Can You Eat Longnose Gar?
Vložit
- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- The old saying is, 'How do you know you don't like it, if you've never even tried it?'
Most people curl their nose at the idea of eating a gar. Many fish are like that. I was surprised when I ate this one.
After mentioning that there were gar in the river where I live, a few people in the know said that they were very good. So after my buddy caught one, I was quick to fry it up. I followed a brief description I had once heard of how to extract the goody from the gar's thick hide. I then posted a pic of the fish on the chopping block and was hipped by someone to the fact that they could possibly be poisonous. Then after doing some research, I found out that the females make eggs with a toxic coating that are harmful to people. Luckily, the fish I ate had no eggs. Seems the best way to assure you don't get sick is to partly chop the head off from the top and then snip the skin along the backbone with some strong scissors. The skin can then be peeled sideways and down away from the filets. That exposes the meat which can then be cut easily away with a regular filet knife. Not only does that sound easier, but when done correctly, you never come in contact with the potentially harmful guttyworks. I will definitely try that next time if I can ever manage to catch one of these hard to catch, prehistoric looking monsters.
Thanks to all my teachers (subscribers) for helping me become a better fisherman. And to all the folks like 'Pine' that have sent me things like the Ike Jime spike. If there is something you'd like to send me or if you'd like to write to me, my current address is
Marty Zoffinger
1510 River Dr SW
Suite A
Ruskin, Fl 33570
I really love this guy with the way he interects with his fanbase
I bowfish for gar quite a bit. some tips for cleaning
use tin snips. nail the head down to a board, cut with the tin snips the top fin at the back. cut from that point up the the skull. use box cutters to separate the meat from the skin making long slices along the seam. then take a filet knife and filet down along the rib cage from the top down.
also a great recipe. gar tends to be chewier than typical fish. I personally like sear gar on the grill, then shred it a bit and use it in a crab cake recipe. just replace all the crab meat with gar meat.
@CrazyLegs yeah I sometimes go with friends and some nights we would get an upwards of 20 fish in an hour. unfortunately they dont like to clean them, but like to eat them. at first it's pretty labor intensive until you get a rhythm then you can knock it out in minutes.
Walter P yea I bow fish and catch them it’s really a delicacy where I live in south Louisiana bit instead of snips I found it easier to take a machete and cut under the dorsal fin all the way to the head and filet it from there
Can you eat gar?
Yes
Have you ever tried filleting one???
Yes, thats what i never eat gar LOL
My aunt would always make meatballs out of the long nosed spotted gar that my uncle caught at the Paluxy river here in Texas. Garballs are delicious!
141,000 subscribers wow i’m glad so many people enjoy your videos as much as i do!
Hey Marty ! Thanks for pluging my fish dispatcher ! Got the idea from you . Just added some extras ! I had sent it for you to carry in your kayak . That's why it has the braided safety leash . (To go around your wrist ). Thanks for using it . Please let me know if you liked the other crazy things I sent you . I really love your videos ! Look forward to seeing you always a pleasure ! I had a very bad accident recently . I am hurt really bad ! You do brighten up my day . Do you have any stickers for sell ? I would like to buy a few . I just love stuff like that ! It looks like your business is picking up ! I am very happy for you ! It always takes a while for things to work out . When I was younger , we would just gut the gar and cook it whole over a fire . The skin pealed right off , and was tender and juicy . A little salt and pepper . It was awesome ! Camp food at it's best . Try it , you'll like it ! Thanks again my Brother !! Tight lines , and happy memories !!! See ya , Pine !
What a great topic! I've been trying to hook a gar on a local river (I'm quite new to fishing) myself, so I don't have first-hand experience. Something I've seen in some other videos is people using tin snips to cut through the hide, then removing the flesh like regular fillets.
Also, if you like leather goods, such as holsters and knife sheaths, gar skin makes a really nice end result!
Don't try don't know. Although some need serious thinking. The oil was a way too hot tho. Don't fry when the oil is smoking. Also, try put the bread crumbs in a bag and drop the egg coated pieces into the bag. Then wrapped up the end of the bag like a balloon and shake it... a lot less mess. Nothing like your outdoor kitchen. Just water blast and cleans everything. Love it bro, it's a good life👍👍👍👍
Living by a small river full of Gar and Carp people have learned how to cook these fish. How we did Gar was to take a hacksaw cut off the head then cut with the saw every 1/2 to 3/4 inch making filet/puck looking things and leave the outer shell on. Clean the guts out and wash real well and coat with real lemon juice and butter blend and cook on the smoker basting with more of the lemon and butter off and on. Then when done you jut fork the meat out of the outer shell. This gives them good flavor but also protects them from drying out during the cooking. As for the Carp most around here just grind it up and make up like you would some salmon patties and eat it that way.
