The alligator gar in Lake Corpus Christi(Atractosteus spatula) is one of the largest freshwater fish in North America and a powerful ambush predator. With its rows of massive, razor-sharp teeth, its appearance is the stuff of nightmares.
This fish makes some people think twice before going near the water. It makes other people load up their fishing gear!
The Alligator Gar of Lake Corpus Christi
Alligator gar habitat extends from its northernmost range in southern Illinois and southwestern Ohio, south to the Gulf of Mexico, east to the Econfina River in Florida, and west to Veracruz, Mexico. Lake Corpus Christi is the top freshwater fishing location in the Texas Coastal Bend, and a great place for catching alligator gar. If you play your cards right, you have a good chance of landing a true monster.
Texas Parks and Wildlife lists a 216.8-pound alligator gar as the all-tackle record for Lake Corpus Christi. Mason McPherson snagged the beast using a bow and arrow in June 2023.
In September 2023, angler Paul Hefner pulled a 207-pound alligator gar out of Lake Corpus Christi. The fish measured 7 feet, 6 inches long.
Hefner released the fish after measurements and photos.
How Big Do Alligator Gar Get?
The record for the biggest alligator gar ever caught with rod and reel goes to an 8-foot, 4-inch, 283-pound behemoth hauled out of Sam Rayburn Lake, Texas, by Art Weston in September 2023.
The largest alligator gar ever caught, by any means, weighed in at 327 pounds. Fisherman Kenny Williams caught it in a gill net in Mississippi’s Chotard Lake back in 2011.
They may get even bigger than that. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, alligator gar have the potential to reach over 10 feet in length!
You might need a bigger boat.
How to Fish for Alligator Gar
Reeling in a massive alligator gar is no simple task. Even the relatively small ones have a lot of fight in them. It takes the right gear, the right bait, and more than a little patience.
Best Time of Year to Fish
The best time to fish for gar is in the hottest months of the year, beginning in the spring and ramping up to late summer and early autumn. This is when the fish are most active, and it gives you the greatest chance of success.
Best Bait for Alligator Gar
While they will eat a variety of fish and take advantage of other food sources, a large part of their diet consists of smallmouth buffalo, carp, mullet, and gizzard shad. These are your best bets for cut bait.
You may also experiment with different lures, such as spinners, spoons, and rope lures. Remember that gator gar are ambush predators, and something interesting flitting past them just might grab their attention.
Gear Choices
Consider using a 7-foot heavy or medium-heavy action rod. Your choice of hook and leader will depend on what you plan to do with your catch. Many anglers will choose a strong steel leader and a large treble or J hook.
However, if you intend to catch and release, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends avoiding stainless-steel leaders, and opting for Aberdeen hooks 3/0 or smaller. As you likely won’t be able to retrieve your leader and hook after the catch, these may cause less damage to a living fish.
For line, you’ll want to choose something strong. Consider a braided fishing line in the 60-80 lb test range.
Patience
Alligator gars are world-class bait thieves. They are also notoriously difficult to hook. Many times, there isn’t much you can do. Sometimes, it is a matter of patience.
Because of the gator gar’s tendency to run with bait, inexperienced anglers attempt to set the hook too soon. This is the way to go if you hope to mouth hook the fish, but you may see a low success rate.
Waiting 10 or 15 seconds after the fish hits can help. The fish may drop the bait during that time, but this is where that patience part comes in. With a little luck, the hook will set, and from there, the fight is on.
Regulations and Restrictions
If you want to fish in the state of Texas, you’ll need a have a valid fishing license and follow the state fishing regulations. Other restrictions governing alligator gar in Lake Corpus Christi may be less obvious.
These include:
- Reporting your catch within 24 hours.
- Keeping to the one-fish-per-day harvest limit.
- Complying with any temporary closures
Alligator Gar Facts and FAQ
Here are a few interesting facts about gator gars.
What do alligator gars eat?
In Lake Corpus Christi, alligator gar predominantly eat fish. In other habitats, they may eat turtles, crustaceans, and even birds and small mammals.
Do gator gars attack humans?
Humans are not on the menu, and there has never been a documented case of an alligator gar attacking a person. Injuries and accidents do happen when people attempt to haul large fish onto boats, or put their hands too close to a hooked fish’s mouth.
Can alligator gar breathe air?
Yes! They can breathe air and survive for up to two hours out of water. That means, even if you catch one and haul it onto dry land, don’t assume the battle is done.
Is the gator gar an endangered species?
While it has lost habitat over the decades, the alligator gar is not considered an endangered species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies it as a species of least concern.
How long does an alligator gar live?
They can live for 100 years, as far as we know.
Are alligator gars edible?
They aren’t only edible; many people really enjoy them. However, their eggs are toxic, so steer clear.
Facing the Alligator Gar in Lake Corpus Christi
There are monster alligator gar in Lake Corpus Christi. That 207-pounder may still be out there, growing bigger every day.
What else is out there? Could there be a 10-foot alligator gar lurking in the depths of the lake? Such a fish might be over 100 years old, and weigh close to 350 pounds.
If so, somebody has to hook it, and it may as well be you.