Total Pageviews

Sunday, November 22, 2020

The Gar...Friend or Foe?

 

Here in Alabama the Spotted Gar or any gar for that matter is considered by most to be a trash fish. Nothing could be farther from the truth. All native species of fish found in our waterways have value and are beneficial to the eco system.


 

While a large gar may occasionally prey on a gamefish such as a bass or trout, it has been proven that their main diet consists of warmouth, bluegill, and other members of the sunfish family. Their prey is known to breed in large numbers and the gar does a good job in helping to keep those numbers in check.

 

All species of gar here in Alabama can be caught on rod n reel and are a challenge to land when hooked. My favorite method for gar fishing is light spinning tackle, a small shallow float, and live minnows. I like to cast upstream and let my bait drift down in the current. A small treble hook and a light wire leader will help from losing these acrobats when hooked.


 

The Spotted Gar and the Longnose Gar both thrive in clean, clear running water. Humans are the gars biggest enemy. We are continually destroying habitat with sedimentation from building and polluting the water in other ways. So, this spring and summer if you see gars floating lazily down the river, don’t be alarmed. This means your favorite fishing hole is pretty clean and the food chain is still intact.

It would be an honor if you hit the Follow button for my blog. If you would like to check out my You Tube channel simply click on the link below. Tight lines my friends.

https://youtu.be/ERv0do-UP1U 

No comments:

Post a Comment