It wasn't fishing for alligator gar that has lead to its demise. It was them being considered a trash fish of no value and worse as a nuisance species. Whenever gar have been taken on trot lines or on rods and reels they have been typically killed rather than released live. Gar were not recognized as a sports fish or a food fish but as a predator that killed desirable species.

I know in Louisiana the meat is prepared into Gar balls, but if a Cajun cook cannot make it taste good it is probably beyond help. I do not know of anywhere else in the south gars are taken for food. There are movements afoot to promote the alligator as a freshwater sports fish. I view it was a southern musky, fresh water shark, something along those line.

I do believe this thread on bluegill has been completely hijacked.