Poor Magnificent Alligator Gars

[sandtiger]

The gar fishing dosen't bother me half as much as this...

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

I can tell you the trophy fish I've gone for are not something you just go out and do one day. You spend LOTS of money and time to get there.

Just curious, what fish do you hunt?

 

[broberts1030]

All those fish were most likely caught and released or cuaght and ate. Its not like there catching them and just throwing them away. Can you imagine how hard it would be to catch one of those giant gars. I can see how a man would see it as quite and accomplishment and like to show off his trophy. I think its fine as long as their not wasting them.

 

[sandtiger]

All those fish were most likely caught and released or cuaght and ate. Its not like there catching them and just throwing them away. Can you imagine how hard it would be to catch one of those giant gars. I can see how a man would see it as quite and accomplishment and like to show off his trophy. I think its fine as long as their not wasting them.

Actually, not many people eat them. Most consider them trash fish and want them removed in order to protect gamefish like largemouth bass. They aren't particularly common either.

The alligator gar is rare, endangered, and has even been extirpated from many of the outer areas of its range. Studies in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana have shown that the alligator gar is very susceptible to overfishing. It has been classified as rare in Missouri, threatened in Illinois, and endangered in Arkansas, Kentucky, and is soon to be in Tennessee.

Source: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/AlligatorGar/AlligatorGar.html

Global Status: G3G4
Global Status Last Reviewed: 13Dec1999
Global Status Last Changed: 13Dec1999
Rounded Global Status: G3 - Vulnerable
Reasons:
Large range mainly in rivers and river-mouth estuaries in the central and southeastern United States and eastern Mexico; uncommon to rare in most of range, abundant enough to support fisheries in some areas; extirpated or disappearing in northern part of range, declining in the south; declining in abundance most areas; decline may be related to channelization, impoundments, frequent barge traffic, and commercial fishing.
Nation: United States
National Status: N3N4

SOURCE: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Atractosteus spatula

 

[Masta Flan]

The gar fishing dosen't bother me half as much as this...

yes that pisses me off more than anything too. i love sharks and i think they are one of the most beautiful fish in the world. damn *******s killing them just for their fins

 

[ancientfishfan]

Just curious, what fish do you hunt?

So far in freshwater most of my life it's been trout (love those big browns). Been fishing the Sierras most of my life and still feel like there is a ton to learn. Just recently caught my first golden. Have my first five pound brown above my fireplace. Now the rest get released and some of the smaller ones get eaten. Briefly tried for monster largemouth bass in Castaic (close to where I live) a few years back. Would like to get back into that some time. Fortunate enough to try for monster rainbows in Alaska twice without any luck. In the future I'd like to go to Montana for some fly fishing. Lots of nice sized browns there!

In the local ocean with my speargun I go for yellow tail and white sea bass when they're in season. I have a goal of getting a 50+lbs WSB one day. Also free dive for the lobster (in season of course) and have fun on the rare occasion when I can grab/wrestle a big one (the big boys are catch and release in my book). Usually go out to Catalina and the Channel Islands with one trip to Cortez Banks. Cortez was a great dive and tremendous experience. Hope to get back some time. In Alaska I've had a great time in Valdez with the Silvers.

When you go for the big stuff you don't always get it and it usually is nowhere near as productive as just trying to catch fish. In fact the vast majority of the time you don't get a monster. That's what makes it sweet when you finally do get one. If I just go to catch something I'll get lots of fish. You can spend what seems like a lifetime trying to get a true trophy fish and learning how. I certainly don't know everything. In fact I don't even know if I'm good at any of it yet. I do love learning and trying to go for the big boys.

 

[Opiate]

i agree with all that u ppl say but i have to disagree with keeping them as pets!! it's different if u keep sumthing thats bread in captivity or have never seen the wild...unless...all aligator gars come from the wild?

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

That shark pic was horrible.

 

[Steve_89]

I can tell you at least a few of those fish were most likely released because I know where the pictures come from and typically when they are in the water with the fish that means the fish were let go.

How badly does this one grind your gears?

I hate that!

I think I have seen the video to it too....It was disgusting.

They all thought they were heroes. They didn't even catch it with a rod...

 

[estubbaly]

i agree with all that u ppl say but i have to disagree with keeping them as pets!! it's different if u keep sumthing thats bread in captivity or have never seen the wild...unless...all aligator gars come from the wild?[/QUOT

they're being farm bred by the thousands in asia and as for all the bleeding hearts...I know now who not to invite when I go fishing...