A gar is a unique critter. And so too, are gar guides. Guides that ply the waters for those lesser species, bass, trout, marlin, are as common as black flies. But an angler with the experience to put gar in the boat is a truly rare breed. In the years that GASS has existed, we have met few guides that we can officially endorse. We have found only these three that have the experience and conservationist attitude needed to be considered in among that rare breed, GASS Officially Endorsed Gar Guide.

     After a long hiatus without an Officially Endorsed Alligator Gar Guide, GASS is excited to have finally found a responsive and responsible Alligator Gar professional:  Kirkland's Guide Service. The rare combination of location and experience will most likely lead you to the gar of a lifetime with this guide.

       Fully supporting catch and release gar fishing is experienced gar guide Capt. Kirk Kirkland. Kirk fishes the storied waters of the Trinity River and Lake Livingston, but will go anywhere in Texas for monster alligator gar. He has over 15 years of experience fishing for 'gators; the last 10 being exclusively catch and release. As of this writing, Kirk can boast a 100% success rate; no client has gone home without a gar. Kirk also has experience guiding international anglers. To contact Capt. Kirk Kirkland, see the links below.

     Only one longnose angler has earned our official endorsement. The Jack-of-All-Trades, Jack Barnett guides for longnose gar on Atlanta’s Lake Lanier. Very much like the gar, Jack is a fascinating old-timer. A printer by trade, Jack uses his talent to produce beautiful, unique fish prints in the Japanese style of gyotaku. Jack has spent over 10 years developing his Jack’s Original Gar Lure. He provides the lures, tackle and knowledge needed for his clients, some from as far away as Germany, to land thrashing, monstrous longnose.

     For those who have the opportunity to travel far afield, Phillippe Tisseaux of San Carlos Sportfishing can lead you to massive Tropical Gar in wild and beautiful Costa Rica. Fishing Nicaragua Lake, the Rio Frio, Caño Negro, and the San Juan River, Phillipe averages five gar per outing. The exciting “by-catch” on these outings is often massive tarpon or snook. Gar are caught year round, but fishing seems to be best during the dry season, from January to June. The aggressive tropical gar are more than willing to smash a lure or race off with live bait.

      As of this update of September 2009, only these three professional anglers, have earned the rare title of GASS Endorsed Gar Guides. Use the contact information below to be your link to many memorable, unique, and rare gar outings.

GASS Officially Endorsed Gar Guides

Alligator Gar

Kirkland's Guide Service, Capt. Kirk Kirkland http://www.texasfishingguides.org/kirkland/

 

Longnose Gar

Jack Barnett, www.garmanjack.net

Tropical Gar

Philippe Tisseaux, www.nicaraguafishing.com