Cooking Alligator and Long-nose Gar

[Dsparil]

can they be grilled just like any other fish? I know that "Gar balls" are rather popular right now, but I'm looking at the idea of just grilling or smoking gar just plainly then adding some lemon butter sauce to it. I understand it's can be chewy like crab meat, but that's fine in my book.

 

[TXARGUY]

Gar balls are popular because of the many bones in the fish. The meat usually gets pretty jacked up looking during the bone removal process.

 

[itchin]

You'd probably be better off deep fryin it like carp.

 

[Dsparil]

The many bones? I watched a video of a guy cleaning a rather large one and he recommended running a filet blade across the back of the ribs. He just coiled the meat up afterwards on a plate.

How to Clean and Filet Alligator Gar - YouTube

 

[40Arpent]

Gar balls are popular because of the many bones in the fish.

Gar balls are popular because the meat is relatively tough. If you fillet a gar the right way, there are no bones to contend with. It's much like cutting the backstraps from a deer.

 

[40Arpent]

can they be grilled just like any other fish?

Yes.

"Gar balls" are rather popular right now

Right now? I am 47 years old and they were popular long before I was born....then again, that was deep south Louisiana.

 

[shortround]

Damn those fishes!

 

[pafree]

when grilling gar, can you leave the scale side on? this is what we do for the bull reds and keep cooking/grilling scale side towards the fire and brushing on a butter,garlic and Worcestershire sauce mix til it starts to flake.

 

[Dsparil]

scale needs tocome off I know that.

 

[Dsparil]

Do Alligator Gar have pin bones like you'd find in a largemouth bass (and yeah obviously bigger) that need to be removed or is the rib cage it?

 

[stdreb27]

Most people soak the meat in milk or other anti-game flavor techniques. It's a pretty strong meat.

 

[ROGER4314]

The Oklahoma recipe for baked Carp may work. Put the fish on a flat board and cover it with spices and herbs. Cook at medium heat. When done, throw away the fish and eat the board.

Flash

 

[Dcav]

The Oklahoma recipe for baked Carp may work. Put the fish on a flat board and cover it with spices and herbs. Cook at medium heat. When done, throw away the fish and eat the board.

Flash

Now that right there was hilarious lol

 

[Dsparil]

Anyone know about the pin bones?

 

[40Arpent]

Anyone know about the pin bones?

I never had an issue with using the "backstrap" fillet method described, but then again I have never had that problem with largemouth bass either.

 

[an0nym0us]

the oklahoma recipe for baked carp may work. Put the fish on a flat board and cover it with spices and herbs. Cook at medium heat. When done, throw away the fish and eat the board.

Flash

rofl

 

[subseashooter]

The Oklahoma recipe for baked Carp may work. Put the fish on a flat board and cover it with spices and herbs. Cook at medium heat. When done, throw away the fish and eat the board.

Flash

BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Still blowing snot bubbles!!!