The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:
Because the shortnose gar occurs in many of the same areas (specifically the fertile Mississippi drainage system) as the alligator gar, the spotted gar, and the longnose gar, identifying it involves a process of elimination. It isnt what it is unique for, but rather what the other species have that sets them apart. The alligator gar has two rows of teeth in the upper jaw, while all other gars have only one row. The spotted gar and its close relative the Florida gar have spots on top of the head, over the entire body, and on all the fins. The spots on other gars are confined mainly to the rear portion of the bodies and on the fins, never on the head. The longnose gar is distinguished by its beak or snout which is 18-20 times as long as is at its narrowest point, a considerable greater length to width ratio than in other species. The beak of the shortnose gar is only about 5 1/2 times as long as its narrowest width.