Dec. 17th after big rains. A guy next to me caught a gar. This is by bridge of the Ashley River. Guess enough fresh water on top of the salt water. Next few cast he caught the only trout for the day.
Water was really fast and cloudy with silt.
Not sure what bridge you’re referring to but they are thick in the Ashely in the summer near 526. They are hard to hook and smell nasty but they fight like a poor mans sailfish
17’ Mako
lots of salt water gar around the Chs area.
quote:
Originally posted by sea toniclots of salt water gar around the Chs area.
Lots!
They do go crazy once they know they are hooked lol
Fishing Nerd
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
You can catch them without a hook. A short piece of frayed rope with a red stripe painted around it can hook them. Those teeth get caught in the rope.
Carolina Skiff 17
50 Yamaha
Got a dozen of them last year in Schulz Lake which is part of Ashley far up river.
I’ve caught several gar in the Wando (and its 100% saltwater) Before that I never knew there were saltwater gars so the first one I caught was a surprise for me too.
2015 18ft Tidewater w/ 115 4-stroke Yammy
Don’t ever eat gar roe as it is poisonous.
oc
Gar breath air and can handle a lot of water conditions. They also stack up and feed under lights, I watched a school of about 10 under a dock sitting still in ripping current and mullets were getting washed by and they would strike them so fast you would see them move and have the mullet in there mouth but you could never see them grab it. They would sit there and snap there head without moving out there spot. All were 3-4ft and this is in the stono river a few miles from the inlet.
Gar are thick behind dolphin cove marina which is just a stone’s throw from the harbor.
quote:
Originally posted by oyster crackerDon’t ever eat gar roe as it is poisonous.
oc
yes but gar balls are delicious, alot of work though
I saw one gigging one night that scared the bejesus out of me. They get quite large…
quote:
Originally posted by TheOrangeCrushYou can catch them without a hook. A short piece of frayed rope with a red stripe painted around it can hook them. Those teeth get caught in the rope.
Carolina Skiff 17
50 Yamaha
How is that release?
The only ugly stick I ever broke was on a gar hookset. It was a 2 piece and the female ferrule was a little beat up. Still caught it and several others that day up Nowell creek. It was pretty obvious they were around because there were big fish gulping air all over the place.
First, Most, Biggest
Trying to add a picture. Heck of a time resizing but will work on in future. Thanks for the post. I am 53 and learned something new:smiley:
Colorado
TBD
Year’s ago I read in Field and Stream magazine the meat along the back bone and rib cage is delicious. Scrape it out and cook. They claim it taste like Lobster. LOL !!!
You can pull the rope loose with some needle nose pliers.It can be done easily without harming the gar.
quote:
Originally posted by 7csquote:
Originally posted by TheOrangeCrushYou can catch them without a hook. A short piece of frayed rope with a red stripe painted around it can hook them. Those teeth get caught in the rope.
Carolina Skiff 17
50 Yamaha
How is that release?
Carolina Skiff 17
50 Yamaha
quote:
Originally posted by corkmanYear’s ago I read in Field and Stream magazine the meat along the back bone and rib cage is delicious. Scrape it out and cook. They claim it taste like Lobster. LOL !!!
gar balls(which are made from that back meat) are called poor man lobster bites.
quote:
Originally posted by TheMechanicquote:
Originally posted by corkmanYear’s ago I read in Field and Stream magazine the meat along the back bone and rib cage is delicious. Scrape it out and cook. They claim it taste like Lobster. LOL !!!
gar balls(which are made from that back meat) are called poor man lobster bites.
One of the few fish I have not eaten. I’ve heard the same thing. Maybe I’ll give it a try. I’ve caught more from them getting tangled in the line than an actual strike on the bait.
“If Bruce Jenner can keep his wiener and be called a woman, I can keep my firearms and be considered disarmed.”
you definitely want to try it on a large one. they are a PITA to clean. that armor is some serious stuff. the best way is to get a good strong pair of sissors and cut the armor down the back bone on the top, then filet the skin off the meat. and use gloves, that armor will cut you. ive also used tin snips to cut the armor