First time canal fishing in Florida. How concerned should I be about alligators?
May 6, 2019 20:37:24 #
Just keep your eyes moving and looking. It's easy to get focused on a fish or a bird only to look down and see a six foot gator way to close. Hard to think they can blend in, but that can happen. I don't know if I was in danger, but it kind of rattles your concentration on fishing. And, yes it could be a cottonmouth or a big constrictor. They probably are more scared of us, but that just means they were plenty scared.
May 6, 2019 22:35:09 #
I fish the St John river all the time and gators are around but i agree they are more afraid of you. I have run at them with boat and they scoot. Be careful but don't overplay it
May 8, 2019 11:34:11 #
hhager23
Loc: Hatteras NC
Gator mating season, snakes, stay out of the brush and freshwater, stay alert - pretty much covers it.
May 8, 2019 14:05:23 #
fishrmans
Loc: Waushara Cnty Wisconsin and Port Charlotte Fl
Fishing for Oskar on one of the channels along Tamiami I set my chair on the edge of the canal all of a sudden this big head came up and I knew it belong to a pretty good size gator Probably a 10 or 11 Footer he just stayed there staring at me from about 3 feet away I wasn’t sure what the proper thing to do so I thought, I think I’ll just sit here every quietly and hope it goes away. after about three minutes he did go down again and I immediately got up and put the chair between me and the water. five minutes later he came up again but at least I felt a little more secure now behind the chair and standing up. A little scary for a few minuets. We did catch about 75 Oskar that day but I will never forget that big head.
May 8, 2019 16:45:23 #
I think that I would have left the area as soon as he went down the first time. Did you pee your pants? I sure would have. I had a similar situation on Jax Naval Base in Jacksonville Florida. The gator was on the other side of a small creek that I frequently fished. I had to crawl up to the small (but deep) hole in the creek. We saw each other at the same time. He ran for the hole and I thought he was after me. So, I peed myself as I turned and ran away.
May 8, 2019 21:21:11 #
Yes you are fine in a boat other than a kayak- I've had 15 footers come off the shore of Okeechobee and dive under the kayak and it felt like surfing a wave- not really what I had in mind. They never bothered me on shore but you DO have to be aware and careful- most especially dusk and dawn.
May 8, 2019 23:09:06 #
I watched some online stuff about big male gators mistaking a kayak for competition and going after it. Soon thereafter, I sold a new $3200 Hobie fishing kayak and took a $1000 loss.
May 9, 2019 13:22:59 #
fishrmans
Loc: Waushara Cnty Wisconsin and Port Charlotte Fl
No, I didn’t pee myself but sitting in a very low chair and having 2 bad knees and knowing I can not get up out of that chair fast enough, if he decides to come at me, is a bit unnerving. I guess I made the right decision by sitting very still. He did come up for a second look a few minuets later.
May 10, 2019 17:10:31 #
I've had a gator on Hilton Head Island follow a hooked bass and grab it as I slid it out of the water.
May 20, 2019 14:36:34 #
Don’t agitate them, especially if they are longer than your boat or if you’re in a canoe or kayak .
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