I know what you mean about those gar being skinny and tough to hit.
I've only gotten a shot at one so far, and I got it, but it took 2 shots.
He was 3 feet long, but still not very thick.

I almost lost him too since I had one of those Sting-a-ree points with the really long folding barbs, and it was barely in far enough to hold him. He pulled off just as I was getting him over the edge of the boat, and I had to drop my bow so I could stuff his business end into the nose of the canoe to keep him from flipping out.