Spotted gars are ambush predators, eating mainly crayfish (47% of diet in one study). They forage at night under the cover of floating logs or vegetation. Spotted gar also eat other species of fish including sunfish, gizzard shad, crappies, bass, catfish, and shiners.

What kind of food do gar eat?

Adult alligator gars primarily prey on fish, but they are opportunistic feeders who also eat blue crabs, small turtles, waterfowl or other birds, and small mammals.

What kind of bait do gar eat?

Cast Nets for Bait

Carp and Buffalo are the main bait of choice for the gar but occasionally we will use freshwater drum. Carp are hands down the best bait for alligator gar, but they must be kept fresh. Anglers should treat bait used to catch alligator gar just like they were going to eat it.