Never had experience hooking into Gar up in NY but down in NC its become a thing every trip. I'm usually good for hooking into 1-2 a trip and lately they have been at the upper range for their size from what I can tell 5' away. Fun fight but typically 5 feet or less from the boat they come undone. I know they are difficult to catch on traditional hook lures but is there anything I can do to increase my chances of landing one long enough to get her to/in the boat? I dont want to use anything that will leave lasting damage or be a nightmare to untangle (rope lures). I'd really like to start documenting length/girth since this is becoming common.

 

Gear typically in hand when hooking into one:

7' ARK Tharp MH/XF

Daiwa Fuego

12lb trilene XL

 

Most success has been a 3/8 double willow spinner in shad colors.

Use a rope fly. It won't work for anything else though. 

Jerkbait is what I get almost all of them with 

The rope lures are your best chance for landing them. Jigheads like grubs or swimbaits have decent success but minnow style baits and jerkbaits have the best landing percentage for me (although it's still not great). 

Might have to try out some jerkbaits and see how it goes. I've seen the ropes work really well, like I mentioned just trying to avoid the "unhooking" process that goes with it.

 

They are at least filling the void in my heart having no musky/pike close by!

The finest-wire, sharpest hook you can find

This is Tiemco 5263 streamer hook

Bring your pliers for extracting the hook

 

I’ve never been able to even come close to figuring out the rope trick 

I’ve hooked many of them.  I’ve never landed a single one.  Their built in line cutter is very effective.   

I gotta say I'm really shocked none have cut me off...yet...I'm thinking since its mostly been on a spinner that bit of wire frame separating the hook from line is helping.

 

I'll have to find something thinner and sharper. Seems to be the common theme between treble hook baits and those Tiemco hooks. I'll also try running a trailer hook on the spinner, see if a double hook lasts long enough to boat it.

 

Anyone eat these things?

 

Do a Google search for Gar Rope Lure. You can find them on eBay for under $4.00. You could just as easily make one yourself. 

 

Years ago I used one similiar and they work fairly decently. The best part is you don't have to worry about getting the hooks out.

Like bulldog said a fine wire hook is the best thing for gar. I use a number 6 or 8 octopus hook when my kiddo wants to catch them. A piece of bluegill fillet about a foot or two under a small bobber. Wait til the the second time they start swimming with the bobber and set the hook. Usually by then they have towards the back of the nose and there's just enough skin there to get a hook stuck. I've never gut hooked one like that.