CTFishTalk.com: Gar Cruising the Surface - Connecticut Saltwater ( CT Saltwater ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

Friday while I was into snappers at Seaside Park I saw a gar cruising the surface occasionally taking minnows. It looked to be anywhere from 10 to 14" long.

How often do you find certain types of gars in the western Sound along deep shorelines this time of year?

fishingkid · Joined: 04 May 2011 Posts: 340

I think I caught one at the reef last year. It was a green/brown, had a snout and some teeth. It was <10" long. Weird catch.

SaltyVeins · Joined: 09 Jul 2012 Posts: 83

I've seen tons of needlefish-looking things in the Groton area, usually during August. Brown/green long and skinny. About a foot long. They dart around on the surface. Never managed to catch one but they sometimes go after the little kastmasters I use for snappers. Not sure if it's the same thing you're seeing.

Also scooped this guy up in a net earlier this summer. Much bigger and more silvery than the other things I've seen. Atlantic needlefish maybe? Small houndfish? (sorry the pic isn't very good - taken with my crappy cell phone cam)

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

I thought it was a gar but could have also been a needlefish. The color through the water looked something like a olive green or greenish brown on the back with a lighter or paler middle and bottom.

The movement it was making while grabbing silversides was similar to seeing a chain pickerel quickly turning its head and grabbing your suspended lure.

Tyler290 · Joined: 17 Sep 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Fairfield, CT

You had me very concerned there for a second, I was like gar. in LIS.. wtf! lol I think what your talking about is what we call down in FL a houndy. or houndfish. Very long lookin fish with a nasty little set of jaws.

fishfinder · Joined: 19 Jun 2011 Posts: 1672 Location: Naugatuck, Ct.

Yeah, you saw a needlefish. gar are not around here at all!
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knowfish · Joined: 06 Jun 2011 Posts: 123 Location: Meriden

Gar are found in southern waters and I believe they only live in fresh water.

Redneckangler · Joined: 05 May 2012 Posts: 851 Location: Meriden, CT

Striper bait, thus the needlefish plugs.
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SaltyVeins · Joined: 09 Jul 2012 Posts: 83

I wondered about that Redneckangler. I'm not convinced stripers go after needlefish plugs because they eat needlefish, or if it's because they like eels and sandeels which the plug can imitate.

JustinSolak · Joined: 17 Jul 2011 Posts: 245 Location: East Hartford, CT

I see needlefish come a foot or two out or water trying to evade stripers at the potter's pond breachway, and a needlefish plug can be the most effective one in my bag when i see that. So yea, with needlefish also cruising along the top, especially at night, the stripers definitely do key in on em
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SaltyVeins · Joined: 09 Jul 2012 Posts: 83

good to know