Lady Luck and the Ocean GarLady Luck and the Ocean Gar

There were fewer balls of bait than normal this time of year. It meant fewer fish overall. Dad as well as the other fisherman scoured the shoreline looking for bait, any bait. Every day this week he went out and came back with an empty tank of gas and little to no fish,

My mother decided she was going to take a break from her chores and head down to the waters edge  below our home and cast in a hook. She took a handful of the precious frozen sprat, a knife, hand line and a bucket and made her way down the path.

Carefully she placed the hook through the eye and again through the middle of the sprat. Swinging her arm she tossed the line out as far as she could. Keeping a close watch on the baited hook in the clear water she slowly pulled it back in.  Swinging her arm she tossed it out again. The sprat sparkled as the sun light bounced off its scales. Aquarium sized fish huddled around the bait and followed it as she slowly pulled it back in a second time. Tossing the line for a third time the baited hook plopped on the water surface. The little fish raced to it and repetitively pecked at the sprat. Unexpectedly a large ocean gar cruised by attracted by the small swarm of fish. Mom slowly pulled on the line drawing attention to the baited hook. The gar turned and followed the bait as she pulled and paused. Less than 10 feet from the rocks the gar decided to go for the bait. It’s fierce head shook as the hook set. Mom held tight on the hand line as he fought. At first it took a few yards of line then one inch at a time she worked it in. 

Keeping its sharp teeth away from her hands she hoisted the big heavy fish up onto the rocks where she stood. Amazed by the size of it she rejoiced in this unexpected catch.

Leaving the bucket behind she carried it with both hands held high so the tail did not drag on the ground.  This gar had to weigh thirty pounds or more.

When dad saw her with the ocean gar he thought for sure someone gave it to her and was surprised to find out she actually caught it on the shore line below the house.