Here in south Louisiana we make a "V" shape with a board for his nose and head to fit in. Take a meat cleaver or a hatchet from the back of the dorsal fin chopping toward his head. Then cut between the armor behind the head and then down by the tail, which exposes the filets. The belly meat is good also, not a lot, depending on the size of the gar. I grew eating and catching gar all my life, even Bowfin are quite tasty. Bowfishing is a kick in the pants, but so is jugging; we use mullet for bait.
Try to bake or broil in butter otherwise known as Poor Man's Lobster
Wow Marty I'm native Floridian and live across the bay from you and I've never ate that fish. You learn something every day. Take care.
Great video, so funny with your friend hacking away with the saw...I've caught some good ones on cut ladyfish, but have never tried eating them. Thanks for making this video.
Zoff! Love the excessive lemons and how you find a way to incorporate the terminology! I’m the guy who always comments it on your Facebook haha! Tight lines bro! Also thanks for the name shoutout on one of your past videos cooking bait on the boat! Love it man
Awesome background story. I also grew up fishing as a kid, but never fished much in highschool, then i joined the navy, and didnt fish for those 8 years too except maybe once or twice in WA state. Now im living in Pensacola since Jan, and recently bought a kayak for fishing. Love your videos!
Hahahaaha when you put the head up to the tail!!
Cut a line below the head with hacksaw. Then take a pair of tin snips down the back. The snips work a lot better for them. I never bother with them think they are too much work but they are tasty.
The great reciprocal arrangement.
Yup, Tin snips down the center of the back and pull out the backstraps. Easy clean and delish!
Mix between chicken and gator tail.
What you need guys is a old table top band saw !
Our method for preparing long nose gar is similar to others... Belly down. Remove head and tail with hacksaw. Cut through entire length of back with tin snips. Carefully remove both backstraps with filet knife. Cut into large cubes and stir-fry in wok. Tastes mild like chicken with look/texture of fried tofu. Enjoy.
I caught one in NC while fishing in a canoe. I dropped it in the boat, between my legs, while trying to get the lure out of its mouth. That thing thrashed and rolled like an alligator and wound up with half a spool of line wrapped around it by the time I could get hold of it again. Meantime those teeth and the treble-hooked lure were making me REALLY uncomfortable. All turned out well, I'm thankful to say, and there was no visit to the emergency room. I released it to terrorize another victim.
I was indeed a sensative viewer who looked away, you have a ears of steel
We are all ways here for you Marty love your videos thanks for the shirt buddy
"He's a heck of alot shorter now." Lol. Tastey looking fillets.
Marty I want to wish you a merry Christmas and lots of blessings. Thank you for your videos I have learned a lot about kayak fishing my brother.
.Batter flesh with seasoned flour and deep fry! It has a consistency like chicken and it's really good. And yes it tastes like chicken.🐔🐔🐔We used 100 lb. test to catch 50 to 80 lb. Gar in in Baytown Texas.
I've always: cut the head off (I think I did have to use a saw), then use tin snips to cut a lengthwise line down the tough hide--now I can't remember if I did cut this line along the dorsal side or ventral side of the gar, but it seems like the ventral (bottom) would be easier, but then you risk gutting it which can be avoided, however all the commenters who do a similar style are saying the top side, so anyway you be the judge.. after cutting off the head and using a pair of snips to cut a long split down the length of the fish (just under that armor), then you and a friend work to peel the hide off of that fish. If there are two of you, then one should hold onto the far end of the meat (where the head used to be), and the other should pull the hide off from around the fish.. Once you've done that, use a filet knife to cut out the boneless, delicious backstraps!
Gar taste really great, kinda like gator tail, and mostly like gar.. Mr. Zoffinger, they were probably not overdone, they tend to be a little chewy (but not enough to be gross), and the size of the one in your video is about perfect. Just medium sized.
Zoffinger, take $20 to the camping section at Wal-Monster and buy a device called a "Thermacell". I think they're $19.97 anywhere ya go, and they're worth every penny. They repel mosquitoes and gnats! $20 would get ya going.
Used too catch gar all the time in the South Florida lakes and canals as a kid, but never really ate them due to toxicity in waterways. Aviation/tin snips along the dorsal is how I've always seen people prepare them. Avoids hacking through organs.
If you're having trouble catching gar, try to use a nylon rope lure. Their teeth will get caught in the fibers and the floating lure looks like a bird on top of the water which seems to be irresistible to gar of all kinds.
Gar is Great. Gar is Good. the comments below that suggest butter-based techniques are where it’s at. i slivered up freshwater Gar pieces (because i failed to pull good filets on 1st attempt) & broiled in butter, scampi-style, with parsley to show how classy i am. i suggest medium’ish heat settings...too low for too long makes it tough.
