Alligator Gar On Rod & Reel

60% (5) Houston, TX 1 - 8 People 8 Hours From $700 Trip #2126


Guide:

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About Your Trip

Water Type

River, Lake

Skill Levels

Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Head out with Mike for an awesome day of freshwater Gar fishing! Alligator Gar are an ancient lineage of fish, and these freshwater predators certainly looks like dinosaurs! Mike is one of the best guides around to help you hook one. His success rate with these exciting monsters is as high as 90 percent, and he often hooks 100, 150 and 200lb+ Gar! On a typical trip, you'll land 6-8 Gar, and sometimes several more!...

About Your Trip

Head out with Mike for an awesome day of freshwater Gar fishing! Alligator Gar are an ancient lineage of fish, and these freshwater predators certainly looks like dinosaurs! Mike is one of the best guides around to help you hook one. His success rate with these exciting monsters is as high as 90 percent, and he often hooks 100, 150 and 200lb+ Gar!
On a typical trip, you'll land 6-8 Gar, and sometimes several more! This is definitely the best way to get your picture with a Texas-sized Alligator Gar!

Mike will motor you out onto the lake where you'll be using heavy tackle to hook these prehistoric fish. Mike grew up casting for Alligator Gar all over Texas, so he's sure to get you set up with the best gear. He knows so many spots that if it's happening in your current spot, he'll move you to the next one until the fish start biting! Hunts can be day, night or both.

All rod & reel packages include equipment (let Mike know if you are a lefty or righty) & fish cleaning. Mark will provide all the rods, reels, steel Lladers, bait, snacks and drinks for your trip. All you're required to bring is your Texas All-Water License. Mike's boat holds 8 comfortably, so make sure to bring some good company!
Amenities

Water Type

River, Lake

Skill Levels

Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 14 days before the trip.

Lunch

Lunch / light snacks are included.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Kid Friendly

This trip is best for adults.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

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Pricing Matrix

8 Hours
1 Person
$700.00
2 People
$700.00
3 People
$700.00
4 People
$800.00
5 People
$900.00
6 People
$1,000.00
7 People
$1,100.00
8 People
$1,200.00
Pay $500 as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.
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About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Mark

Mark M.

Independent Guide 14 years of exp.
Talkative
Intense
Beginner Oriented
Instructional
Adventurous
Quality
Captain Mark is one of the most experienced Alligator Gar fishing guides in the world, with over 35 years under his belt. He caught his first gar at just 11 years old while growing up in Houston, TX along Sims Bayou. A few years later, Captain Mark was introduced to bow fishing and discovered how exciting bow fishing could be, chasing Gar, Carp, Buffalo, Tilapia, Bullfrogs, and other species. The rest is history! Mark also...

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Mark

Mark M.

Independent Guide 14 years of exp.
Captain Mark is one of the most experienced Alligator Gar fishing guides in the world, with over 35 years under his belt. He caught his first gar at just 11 years old while growing up in Houston, TX along Sims Bayou.

A few years later, Captain Mark was introduced to bow fishing and discovered how exciting bow fishing could be, chasing Gar, Carp, Buffalo, Tilapia, Bullfrogs, and other species. The rest is history!

Mark also runs badass hog hunts with thermal scopes. Join him for a night of hunting that's extremely fun and benefits the local community by removing destructive hogs from the environment.
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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
565lb tiger shark
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
Hamburgers or steak

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
565lb tiger shark
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
Hamburgers or steak
Whats your favorite band?
Motley crue
Whats your favorite movie?
Tombstone,Goodfellows
Whats your favorite sports team?
Don't really have 1
Whats your drink of choice?
Dr.pepper
What was your last halloween costume?
Scarecrow, cowboy
What do you want for Christmas this year?
I don't know
How did you get started guiding?
Did it for fun and turned into a job
What makes you different from other guides?
Lots/decades of experience
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Start Location & Lodging Options

Your guide can be flexible with your start location.
You can work with your guide after booking to set a more specific start location in the area.
Houston, Texas
Areas Fished
  • Trinity River
  • Choke Canyon Reservoir
  • Nueces River
  • Frio River
  • Falcon International Reservoir
  • Bay City Lake
  • San Jacinto River

About Your Boat

Boat photo for Alligator Gar on Rod & Reel
Boat photo for Alligator Gar on Rod & Reel
Boat photo for Alligator Gar on Rod & Reel
Boat Type
Airboat
Boat Length
23'
Engine Manufacturer
Big Block
Total Horsepower
750

About Your Boat

Boat Type
Airboat
Boat Length
23'
Engine Manufacturer
Big Block
Total Horsepower
750
Number of Engines
1
Additional Amenities
Trolling motor
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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

River, Lake

Skill Levels

Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 14 days before the trip.

