How to Catch an Alligator Gar on a Fly Rod

For those avid sports fishermen, catching an alligator gar on a fly rod is a real challenge. To accomplish this task, you will need to put your lightweight fly rod away and prepare yourself for a fight that will thrill even the most experienced anglers.

Alligator Gar and Sharks

Depending on the waters you are fishing in, alligator gar can grow to more than two hundred pounds. If you like the challenge of a big fish, this one is it. To compare a fish to this size, you are talking about catching a fresh water shark so to speak. I realize they are not in the same species and sharks don't normally live in fresh water. That said. You will need to take the same precautions to catch a gar as to catching a shark.

Gar is a toothy creature and a predator. They are designed to catch and rip off meat. This fish is a leftover dinosaur of sorts. They are a species that are just as frightening to see in the water a shark while swimming. Imagine coming across an alligator gar while swimming. The truth is unless injured or trapped they will do you no harm.

Start Small: Needle Nose Gar

For those who would like to try these species out, I would recommend starting with smaller gar, the needle nose or other smaller gar. Fishing for those will not require real heavy tackle. To catch them you don't even need a hook.

Catching them without a hook seems unreal, but it can be done. By tying a not one end of a braided nylon rope and then combing the rest out into strands, you will do fine. You see gar have teeth and when they bite the line, they will roll. This will cause the line that is braided to wrap around their mouth, thus trapping it.

By throwing the braided line in front of them and jerking, it will give the impression that a small fish is either injured or trying to escape. This will resemble their normal prey. Try it. You will have fun and develop your sight casting as well.

Going for the Big Alligator Gar

For those who are gutsy enough to go for the big ones, similar type fishing gear for shark, or large salt-water fishing will work. If you do go for the gusto, it would be best to study up on alligator gar, the type of waters they congregate in etc.

Steel leaders will almost be a must. Don't forget they have very sharp teeth. Fishing for big alligator gar alone is just short of crazy. Too many things can go wrong and a buddy is essential to your safety.

Once you have everything in place, go out and try to catch a gar. When you do, you can be one of the few that caught an alligator gar on a fly.