Thread: Bady windy yesterday

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