gar

[Christopheraaron]

This may be a bit early but there isn't much info on the web, I want to take the canoe out to quinte for gar this year but I don't know how they behave, any advice?

[wallacio]

Gar are fond of basking in shallow back-bays when it's sweltering hot. Approach slowly, ideally from behind the fish and get your offering ahead of them and retrieve back to them.

[Garfisher]

I'll add that shallow (1' to 5') flats are usually very good too, especially in the summer. The gar I get usually are cruising areas that are sandy with some rocks/boulders, although weed bottoms (those that have Chara sp. or Nitella sp.) will have gar as well. Gar like a presentation that floats or suspends, nothing that sinks though.

[Christopheraaron]

What about spring? Are they deep, in the creeks?

[Garfisher]

I've never really seen gar shallow until the May 24 weekend usually, and I am not quite sure of their whereabouts at this time of year. They could be in some large rivers that do have populations of them (i.e. the Grand, Ottawa, St.Lawrence), however I think finding some would be all based on luck. The gar should be starting to go shallow in about 5-7 weeks

[davey buoy]

I've never really seen gar shallow until the May 24 weekend usually, and I am not quite sure of their whereabouts at this time of year. They could be in some large rivers that do have populations of them (i.e. the Grand, Ottawa, St.Lawrence), however I think finding some would be all based on luck. The gar should be starting to go shallow in about 5-7 weeks

 

I haven't heard anything about Simcoe?,any chance there are any in there?.

[Christopheraaron]

I guess I can wait that long, right now I'll focus on the ofc tournament, as for flies I've heard of people using just rope others say to use a hook do you know anything about that?

[Garfisher]

As far as I know there are none in Simcoe, I think they do go inland along the Trent Severn, but I don't think they are that far up the Trent Severn from Georgian Bay.

 

For flies, people do use those rope flies, however the only thing I have against them is that if you break the fish off, it's as good as dead because the fish can't open its mouth. However, you can use a streamer such as a woolly bugger or other various minnow immitators, just add a stinger hook (treble) to it and you can usually improve your hook up ratios (at least that is what Nick Pujic does, he seems to have good success with it).

Edited April 11, 2012 by Garfisher

[Christopheraaron]

Thanks garfisher

[wallacio]

I also use the stinger trebles for flies...they work great as they keep the Gar's snout closed and it's harder for them to shake the fly.

 

[Christopheraaron]

Thats a beauty fish, articulated leach?

[wallacio]

Thanks. Yeah, bunny strip leech pattern but not articulated. I find that they like black or white flies but they'll really hit anything if properly presented. They generally don't like to move so you need to get the fly running right past their head and they'll usually snap at it. When they take, you want to really lay the wood to them and keep constant pressure on them to ensure that they don't shake the fly/lure. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

 

Another view of the same fish:

 

Edited April 11, 2012 by wallacio

[Christopheraaron]

Do you use a steel leader? they're pretty toothy. Also what happens if they swallow it, is there any chance of getting it out or should you just cut the hook?

Edited April 11, 2012 by Richmond Hill fisher

[wallacio]

We use black dacron ie fly line backing or the stuff you use for spooling tip-ups etc.

[Garfisher]

I doubt you would get a gar to swallow anything but live bait . They usually smack at things with their "beaks", so rarely would they actually take a fly or lure and swallow it before they figure out it isn't food

[Christopheraaron]

I doubt you would get a gar to swallow anything but live bait

 

Like you hand!

[Garfisher]

Or my ankle (ask Aaron Shirley, he was there)

[backbay]

I doubt you would get a gar to swallow anything but live bait . They usually smack at things with their "beaks", so rarely would they actually take a fly or lure and swallow it before they figure out it isn't food

 

I caught two last year on jerk baits, and thought it was more or less the norm. (I don't target them).

[kenzy31]

we hammered them on a very large sand flat, surrounded by rock ledges and weeds, last year when it was over 30 degrees and sweltering heat. we were throwing Zara Spooks and HulaPoppers for largemouth when we noticed little swirls in the distance. motored over with the electric and came upon the largest school of fish i've seen (aside from whities on Simcoe), feeding in packs on the surface. we threw our top waters at them and ended up boating 3 and losing / missing many more. as a suggestion, I wouldn't use a lure with multiple treble hooks. WAY too much of a pain to remove. also, good gloves, long nose hook removers, and a cradle instead of a net are highly recomended I learned all this the hard way good luck, don't forget pics

[Garfisher]

I use Original Floaters for them (although I may try live bait and circle hooks this summer) A cradle is a good idea though, especially if you can't beach the fish.

[manitoubass2]

Man would I love to catch one of them toothy critters

[Christopheraaron]

How big a lure will they swipe at?

[Garfisher]

I normally use Original Floaters in the 11 size (4 3/8" long). I wouldn't go much bigger than that unless you are chasing gar over 40"

[Headhunter]

I used to catch them on th Thames River in London... never used a lure, but this technique worked...

 

-we used live minnows, the smaller the better.

-we used treble hooks and wrapped the whole minnow around the hooks... sometimes even using more than one minnow.

- we would suspend the treble/minnow below a bobber, with no more than a foot of line between the bait and float.

They will tow your float around... wait till yah can really feel them pull and lay the lumber on 'em!

 

I never caught any over three ft long, never saw any that big... but I can tell you that they are not a fish that likes to fight... once you get their snoot up and out of the water, you can motor boat them in....

 

Still a decent way to pass a hot summer day!

HH