most folks don't realize you don't want to open up a gar like a regular fish , most gar have poisonous eggs and entrails .
splitting them down the back is the correct way to clean one![]()
sum kawl me tha outlaw ketchn whales
wow, whoda thunk it
Retired golf addict
Twelve years ago 12/29/09, while camping & expecting visitors I encountered this denizen of the deep while l/l'g on Talquin.After babying it on 6 lb. mono for what seemed an eternity, I slipped a net under this 52" behemoth. Forever curious, I decided to let my brother/nephews and I try it. After extensive, sharpened filet knifepoint prodding, I found the one spot(2 scales sized) immediately behind anal fin for entry.
Underskin-bladelifting was the way I championed for our large filets to be cubed and deep-fried. We all extended our thumbs-up approval for this prehistoric-looking monster's firmer textured meat. I've had many Gar encounters in Florida over the nearly two decades chasing various fresh and saltwater fish species.
Harvested/eaten/shared probably 7 or 8 Gar with family/friends/neighbors by deep-frying or ground-up fish balls. All were surprised by my post-meal announcement that they just enjoyed Gar!
My current Gar-cleaning technique includes a sharp Cleaver/hatchet. Holding the Gar's tail with a canvas glove/towel in your non-dominant hand, I chop away @the tailside of the dorsal fin progressing towards the head. I then use heavy-duty kitchen scissors/tin-snips etc., to finish my just under- the-skin separation. The scales can best be described as armor!
I decided, after having many visual sightings, to try my luck @Bowhunting Gar. With disappointing skill-levels, I decided to invite a lady friend/competition-winning archer to help improve the odds-
As if that wasn't enough, one trip while saltwater-chasin'(fishin'), I feel the thump/set the hook and HELD ON!! First glimpse(10 mins. later), I thought OMG another MONSTER Gar! About 5 more mins. with both combatants wet-noodle exhausted, I slipped the net under a MONSTROUS GATOR TROUT!
Thanks for comin' along, hope you didn't knock over your beverage-of-choice!
u2s
Thanks for checkin' on me! CURIOSITY takes me there, SUCCESS ushers me back!![]()
Redge LIKED above post
I see you caught a bottle bass also. The king of crappie goes with the king of beer.![]()
Proud Member Team Geezer
"As no man is born an artist, so no man is born an Angler"
Izaak Walton
I usually toss in the towel once the wind picks up. Looks like you managed to do pretty good, I might need to rethink my tactics.
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