I never thought of it but the gar does kind of remind me of a pike. It's got some wicked teeth too. I tried the shallows last saturday but still didn't find them. I talked a lady that lives right by the dam and she did catch a 10 pounder there last week at night. I am going to try by the dam next time I go plus another shallow area that I know of. She said she caught the cat at night so I am hoping to do a little nite fishing soon too. I am thinking the same as you, find the bluegills and baitfish and I'll find the cats. So far, I'm still looking.