How to Fly Fish for Gar

Fly-fishing for gar, a member of the pike species, means having to choose the proper fly and rod weight as well as placing the fly near the fish as it rolls over the surface. Gars are long, slender fish with prehistoric-looking faces. The mouth of the gar is filled with razor-sharp teeth and the fish has a head that is able to turn back and snap at you as you try to remove it from the fly hook.

Things You'll Need

  • Flies with white marabou and minimum 4/O hooks
  • Unbraided nylon leader (7 to 9 feet)
  • Rubber work gloves
  • Pliers
  • Plastic comb
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sight fish for the gar. Set up your rod with a white marabou-based fly with an unbraided nylon leader, set to 7 to 9 feet. Gars have air sacks that allow them to breathe air as well as water. Watch for the gar to roll to the surface and place the fly near the area.

    • 2

      Avoid trying to set the hook when the gar strikes, due to the gar's long jaw. Let the gar tangled in the leader -- the reason to use the unbraided nylon leader. This line is hard to snap and the gar will get it tangled in its teeth, much like dental floss. Once the gar is tangled, pull back to set the hook.

    • 3

      Let the gar run to about 30 feet during the fight. Retrieve as it tires, and then let it out when it hits to fight again. Once the gar is within your reach, put on your gloves. Don't handle the gar without them, as the scales are hard and sharp and cause cuts. There is also a danger of the gar snapping your fingers, potentially severing part of the digit.

    • 4

      Remove the line from the gar's mouth with the pliers and the plastic comb. Use the comb to run over the line and remove the line from the gar's teeth. Once the line is out of the teeth, use pliers to out pull the hook. Never put your fingers into the gar's mouth.

    • 5

      Practice catch and release with the gar. The gar's flesh is dry and not easy to cook. Gar roe is toxic.