Rare South FL longnose gar

[Paulpro]

[shocked]never seen anything like it.15lb 49" I was really surprized thought it was a record fl gar.First ever reported this far south.
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[fishhead81]

Great catch,

I am curious as to where exactly this fish was caught. I am a graduate student at FIU and have been marking observations of this species south of Lake O. So far all the records have been in canals that range from Broward county to as far south as Homestead (one record which I hold). If you could provide any information on when and where this specimen was caught, it would be extremely helpful in my research.
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[Paulpro]

First of all thanks for choosing Paulpro as your first post.as far as I know, I have the record for the longnose caught this far south.Biologist told me the only other reported around here was in Boca,4 hours north of here,did you get yours on rod and reel?any pics,trust me you don't want to go to my spot unless you are fearless.This ramp,was closed many years ago due to people dumping said biologist,county could'nt afford to let people go there anymore.I seen boats set on fire there,also lots of dolls floating around, reall spooky place if you like that.I tell you how to find this place,but I warned you.[sly]I use small boat with trailor,my jon boat just fits under gate with trailor,I'm going todayits the L3 canal,go at your own risk,still suspicious activity till this day.I feel better once I'm in the water,I recommend you take some protection.I saw a beaver long time ago at this canal walking in the pine forrest.
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[fishhead81]

I am a graduate student at FIU studying fish community structure, and more specifically, the distribution of non-native fishes in the canals bordering Everglades National Park. We routinely sample for fish in these canals via an electrofishing boat. Last Oct, we caught a longnose gar measuring 118 cm TL out of the L31W canal during out regular sampling. The location of our catch is only about 4 miles north of the Park entrance to ENP in Florida City. I would be happy to send along a pic. Barron may not have been informed of this catch since we directly correspond with Kelly Gestring- who is the lead biologist and director for FWC's invasive fish lab.

Anyways, your catch interests me in that I am writing a small technical note in a scientific journal on our confirmed catch and will be including all of FWC's confirmed records those catches which have been captured south of its historic native range (including yours and would be happy to include your name in the acknowledgements in regards to your catch in the paper, with your approval of course to do so).

The L-30 canal where you caught yours is not part of our sampling sites but it’s interesting as to what else could be in them as well!!!

Great job, I could only have wished to catch that awesome fish on a rod and reel! Let me know if you would like to see the pic of ours and I would be happy to send it via email.
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[Paulpro]

Well, what I was tring to say is that I have the record for longnose caught on rod and reel,for the most southern location.Have you ever heard of anyone catching one on a rod further south than mine? Barron researched this himself.unless recently someone caught one further south?yours would not count as for rod and reel ,you had me worried for a sec,You would need permission,to enter canal.it has been locked for years by county. I tried "hookless lure" yesterday,I missed 2 fish? Tarpon are in there also,plus some "Lukanani"I got a bass and Mayancichlid on flyrod.kept 2, 2lbers,for dinner .I have no problem helping you on your research,You can use my name, please.I wiil keep you posted if I catch another RIVERMONSTER,thanks.P.S, my college at U.M. has great fishing,only students in Biology can fish it.I almost caught the Pacu at F.I.U., 3 live at the lake with the bridge.ended up taking me into some tree branches,on his last run,I took a scooby rod hidden under my shirt with only 4 lb test fireline,with steel leader,it was a long fight,he swam around the whole lake.can you name the fish in pic 4?you can send private mess,if you'd like.P.S You said you hold a record,is it the gar you were talking about, caught by electro fishing?just curios what was the weight?I find all this interesting.
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[BigMarty]

That's a helluva catch! Almost as good as your hat! How far south did you catch that monster? Somewhere in the keys?
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[Paulpro]

Yea,well I lost my Pelagic hat when I jumped overboard trying to save a rod that fell,I also jumped in with my rod ,hat ,and my Jerusalem sandles.But to answer your question,no,I was'nt that far south,homestead is even more southernl,but that other guy caught his electro fishing.I got mine Levi 3 canal,miami everglades,just behind Miccusukii gaming resort.along chrome ave.fish had eggs,I wonder if a male fertilized her or if they just develope eggs?
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