The threat of poisoning from gar is blown way out of proportion. As long as you rinse the meat you will be just fine. The eggs are not that toxic and you actually have to eat a significant amount to have any effect.
We use an unraveled and frayed nylon rope for a lure. They will catch their teeth in it when they bite. Easiest way to “hook” em.
Love all of your videos, Marty!
Went gigging for the 1st time the other night with my son and was able to jab a nice 15lb longnose. Seeing this makes me even more excited to try it😁 thanks! 👍🏼
Interesting for sure, Marty. Never would have guessed Gar are good to eat. Great video.
I just cut the head then make cuts down each top side with metal shears and peel off the scale layer down to the tail. Remove the "back straps" as you would a deer. Take the two long cuts you remove and slice to what size you prefer.
What is the 12ft pelican in the background the the left @ 2:39?
Marty we used to fish for these with nylon rope about 8 to 12 inches in length and frayed like a top water jig no hooks needed.
This. Cheap and effective. White works best here in East Georgia.
Exactly how we did it, too. Nylon or polypropylene rope, whip one end, then fray the rope. Gather the other end back together in a bunch, and whip it, leaving a wider tangled bird's nest in the middle. Tie it on and fish it like a Spook! If they're playing hard to get, you can add some fresh cut bait into the bird's nest. Their teeth are either straight or curved back, depending on the species, so once he strikes, he's tangled in...all you have to do is keep the line tight!
great video again Marty! Enjoyed watching it!
Get yourself a hatchet, pair of pliers, and fillet knife. Grab the dorsal fin with the lineman pliers and start with the hatchet at the base of the fin and work your way towards the head, this will take a strip of the scales off the back of the gar, then use the fillet knife to skin it out. You can use the fillet knife between the scales (there are softer membranes between the scales) to skin around the head and tail.
Next time, nail the head to that piece of wood, so you will have a grip on them, they are so tought to handle! That way you won't need to worry about cutting off a finger with the garden shears. Awesome video!
I use a 2x6 and nail it's head to one end of the board. Use a bone saw and cut the head 1/2 way off. The use tin snips to cut down the spine and fillet off both sides of the back straps. About the easiest way I have found to handle them and yo don't have to worry about eggs either.
Ever eat catfish there? So many people told me no way, but we eat them all the time up north. Would like to know what you think.
Catfish is usually what I fish for here in Southern Illinois.
gosh dang! you about covered it when you said Sheesh haha probably dulled your saw!
I agree with you, never listen to nay sayers about fish. It is all about how you cook fish. When I use to live in BC Canada the locals use to feed the pink salmon to their dogs only, but that was only because they only wanted to eat king salmon (chinook). I have never met a fish I did not like.
I have gotten them but tough as heck to cut through skin/scales during cleaning. Their skin is sharp as heck too. Brother and I fried up some back in South Dakota. Definitely no expert either and learn from my viewers often. I used tin snips to cut through their armor. Haha. Saw works too! 🙂👍
Very cool thanks for taking us along. Next time I am down FLA way I will give it a shot.
Gar is my favorite! The belly meat of larger alligator gar is the best.
Caught a 4 and 1/2 footer several years ago in Oyster Creek (here in Texas). Used a hammer and hatchet to cut down along the back and just opened right up. Was a heck of a fight!
The roe of female gar is toxic, but only if you eat it I think. I saw another video where the man said that you can use them as a GREAT catfish bait. I prefer the cleaning method of sawing only enough (behind the head) to get shears under skin and cut it down to the dorsal fin.... then remove the meat as you do big game backstraps.
Hi Marty Nice video i’m a little jealous of all the fish you guys are catching The fish are not biting here at this time I believe the water needs to warm up a little more
In Louisiana we like those 6 ft alligator gar, cut into 1" steaks and cooked in a courtbouillon (koo-bee-yawñ) rice & gravy, with a few fried pieces on the side.
Ça Ç'est Bon!!
Gar meat kinda reminds me of spoonbill... I'll definitely have to give it a try soon, cause I love spoonbill!
I'm game to eat anything!!! 😂😂😂
Great preface. And always taking advice and sharing. Hope to see ya up in the northwest if ya get the chance.
I have seen some people actually use the gar hide and make it into a knife sheath.
I used to live in Oklahoma near Eufaula Lake and I had a black friend who enjoyed fishing for needle nose gar similar as yours and he cut up of course remove the armor skin and leave it with bone and cook it in the pressure cook and gave me some cooked gar and it was sure delicious and it tasted like a tuna can you know. Yours look delicious and please don't use the treated board as board cutter again. Smile! Keep fishing and stay with Vlog.
first!! my favorite channel btw glad you upload more now
Guy I work with is a huge fan of eating gar. Fresh water gar. I have yet to try it. Maybe next summer
The Heads are great for the crab pots.
