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.
NIMROD thanked you for this post