Skip to main content

Texas Alligator Gar

Trinity River, Texas Alligator Gar—Here is a fish that may grow to 400 pounds, may live for 75 years, and fights like a professional wrestler with a system full of steroids. Set the hook and Old Tooth Face is coming up for a look, head and three-quarter body length above the water, jaws ajar, teeth slashing and gnashing, one of the most awesome and unique sights in freshwater fishing.

Anglers traveling to fish the Trinity River, with a main stretch running from Dallas to Livingston Reservoir, have an excellent chance of tangling with gar surpassing 100 pounds—especially if they choose to fish with Capt. Kirk Kirkland. Indeed, hook-and-line gar fishing as we know it today was pretty much pioneered by Kirkland, who insists on releasing everything that's caught.

Gator gar can be on the move in the Trinity by March, but the best fishing transpires in warmer weather, from May through July into the dead of summer if you can stand the heat. The fishing slows again in fall by November.

I have caught large specimens of all the largest freshwater fishing in North America: white sturgeon, gator gar, lake sturgeon, blue catfish, flathead catfish, king salmon, and carp. As a group these fish are brutes and fight brutishly determined battles, pulling long and hard. The sturgeons and gator gar add to that mix their spectacular ability to jump. Because they get so big and fight so hard—and they come up to survey the situation with a jump—surely sturgeon and gator gar aren't just among the greatest freshwater sportfish in North America, they are the greatest. And the Trinity River is arguably the best waters remaining for giant gator gar.


Contact: Capt. Kirk Kirkland, 204/490-0284.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV Springtime Smallmouth SlamFest

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Choose the Right Hooks for Your Harness Rigs and CATCH MORE FISH

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Andy Montgomery's Strike King Skipping Buzzbait

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Lew's Signature Series Bladed Jig Rod with Andy Montgomery

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Hide Your Line--Camo Trick for Fishing Line with Bryant Smith

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Pick the RIGHT Buzzbait Trailers with Andy Montgomery

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

The Strike King KVD Popping Perch is AWESOME with Bryant Smith

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

When to Fish a BIG JIG for Bass with Greg Hackney

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

The BEST Way to Trim A Jig Skirt with Greg Hackney

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Prespawn Buzzbaits for BIG Largemouth Bass with Keith Combs

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Keith Combs talks about the Strike King Rage Cut-R Worm

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Gear

Swim Jig Secrets for Shallow Water Largemouth Bass with Mark Davis

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the In-Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now