Anyone ever had experience eating these? If so what's it like?

I've had I before and it's pretty good. Gar are piscivorous and actually don't tend to pick up weird flavor from the water they live in.

Heard while watching some monster fish show that they can be poisonous if processed wrong. I think they said it was something in their eggs. Caught them my whole life and have met several who where willing to include them in their diet. But I've never heard this before. Anyone else hear thus?

Gar isn't bad when it is freshly caught and fried soon after.

My son recently brought one home from the river. We cut him down the back with tin snips and pulled the back strap. I had never eaten one and was worried but it was pretty good. I have to agree with the fresh part.

I like to cube up the filet, and put it in a bowl of cold water in the fridge with a splash of vinegar in there.

Let it sit for 30 min to an hour, then fry it.

Vinegar seems to take some of the toughness out.

Definitely bring some tools if ya wanna clean it though. don't even bother trying to use a filet knife until the skin is opened up.

And I have always heard that the roe (eggs) are poisonous as well. Never been inclined to try gar caviar (cavigar?) though.

Alligator gar aren't bad at all, but the smaller ones taste better. We used to shoot a bunch in bowfishing tournaments. As others said, just take the filets and fry them up.

They are likely going to have high mercury concentrations in the tissue though.

Yes, the larger ones in certain waters.

I do like gar, but like someone else to cook it.

Thanks for the responses, do they produce a decent amount of meat?

Nah, probably picked it up from some Cajun on Swamp people.

Yes... have y'all never been to mambos in Houston and ordered Gar? It's alright.

ursusguy said:

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I do like gar, but like someone else to cook it.

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Have you seen the recent survey by TPWD about gar fishing/harvest?

I got an email and took it the other day... seems like they're taking a much more conservative approach (probably needed in some areas) to population management.

If you like mudcat, you'll like gar.

Gar is good white meat. Some say it tastes like alligator tail.

Tin snips through the scales/skin. Filet out. Cubes and fry. Very good white flesh and good tasting. Recommend.

I've seen it. I'm just long enough removed that I don't follow things as closely as I used to (I used to pay attention to anything and everything I heard.....had its advantages and disadvantages).

Granted, I have been learning more fisheries management on the fly.

Some of the whitest, flakiest freshwater fish I've ever had. Highly recommended eating it and getting someone else to clean it for you if at all possible.

Anyone tried spotted gar or other varieties? Don't have many alligator gar nearby my house in TN but nearby overflow lake is full of decent size spotted gar.

Alright Ags, I'm going for it. We used to always beat these off with a paddle but I'll give it a go. Thanks

Cut up & use for trot line bait. Enjoy the blue cats after.