Redneck Lobster

[futuresoptions]

I usually cook alligator gar wrapped in foil with garlic, butter, salt, pepper, onion, tomato and cilantro on the grill or I will saute it in butter like shrimp scampi on the stove. I was fishing the other day and spoke with an gentleman that told me a recipe for the gar that would make it taste like lobster. I took the info to heart and when it came to cooking my wife's recent catch I followed his recipe. I basically took the gar and boiled it in crab boil and then served it with melted butter. Now originally he had told me to steam the meat and not to boil it, but I had so much to cook I decided to boil. The verdict was that since I boiled versus steaming, that the meat got a little soft (think crab meat) but tasted just like crab meat. Thinking back on steaming it, I believe it would of had more of a lobster like texture. The only thing the meat was missing was that little bit of sweet after taste that crab or lobster will have. This will be remedied next time by me adding just a hint of sugar to my water.

[futuresoptions]

[masraum]

Interesting. I LOVE crab. I usually don't like the texture of Lobster, but I had some back in Aug in FL that was REALLY good. It was much more tender and less chewy than what I've usually tried.

[KFC911]

The thought of even taking one of those disgusting things home has never even crossed my mind (much like carp), and I've caught a bunch down in FL. I do release 99.9% of the fish I catch though .

[futuresoptions]

Originally Posted by masraum

Interesting. I LOVE crab. I usually don't like the texture of Lobster, but I had some back in Aug in FL that was REALLY good. It was much more tender and less chewy than what I've usually tried.

Yep, most lobster you find is over cooked.

[vash]

i've heard gar was delicious. you get big slabs of boneless meat.

i understand some veterans use tin snips to cut thru the scales.

how do you catch one? big lures with hooks, or you tangle up the teeth?

i would love to bowfish one someday.

[krystar]

REALLY.....cause i LOVE the texture and taste of crab. unfortunately, after developing a love for it, I discovered I was allergic to it. could this be my allergy safe crab alternative?

is there anywhere in midwest i would be able to acquire gar?

[futuresoptions]

Originally Posted by KC911

The thought of even taking one of those disgusting things home has never even crossed my mind (much like carp), and I've caught a bunch down in FL. I do release 99.9% of the fish I catch though .

I have to agree with you on the carp. My mother caught one once and I prepared it for her. While it tasted good, there was a little "off taste" that I was not fond of. The alligator gar on the other hand, I believe would change your mind. Fresh gar has no fishy flavor and is very lean and flaky white meat. Gar that I have purchased at the seafood market has always had a strong fishy flavor to it. I have not experienced this with a fresh catch. I would compare the gar texture and flavor to black drum.

[futuresoptions]

Originally Posted by vash

i've heard gar was delicious. you get big slabs of boneless meat.

i understand some veterans use tin snips to cut thru the scales.

how do you catch one? big lures with hooks, or you tangle up the teeth?

i would love to bowfish one someday.

Tons of meat... On bigger gar they sometimes use a hatchet or machete. I used a hammer and a stiff knife on this one...

I am catching them now on a float with a steel leader, treble hook with a whole large shad. I have heard they will also hit on perch and carp.

I am interested in bowfishing them as well. It is very difficult to catch them using a pole because their mouths are so tough to hook.

[futuresoptions]

Originally Posted by krystar

REALLY.....cause i LOVE the texture and taste of crab. unfortunately, after developing a love for it, I discovered I was allergic to it. could this be my allergy safe crab alternative?

is there anywhere in midwest i would be able to acquire gar?

Would most definitely be a safe alternative to crab. It taste more like crab meat when prepared like I stated in my original post than what the fake crab you by at the store does. Also with allergies, you have to be careful with the fake crab because it generally has a portion of the meat that is actually added to the product. Make sure you check your ingredients before purchasing. I am not sure if you have gar in your area, you may have to purchase it in a seafood market.

[id10t]

Be aware that the alligator gar is a protected species in some states...