Alligator Gar Gear

Hello everyone, I'm looking to get a rod and reel to start fishing for gar but not sure what rod and reel I should get. Any suggestions? Tried looking online but not finding a lot of information on alligator gar.

I know many guys use Ugly Stik Tigers and Okuma Coronado CDX's. I've got the Coronados myself and use em for carp/buffalo and they work a charm.

Ok thanks I'll check that out. I currently have a pen pursuit 3 rod and reel combo, would you think that is ok? sorry for the questions I'm barely getting started with fishing. I've gone plenty of times with friends and family but have never got my own equipment until now and was gifted this combo

The rod is 7' xtra fast action and reel is 3000 130 yards for 30lb braided line

That will likely be too small for the big boys but should perform very well on smaller fish up to 20lbs or so. For the bigguns you'd need something heavy action like you'd use for big cats or even saltwater, although I'm not quite the gar expert so you may have to wait for someone more experienced with 'em. The small ones are still tons of fun though, always nice to see people interested in the "less desirable" species. The fish below is my PB caught on an Ultralight (!)

yeah I figured it would be too small. Nice catch btw

Thanks man, you can still try for the smaller guys like I said. I like to use a small shad, threadfins are perfect. Once it gets warmer they'll be ready to eat!

ink956 to the tff

+1, fish care is very important if you're releasing 'em. Let 'em go in as good or better condition than they came in!

I live in south Texas in the RGV so canals here in the area and delta lake which is pretty close. There’s not really a specific size I’m targeting just wanna go out and catch some but I guess the bigger the better. Also I’ve caught some with friends before so I have a bit of experience but I would still say I have a lot to learn.

We use penn 309 100lbs power pro I use fast flight 300lbs as leader about a foot long 9/0 hooks no real reason to get all huge with hooks. If I get snagged up I can straighten out hook and get weight back most of the time..

Wel sir I do both . Some I release in the grease right next to the taters. To each their own

What rod do you like with that reel?

I like the ugly stick tiger rods myself got a good back bone yet kinda softer tip ..they don’t feel like your fishing with a broomstick..

Only down side is it’s harder to throw bigger baits with them !!

Thanks for the insight garbow, I’ll definitely give that a look.

No worries man!! But you can’t get upset when you catch the gar bug!! It’s a hard bug to shake!! Hahhahaha good luck enjoy !! Big shad,cut carp,cut Buffalo and freshwater drum all make great gar bait.

Yeah here in my area a lot of people have luck with carp and tilapia just hard using cut bait cause of all the turtles

yes sir they can be a real pain !!!

Also one more question. How do you all set up your leaders? If you have pics that would be awesome

Orange being main line. Swivel will be a bigger size . White line is 300lbs fast flight bow fishing line to a 8/0 or 9/0 hook of your choice

So for the knot at the hook, it’s better to leave wiggle room?

I believe so. But honestly it’s all up to you

I like penn 8500 series live liner reels with 130# cortland masterbraid, doesnt matter what color line. 3' of 135# afw seven strand with a 3/0 bronze treble hook, I use eagle claw 774. For a rod I've been using pen rampage boat rods for about a year now and my buddy uses their jigging rods.