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The Alligator Gar ("Gator Gar"), Atractosteus spatula, is a primitive ray-finned fish. Unlike other Gars, the mature Alligator Gar possesses a dual row of large teeth in the upper jaw. Its name derives from the alligator-like appearance of these teeth along with the fish's elongated snout. The dorsal surface of the Alligator Gar is a brown or olive color, while the ventral surface tends to be lighter. Their scales are diamond-shaped and interlocking (ganoid) and are sometimes used by Native Americans for jewelry and arrow heads.
Along with its status as the largest species of Gar, the Alligator Gar is the largest exclusively freshwater fish found in North America, measuring 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3.0 m) and weighing at least 200 lb (91 kg) at maturity. The largest Alligator Gar caught by net was caught by Kenny Williams, from Vicksburg, Mississippi, in February 2011, and measured 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m) long, 327 lb (148 kg) in weight, and nearly 48 in (120 cm) around. The fish is believed to have been between 50 and 70 years old, wildlife officials said. Williams has donated the fish to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson where it will be on permanent display in the future. The current world record for the largest Alligator Gar caught on rod and reel is 279 lb (127 kg).[Note 1]The largest taken by bowfishing is 365 lb (166 kg). The fish is also known for its ability to survive outside the water, being able to last for up to two hours above the surface
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This series of caches is meant to be easy to find but hard to get to. They are mostly small to medium sized Lock and Lock type containers, tethered between waist and head height. There are a variety of dangers present including but not limited to snakes, hogs, monkeys, bears, poisonous plants, stinging insects, gators and quicksand. If you plan to do this series of caches, please be very careful.
You should always wear long pants and boots. Bring a sturdy stick. You'll need it for balance, testing the ground to make sure it's solid and poking it in front of you to make sure there is nothing living in the place where you are about to step. Also, please bring a traditional compass. GPSers loose satellites out here often and you may need a compass to keep your heading. If you have never gone after caches that were 4+ terrain, just because of bushwhacking, please don't do this series. I cannot overstate how challenging some of these are to get to.
The caches that are not 5T, you can access via on foot, from the steel bridge cache. The ones that are 5T, you will need a boat and the closes ramp is Gore's Landing.
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