Not sure on your gar question...But I have fished Pomona several times in the past 2 years and have not seen any gar that I can remember. I doubt it would make much difference if they were on the surface.

However to your comment about catching one trolling from tree to tree I have found that productive of late. I wonder if it is because of all the water being pulled from the lakes??? Last week I was at Hillsdale. Could hardly get a fish to hit right on the tree, but I would mark many fish just out from the trees, so I started slow trolling in and out and caught most of my fish that way. Everything is about back down to normal and hopefully so will the fishing. Summer is my favorite time as I love to fish trees.