Used to catch them on the Brazos as a kid. Steel leader with 6-10” frayed nylon rope. Some came in like a waterlogged branch, some fought like a marlin.
Sure it wasn’t needle-nose gar? I have fished for them in the Brazos, as well. Took a Sawzall and ran it down the back, pulled out the backstraps and sautéed them in butter. Tastes like lobster.