I used to love gar fishing when I was a teenager in Florida but they can be difficult to hook due to their hard bony mouth. Here's the easiest way I know to catch them. Whip tie a piece of white nylon rope 3 to 4" long to a 1/0 hook and varnish the completed tie. After it dries, unravel the rope. Now cast this on spinning or fly gear. The unraveled rope tangles in the gar's teeth and they can't throw the lure. The hook itself is unnecessary for catching gar and you could cut it off but you may get a strike by bass or crappie and then you'll want that hook.