Good stuff. Oddly, we are starting to see snook up here in NC the last couple of years. I wouldn't call it a fishery yet... more of an oddball thing. As far as alligator gar, we used to catch them a lot down in Florida. Never tried to eat one, though. Big fun to get one alongside the rowboat, though! Got 'em up here too, but I don't mess much with any freshwater fish these days.
We regularly eat gar (spotted, short nose and long nose) IL has a greta alligator gar reintroduction program right in my backyard. Just waiting patiently on those to hopefully survive and thrive and reach a suitable age. Although we sometimes get them on the trotlines, generally ours are taken by bow.
Being a certifiable “good ol’ girl….spent a bored Sunday afternoon targeting gar, not to eat though! Aaahhhh, snook. They were plentiful, 16” and so tasty. I. My best fish was 40”/34#/10#mono/20#leader on a 2000 Shimano. Feels like yesterday. But then the rules began changing. And so did I. Today, I delight in the hunt, not the kill. I’m getting soft in my old age. Tight lines
Someone invited me over to share and enjoy some of his precious snook while I was in Florida, and it fell through due to a stupid scheduling error on my part. Sigh. Not sure when I'll get the chance to try it again, but hopefully one day! I saw on another comment that you prefer the smaller long-nose gar (which I can fish for here in the Great Lakes region). Would you say they're worth targeting?
Snook are actually becoming quite abundant in much of Florida, and continue to expand their range northward along the Gulf coast. I catch them often when we are down in Citrus County, FL. They are highly regulated (slot size limit from 28-33"), and when I catch one in the slot, he usually goes home for dinner with me. Excellent eating fish.......just make sure you take the skin off, otherwise they have a soapy taste. I caught a 42" longnose gar down there last year also, and cooked that up for dinner with some friends. It was delicious, but everyone thought it tasted more like chicken breast or a pork chop than fish. Very unusual taste and texture for a fish, but definitely great eating.
Hi Hank, what a great write! I’m a fan and I have a few of your books. I’m sorry I missed meeting you at Parrot Eyes on the morning of your fishing trip with Corey Mock! I meant to, but was running late and got there probably a minute before you guys left. I’ve known Corey since he was just a fingerling, his mom and dad, Capt Skipper Mock and I were great friends. I’ve also known Mike Ortiz and his family for many years as well. Keep up the good work and hope to meet you the next time around….andy davila
Greetings from Mt. Etna! Great story that read like I was standing next to you! Looking forward to the recipes next!
Kewl fishing adventure. Thanks for sharing. 👍
Good stuff. Oddly, we are starting to see snook up here in NC the last couple of years. I wouldn't call it a fishery yet... more of an oddball thing. As far as alligator gar, we used to catch them a lot down in Florida. Never tried to eat one, though. Big fun to get one alongside the rowboat, though! Got 'em up here too, but I don't mess much with any freshwater fish these days.
We regularly eat gar (spotted, short nose and long nose) IL has a greta alligator gar reintroduction program right in my backyard. Just waiting patiently on those to hopefully survive and thrive and reach a suitable age. Although we sometimes get them on the trotlines, generally ours are taken by bow.
Being a certifiable “good ol’ girl….spent a bored Sunday afternoon targeting gar, not to eat though! Aaahhhh, snook. They were plentiful, 16” and so tasty. I. My best fish was 40”/34#/10#mono/20#leader on a 2000 Shimano. Feels like yesterday. But then the rules began changing. And so did I. Today, I delight in the hunt, not the kill. I’m getting soft in my old age. Tight lines
Someone invited me over to share and enjoy some of his precious snook while I was in Florida, and it fell through due to a stupid scheduling error on my part. Sigh. Not sure when I'll get the chance to try it again, but hopefully one day! I saw on another comment that you prefer the smaller long-nose gar (which I can fish for here in the Great Lakes region). Would you say they're worth targeting?
Snook are actually becoming quite abundant in much of Florida, and continue to expand their range northward along the Gulf coast. I catch them often when we are down in Citrus County, FL. They are highly regulated (slot size limit from 28-33"), and when I catch one in the slot, he usually goes home for dinner with me. Excellent eating fish.......just make sure you take the skin off, otherwise they have a soapy taste. I caught a 42" longnose gar down there last year also, and cooked that up for dinner with some friends. It was delicious, but everyone thought it tasted more like chicken breast or a pork chop than fish. Very unusual taste and texture for a fish, but definitely great eating.
Hi Hank, what a great write! I’m a fan and I have a few of your books. I’m sorry I missed meeting you at Parrot Eyes on the morning of your fishing trip with Corey Mock! I meant to, but was running late and got there probably a minute before you guys left. I’ve known Corey since he was just a fingerling, his mom and dad, Capt Skipper Mock and I were great friends. I’ve also known Mike Ortiz and his family for many years as well. Keep up the good work and hope to meet you the next time around….andy davila
Great read!
Great read!