Great video Marty, I live in SWF and unfortunately the fishing here has been terrible because of all the red tide.
Is longnose gar a saltwater or freshwater fish?
Where was the catch at? Area? I’m a local in TB.
Do bow fin next Marty.. Thanks for sharing
Nice video Marty...there is a video on CZcams from Louisiana that shows this guy making short order of Alligator Gar, he cleans one after the other, and uses a meat cleaver and what appears to be a box cutter and an axe..interesting how fast and effortless he makes it look...name of the video is "The fastest way to clean an Alligator Gar"..you might be able to adapt his technique to cleaning a longnose gar...pretty cool.
Awesome man, Love these catch and cooks! 😎
They have to use a handheld buzz saw to skin large alligator gar
I don't know i will have to watch and find out. :)
Dress your lure(jig) with frayed poly rope, the gar's teeth get tangled in it. Do a search you can get some examples.
great video, i had gar nuggets years ago fishing for bass and accidently caught a 35" gar. cooked it up and it was delicious
Love your videos!
That looks good 😋 I've never seen this fish here in Canada but would love to try it 🤤
Great clean and cook Marty.
To quote Les Stroud, "Bugs are your friends, they never leave you" :)
Funny, I always pour some Bud Light in my egg too....lol.
Alligator gar but their skin tough as hell to fillet
Is that treated wood you used as a cutting board
Gar are awesome
If Gar tastes like chicken I'll pass because Frog legs taste identical to chicken but they don't have much meat so you'll get more meat from sticking with chicken, especially for the price. Have you tried Snakeheads?
the gars are do hard to catch on a rod and reel
Thanks for the video. I’ve caught my share of gar and never thought of eating anything thing so ugly. The things look like a throwback to dinosaurs after all.
Next time i catch one I’m frying the ugly thing up.
One more thing Marty , I don't sell those . Just make them and give em away !!!!
I've always wanted to try gar. There's a TON of gar in lake Houston and the San Jacinto river basin here in east Texas. I just wish the waters weren't so damn polluted or I'd actually try eating some.
I never realized they were so tough to clean, you almost have to use your whole tool box to cut them up lol
Try tin snips down the back and around the head then peel the skin around it
The best way I found for this insane fish is to use tin snips along the top and bottom. Then just pull the skin off on both sides and remove the guts and give a good rinse. Remove the head and leave the meat on the bone. That is the best possible way to save as much meat as possible.
I personally like to marinate in teriyaki sauce and smoke it. The same texture as mahi-mahi
The best way to clean them is to take some yellow handled metal cutting shears (yellow=straight cutting ) and cut the tail and back fins off the cut the top row of scales till you reach the head and cut around and repeat on the bottom then pull the sides off with catfish skinners and filet if the egg sack isn’t punctured the belly meat is good too
Also it’s not Ikejime if you don’t run a wire or something through the spinal cord from tail to head after the spike
yes its good eating. lots of bones thou, we usually keep the bigger ones like 5-6ft. gar steaks gar balls and patties. Gar roast stuffed with garlic and onions and cooked down in gravy over rice is da bomb brotha!!!!
Richie how did you caught it n what kind of bait
I was drifting a Greenback on a 1/0 Mustad circle hook. The fish was never hooked though. The leader actually got wrapped around its long snout. Basically, I got lucky. There are a few comments here that mention much better techniques.
To catch gar don’t use a hook. A piece of frayed rope tied or glued to the lure/fly will tangle in their teeth and works excellently
I use kitchen shears and heave gloves to clip through the skin and scales on the back from head to tail. Then filet inside that being careful not to cut your knuckles on the sharp scales.
Hello friend... Here in vzla we eat snooks and barracuda and some people ther say they are trash fish.... Not at all. The barracuda it one of my favoryte meat and snook. I think some people are worried about ciguatera. Try barracuda and snook you wong be desapoint
Great choice of chips!! Also look into a thermacell for the bugs
I thought the Ike Jimi thing involved running wire thru center of there spine
I must have cooked mine too long. It was way to chewy. I couldn’t finish it.
I cleaned one over 20inches and the only thing I could salvage was the back strip but it was some of the best fish meat I ever had
gar patties down in cajun land. not bad.
Go figure, you never know until you try something how it will taste. It looked delicious. What did he catch that gar on.
I heard crocodile meat taste like chicken, perhaps the gar is a relative.
I CAUGHT GAR BEFORE ,BUT NEVER EAT ONE . I WILL TRY THE NEXT ONE . THANKS ....