Fish: LongNose Gar
Size: 3 feet and about 5 lbs or so
Lure: Aglia & Dressed Aglia
Size: Out of the Basser Kit
Color: Purple
Angler: Patrick Cappel
From: Cincinnati
Country: United States
It was a beautiful Sunday morning, and I was fishing the Great Miami River with my 10-year-old son, Clark. The bite had been slow, and we hadn't had much luck. I was casting a purple Mepps Aglia from the Basser Kit, using an ultra-light rod and reel. My target was the riffles bordering the slack water, hoping something would strike.
Suddenly, my lure stopped dead. At first, I thought I'd snagged a rock or submerged branch-but then the line began to move, first to the left, then to the right. That's when I saw it: a long, silvery body breaking the surface. I had hooked my first gar!
The fish fought hard, thrashing and twisting, but I managed to bring it close to shore. Clark rushed over to help me net it. Just as he stepped in, the gar lunged like a coiled snake, snapping at his leg with razor-sharp teeth. Thankfully, it was just a minor abrasion, and Clark was perfectly fine.
Now, we've got one of those unforgettable fish stories-complete with a wild catch, a close call, and a memory we'll be telling for years to come.
Caught at: Great Miami River
State: Ohio
Country: United States
Caught On: Sunday August 10, 2025
