Aggressive gators: Have been fishing Florida in Spring past two years for LM bass south of Sarasota, small lakes and canals with success. Thinking of taking down 12' Al v hull this...

Anybass Loc: Pa.

Have been fishing Florida in Spring past two years for LM bass south of Sarasota, small lakes and canals with success. Thinking of taking down 12' Al v hull this coming year. Fishing off shore have encountered gators and until this past Spring, no big issues. However, last March had a monster, probably 12 foot vault completely out of the water into the weeds to grab what he thought was a fish at other end of my snagged senko. Was glad he wasn't around earlier when caught some nice, talk walkers. In a boat, I am not concerned but want to raise a question out there----has anyone fishing on any lakes or ponds while in a boat, ever encountered an aggressive gator and if so, some history.

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

My gator was no match. It had to swim and I ran on the water.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Never a gator. Crocodile once in Africa and I've avoided big lizards ever since. Even the small ones make me nervous. I'm guessing you could have some trouble during mating season with the big males and then later on if a mama is protecting her nest. I don't fish in places like that.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Seen a few gators in NC and never put foot in the water again. Even always cautious on the grab or the release. We are not at the top of the food chain when we are fishing.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Well, you fishermen of the Northern or Western states, you are fortunate to not have to deal with the big lizards. All along the Gulf coast, there is a high possibility of encountering a gator. In the breeding season, you can often hear a male giving out a call or roar! You always have the option of leaving that area and fishing someplace else. Just Sayin....RJS

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Anybass wrote:

Have been fishing Florida in Spring past two years... (show quote)

I know I don't feel comfortable in a 12 on gator free water. One capsize n alot of lost gear was enough for me. 👍👍

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

My parents used to spend Winters in FL, and my dad bass fished in a very small boat that I always compared to a buoyant bathtub. It even had a tiny gas powered outboard motor. He never had any mishaps, but shared quite a few close encounter gator stories with me that made what little hair I had on my head crouch down and run for cover. After several seasons of Southern experiences, my folks gave that up and decided to spend Winters at their home in Northern Michigan.

My sisters and I were very relieved! I think that spending time fishing amongst alligators would be dangerous unless you had a very reliable way of staying clear of them! A high powered rifle, or a "desert eagle" pistol on board might not be a bad idea, but I'm not sure if you could ever react in time if one caught you by surprise!

Please be safe out on those waters!

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

This might just be a fisherman's yarn, but I heard a report of a fisherman who was fishing and wading near Boliver Island and felt something tugging on his stringer of trout. He looked back and it was a gator about 5 or 6 feet long. Big enough to scare him and he released his catch to the gator! Did not want to contest it and have a tugging match. Just Sayin...RJS

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Robert J Samples wrote:

This might just be a fisherman's yarn, but I heard a report of a fisherman who was fishing and wading near Boliver Island and felt something tugging on his stringer of trout. He looked back and it was a gator about 5 or 6 feet long. Big enough to scare him and he released his catch to the gator! Did not want to contest it and have a tugging match. Just Sayin...RJS

If one is dumb enough to wade in alligator water with a stringer of fish hanging off him, he deserves a good scare.

agatemaggot Loc: iowa

Watch for nests during the season, most boats do NOT have enough clearance above the water to be Gator proof !
If a gator can climb 12 to 14 foot up a tree a bass boat isn't even a small challenge !

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

fishyaker wrote:

My parents used to spend Winters in FL, and my dad... (show quote)

.............
I'm thinking minimum length pistol grip 12 ga, with deer slugs. May not penetrate that thick hide, but it should back one down. Pump may be a bit slower than semi, but very reliable.
...............

justafishingguy Loc: Florida

I had a run with a gator just back in August. Was reeling in a bowfin in a creek that was just 10 feet wide, when I heard a splash. I looked over and a 5-6 foot gator was going for my fish. Well I made a run up the bank dragging the bowfin behind me. That son of a b***h lunged for the fish and by chance also got the strap on my backpack with all my tackle in it! Needless to say he swam off with both the bowfin and my backpack with about $150.00 of tackle. My stuff was never seen again. I had to put my fishing season on hold until I restocked tackle. I know the gator was just trying to get some easy food and not me but he still scared the crap out of me!!!!

Gary Northrop Loc: Richland WA

I was fishing in Africa's Zambesi river for tigerfish a few years back and it was
reported that a week before a large croc had taken a fisherman from the jetty
by where we had launched. I have never forgotten it!

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Gary Northrop wrote:

I was fishing in Africa's Zambesi river for tigerfish a few years back and it was
reported that a week before a large croc had taken a fisherman from the jetty
by where we had launched. I have never forgotten it!

A lot to be said for Kansas or Iowa fishing. A snapper only takes your fingers.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Truth be told, I would rather deal with southern alligators than Northern brown bears. I have done both. The sight of a gator does not put a pit in my stomach like a grizzly. Having guided in Katmai, I have had more than my share of pits in my stomach.