Lunch

Lunch / light snacks are included.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Kid Friendly

This trip is best for adults.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .
View Full Species Seasonality Chart »
  • Get it while it's HOT!
  • This species is in play.
  • You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
  • Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

  • Heavy Tackle Fishing

Everything Else to Know

Mark usually has 3-4 lines in the water at all times, but if you wish to bring your own gear: Heavy weight Rod, High quality reel, 65-100 lb braided line (atleast 300 yards), 90-120 lb braided wire leader, ~4 ft long (He will bring plenty of these), 3/0 Trebel Hooks (He will bring plenty of these). Plenty of rods, high quality reels, steel leaders, necessary tackle, cut bait, snacks and drinks of your choosing included.
You'll need to buy a fishing license before getting out there. Find out more about licenses here.
We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).
Cancel for free up to 14 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 14 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.
In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

Reviews

3.8
based on 5 reviews

Jason

Verified Review

November 23

Very satisfied with the trip we did with Mark. He was very knowledge and worked hard to get us in the fish. Very personable with a great attitude, and the supplied gear worked great. Would not hesitate to book with him again!!!

Jason

Verified Review

November 23

Very satisfied with the trip we did with Mark. He was very knowledge and worked hard to get us in the fish. Very personable with a great attitude, and the supplied gear worked great. Would not hesitate to book with him again!!!
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Trip: 4-Hour Bowfishing Trip

Kale

Verified Review

April 15

Mark is the outfitter every serious bowfisher wants. He won’t quit until he puts you on fish. Very very knowledgeable and a trip that we will never forget! We will be back!

Kale

Verified Review

April 15

Mark is the outfitter every serious bowfisher wants. He won’t quit until he puts you on fish. Very very knowledgeable and a trip that we will never forget! We will be back!
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Trip: Trophy Alligator Gar Bowfishing

Austin

Verified Review

May 21

To start, we booked the hunt with Mark and never met him. We went out with another person unbeknownst to us. When we got to the hunt we were told that we only had 3 guns to use, yet there were 5 of us on the hunt. There was only enough room for 3 people in the truck so 2 of us had to ride in the bed of the truck. We were told...

Austin

Verified Review

May 21

To start, we booked the hunt with Mark and never met him. We went out with another person unbeknownst to us. When we got to the hunt we were told that we only had 3 guns to use, yet there were 5 of us on the hunt. There was only enough room for 3 people in the truck so 2 of us had to ride in the bed of the truck. We were told many excuses as to why we aren't seeing any hogs. We didn't see hogs till the last hour or hour and a half and only got to shoot at 2 groups. Then the hunt was over. We did shoot pigs but it was not what I expected for the money that we paid for the hunt. The guides, I don't feel were as professional as they should have been. As an avid hunter who has hunted many species in many states, I would not recommend this to anyone who is any sort of hunter. Overall, we did shoot pigs but everyone on the hunt was disappointed and feels cheated or scammed.
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Trip: Thermal Scope Hog Hunt

Response from Captain Experiences:
Hi Austin, thank you for this feedback. I'm sorry the trip did not live up to your expectations. Please give us a call so that we can collect some more information here. We will reach out to Mark to understand why there was not enough room and gear for your entire party. We'd also like to extend an offer code to you that can be applied to any of our trips around the world in...

Response from Captain Experiences:

Hi Austin, thank you for this feedback. I'm sorry the trip did not live up to your expectations. Please give us a call so that we can collect some more information here. We will reach out to Mark to understand why there was not enough room and gear for your entire party. We'd also like to extend an offer code to you that can be applied to any of our trips around the world in hopes that you will give Captain Experiences another shot.
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Leah

Verified Review

September 1

For sure was not the trip of a lifetime nor worth all the money and extra expenses, didn’t end up shooting any hogs or seeing anything the first night nor did we get to even get to hunt hogs for the second night like planned due to weather however did have very friendly, accommodating and respectable guides all around.

Leah

Verified Review

September 1

For sure was not the trip of a lifetime nor worth all the money and extra expenses, didn’t end up shooting any hogs or seeing anything the first night nor did we get to even get to hunt hogs for the second night like planned due to weather however did have very friendly, accommodating and respectable guides all around.
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Trip: "Alpha" Alligator Gar Bowfishing

Response from Captain Experiences:
Hey Leah, thanks for sharing your feedback. We're sorry to hear that the hunt didn’t live up to your expectations, especially with the weather cutting your trip short. Unfortunately, weather conditions can sometimes interfere with plans, but we're glad to hear the guides were friendly and accommodating throughout. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and will work with the team to ensure better communication in these situations. If you give us another chance,...

Response from Captain Experiences:

Hey Leah, thanks for sharing your feedback. We're sorry to hear that the hunt didn’t live up to your expectations, especially with the weather cutting your trip short. Unfortunately, weather conditions can sometimes interfere with plans, but we're glad to hear the guides were friendly and accommodating throughout.
We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and will work with the team to ensure better communication in these situations. If you give us another chance, we’d love to help set up a trip that delivers and have issued a discount in that vein.
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Kale

Verified Review

April 14

It was EPIC. Mark is this man!

Kale

Verified Review

April 14

It was EPIC. Mark is this man!
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Trip: Saltwater Bowfishing Adventure

First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to 1,600+ quality, vetted fishing and hunting guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.
We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.
Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!
In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.
Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, bait, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.
After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.