Throughout the years, Rockstar Games has constantly outdone themselves with each new title. When talking about Rockstar Games, one of the foremost titles that come to mind is Red Dead Redemption 2 (besides the Grand Theft Auto franchise, of course). The vast open world of Red Dead Redemption 2 and its online mode, namely Red Dead Online, are known for giving gamers ample scope of exploration. Plus, players get the opportunity to perform various tasks as part of the Daily Challenges in Red Dead Online. One such task is to catch the Longnose Gar. In this article, I will tell you where to look for the Longnose Gar in RDR2.
What is the Longnose Gar❓
The Longnose Gar is a species of fish that players can find in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. These fishes are big yet thin. Longnose Gars are quite lengthy, and you can find them inhabiting the swamps.
After searching for the fish religiously, I found that their area of habitat is limited, comprising only select spots in the Lemoyne. I also noticed that they become increasingly active during overcast weather. Therefore, I suggest anyone on a hunt for a Longnose Gar to go during this time. Even the game tells that the chances of catching this fish increase when it rains.
In case you were unaware, there are two main types of Longnose Gar in the game – the regular Longnose Gar and its Legendary variation. Although the regular Longnose Gar is big enough, you would still consider it small when you see the Legendary one. Whereas the former weighs around 14 to 20 pounds, the latter weighs over 40 pounds and is 50+ inches long. Just look at the size difference!
Despite this, both these variants of Longnose Gar are big fishes. So, you may not be able to pull it out of the water on your first try, and your fishing line may break. At least, mine did two times before I was finally able to catch the bad boy. But, hey, luck might favor you; who knows?
Items Required for Fishing a Longnose Gar
Before going on a Longnose Gar hunt, make sure you have the following items:
- Swamp Lure (for the regular Longnose Gar)/Special Swamp Lure (for the Legendary Longnose Gar)
- Crawfish Bait
If you do not possess the necessary baits, visit the Bait and Tackle Shop in Lagras and purchase the swamp lure ($2.50), the special swamp lure ($20.00), and the crawfish bait ($0.25).
Additionally, accepting the ‘A Fisher of Fish’ side quest will give you extra bait that includes the Special Swamp Lure. Once you bag the necessary bait and lures, it is time to equip your fishing rod and go catch some Longnose Gar.
Where to Find a Longnose Gar in RDR2?
As I mentioned before, Longnose Gar is a fish that lives only in a limited region. It is impossible to spot this fish in a non-swampy area.
Both the regular and Legendary Longnose Gar live in Lemoyne. No other location in RDR2 other than in and around Bayou Nwa accommodates this fish.
While looking for the Longnose Gar, places such as the north of Bayou Nwa, north of Saint-Denis, the western part right before Kamassa River begins, and the south where the river ends, etc., are good locations.
But I think that your best bet would be to visit Lagras Lake. This place is ideal for your Longnose Gar hunt, as I have seen this fish here on numerous occasions.
However, the lake is home to dangerous crocodiles. Thus, you have to be cautious when you are around the lake. Never put your feet into the lake water. This would reduce the chances of a crocodile attack.
As for your trusty horse in Red Dead Redemption 2, I’d recommend keeping it far from the area. This will maintain a safe distance from the lake. Otherwise, crocodiles may attack your horse while you are busy fishing.
If, even after taking all the precautions, you end up attracting the crocodiles, annihilate them before drawing out your fishing rod.
How to Catch a Longnose Gar?
The Longnose Gar is a large and heavy fish. So, if you do not have any experience in hunting large fish beforehand, you may face some difficulties in catching them.
But provided that you know how to deal with such big boys, you should have no issues.
Utilize your Swamp Lure/Special Swamp Lure and Crawfish Bait and throw your line into the water. Once done, you have to be patient and wait for the fish to bite the bait.
Gradually reel in while occasionally flicking your line to entice the fish. Remember to tilt the left thumbstick down to keep your fishing rod upright even when the Longnose Gar struggles to get free. When the fish finally calms down, tilt the same thumbstick together with the clockwise rotation of the right thumbstick every 2-3 seconds.
I suggest you follow this technique only, as it ensures faster capture and keeps your line intact.
Sometimes, you may find yourself struggling to allure the Longnose Gar to bite your bait. If that is the case, you can press and hold the R2 or RT button for longer times to avoid spooking it away.
Needless to say, the Longnose Gar is a monster of a fish. Hence, I advise you to take it to the nearest post office situated in Saint-Denis as soon as you bag it.
Tips to Quickly Catch the Longnose Gar
Now, I will give you some tips that have helped me a lot in preparing myself for catching the Longnose Gar.
➡️ Learn the Proper Use of L2/LT and R2/RT
Picking up a fishing rod will not automatically fetch you a Longnose Gar. You must learn the basics of fishing first.
By pressing L2/LT, you will hold the rod using both your hands. Pressing R2/RT makes the line cast. Keep in mind that the longer you hold R2/RT, the longer the distance of the casting.
As you keep holding L2/LT, you can either use the right thumbstick to attract the fish or the R2/RT button to flick the rod.
When the fish bites the hook, you will feel a slight vibration in your controller. Once the fish stops struggling, tilt the left thumbstick while rotating the right thumbstick clockwise at 2 to 3-second intervals.
➡️ Peep the Notification
Red Dead Redemption 2 has a notification feature that notifies players whenever they arrive in the exact area for a fish they are searching for.
The top-left corner of the screen will display a pop-up notification alerting them that they are in a new legendary fish location.
Pay attention to it to understand whether you are in the right area or not. If no such notification appears, you need to change your location.
➡️ Watch Out for the Waves
Each time you are near the lake, keep your eyes glued to the water and see if you can witness any large waves. Such waves are indicative of something massive moving underwater.
Thus, carefully observe the wave, and when it ceases, cast your line precisely in the place where it stopped.
This can help you determine the right place for casting and increase your chances of bagging a Longnose Gar.
➡️ Be Patient
Hunting a Longnose Gar, especially the legendary one, is a time-consuming affair. You cannot just go to the intended area and hope to catch one in an instant.
After casting your line, you have to patiently wait for the fish to bite the hook. If you have been in a spot for a while, yet nothing happens, reposition yourself to a different spot.
No matter what you do, do not lose your patience.
Uses of the Longnose Gar in RDR2
The Longnose Gar has two primary uses. Here are those uses:
➡️ Meat
Once you catch a Longnose Gar, you can obtain the Gritty Fish Meat. For your info, the Gritty Fish Meat is good for preparation and consumption. Nonetheless, this meat is not suitable for lots of recipes. The only recipe you can prepare from it is the Gritty Fish Recipe, which does not need any extra ingredients. Just light the cooking fire, and you are good to go.
➡️ Selling for Money
You can also sell the fish in Saint-Denis for $2.50 and $3.13 in other places. This seems odd, as the Longnose Gar is a monster fish and packs a lot of meat. But there is nothing to do here. Hence, you have to settle with the price despite its absurdity.
Final Words
To conclude, the Longnose Gar is a fish found in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 that users can catch as part of their Daily Challenges in Red Dead Online. Besides acquiring the Gritty Fish Meat, you can also sell them in Saint-Denis or elsewhere.
In this guide, I explained where and how to catch the Longnose Gar in RDR2. Also, I shared a few tips that are bound to come in handy. All you need to do now is grab your fishing pole, get the necessary bait/lures, and put your fishing skills to the test. Good luck!
Now that you know about all possible Longnose locations in RDR2, there’s also another Legendary Animal that requires your attention – the Moose. So, check out all the Moose locations in Red Dead Redemption 2!
