them to the shore.A heavy 30-50lb mono leader will work for a few fish but the lightweight steel leader is best.Whichever way you go,my opinion is to use the lightest weights possible,with a cork and steel leader,I wouldn't use extra weights at all.I also believe that the cheap bronze slight twisted barb Walmart hooks work just fine.Maybe #2-#4,And with gar,they will always be sharp because you'll be replacing them a lot.Hope this helps.

Thanks Catfish-Hunter!!!,

That os some helpfull tips

Like I said at first I started with
The circle hook and they would run till i stoped them because the would head to the weeds or to far out amd just stop. I switched over to the #4 trebbel hook and the same. Im running 30# spider wire and a 30# steele leader with a float and just a split shot below the float. They just never latched on just kept the float skimming along the water. Its in a shallow cove w no flow ..

Im gunna keep on keepn on till i get one lol

Thanks Catfish-Hunter!!!,

That os some helpfull tips

Like I said at first I started with
The circle hook and they would run till i stoped them because the would head to the weeds or to far out amd just stop. I switched over to the #4 trebbel hook and the same. Im running 30# spider wire and a 30# steele leader with a float and just a split shot below the float. They just never latched on just kept the float skimming along the water. Its in a shallow cove w no flow ..

Im gunna keep on keepn on till i get one lol

Gar1970-- cool thanks I gotch ya now. Lol

Tell you another story,also fishing behind Somerville dam we put a trotline out and 6-8 jugs during the daytime.The jugs caught 100% needle nose gar.Bad bad day for catfishing!They would also grab the jug and run to the sides to swallow the hook.Every fish had the hook in the stomach.Bad for releasing but they're tough.We just cut the line and retied hooks and kept going.By the time we gave up,the jugs lost half their drop length.
You'll catch them.If they are bigger than I'm thinking,a bigger hook maybe needed.Don't doubt the smaller hooks,just make sure you get the thick type.I don't know if your catch and releasing or eating but those cheap bronze rust away and fish's digestive system will attack them a lot quicker than a stainless hook.I like to use them when possible on any fish.Down side is they also break down and dull quickly when water touches them.Either in tackle box or actually used.If you still have bad luck hooking with the treble hook,look at the hook.There is a continuous loop with 2 hooks and one that is just brazed on,cut that hook off close to base.Then twist one hook a little to right and other left if you know what I mean.The gar maybe lazy or small and they aren't getting the bait in deep easily so running with it longer to chew it.
We used to do that with spoons for whites so we could unhooking them quicker and catch more out of the school.
If you really want to catch some,pretend your fishing for catfish,works for me. I catch them more than I want too.

There is dirty ways to catch them if you really get mad at them,just not too sporting.Think larger bait, treble,6" leader,treble, 1' leader,main line.Use a big cork or you'll hang up for sure.One hook in head and other in tail and let them run with it then jerk the other way.Redneck way to make gar balls.Have a strong rod and at least your 30lb test.Could be fun.I honestly haven't got that mad at them but theory is sound.Keep us posted on how you do.

And agan CATFISH-HUNTER, awesome advice again!!!!! Thanks!!!! the gar are no more then 5ft long them bein. In the cove i am actually standing above them on the retaining wall, So I can see them take tge bait and all...

I will keep yall posted too