THE GAR

I would like to share a picture of a alligator gar my great grandad(Martin Shoemaker) and great uncle(Johnny Shoemaker) caught in Boeuf River near Rayville, LA in early 60's. Fished weighed about 210#, approx. 7'6" longAttachment 196475 and could have been state record but they didn't care much about records. Used a real short cane pole about 3' long and pretty big around as a "jug" like we do now and used bream as bait. They trapped and fished for a living. This was one they could handle and said they lost some bigger ones. Said gar pulled them down the river for 30 mins before they could shoot him.

:yikes
Thats bigun!! And a cool old picture. I love old nostalgic pictures from way back when...even better when you know the people and the story.....thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the pic. I've seen that pic somewhere before but can't remember where.

Great picture...thanks for shareing

whoa nelly........

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bluethunder

Thanks for the pic. I've seen that pic somewhere before but can't remember where.

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It's in a catfish restaurant somewhere in West Monroe. One of my uncles put it there.

That's where I saw it.

Dat's cool :highfive

Wow! Like to see the ones that got away.

Love the picture and the story.
"gene"
Gee, if Vet could hang one like that.

Was raised on Boeuf River. When I was a kid we watched them roll in the summertime. That all changed when Gumby Dam was built. Also it is pronounced Beff River in red neck land

Huge for sure. Reminds me of an old fella I see on occasion on the Vermillion river bridge next to my driveway. That fella stands on the bridge looking down into the water with a harpoon in his hand (not a bow, as in bow fishing). Harpoon looks home made. The water level is at least 20 Ft. down from the bridge on most occasions. Extreme concentration and skill like I've never seen - and patience. When I stop he always has 3 - 4 in the back of his truck. Big ones too. Never have seen anything like that. From what I have seen at the small seafood markets, those nasty gars get a pretty good price for some reason.

Enjoyed your picture, thanks for posting.

That's a cool picture. Thanks for sharing!

A friend and I were on Toledo Bend back in our late teens, and eased across a big one like that. Water was really clear and the pirogue drifted over him. Looked like he could take an arm off. Made a big impression and remember it clearly 20+ yrs later. Maybe the depth magnified it...not sure. Looked huge.

I'll pass on EVER getting one that big in the boat. :)

I've seen people gig them. Home made gigs also. They watch for the gar to roll and estimate where the gar will be when they pitch the gig underhanded. Some are good at it.

I used to paddle grandpaw to run trotlines every chance I had when I was little. When in college at LSU would deckhand summers for my uncle Charlie Hardison and loved every minute of it. Was about 10 when GAR was caught but still remember it.

That's a awesome picture ! Can't wait to go get a few this summer .

That's a monsta!

My dad grew up on Boeuf River just west of Rayville in Girard and he would show us pictures and gar heads of some he and family members caught well over 100 lbs.

Those two are tough as nails. Bet they didn't know much about video games or I things. Thanks for sharing.