Alligators And Kayaks

[FishingMastah1]

Looking at kayaks, but something I am concerned about are alligators attacking the kayak. I know that people and experts say that alligators are typically non aggressive towards humans and they usually run away as opposed to attacking, but usually is not very comforting. Being in a kayak, there is really nothing to stop an alligator from being able to grab you. 

 

Biggest thing I am concerned about is an alligator jumping out of the water and ambushing. I know that this is not common, but it must happen sometimes. Probably, if I am concerned about this, a kayak is not the right vessel for me. I'd like to hear peoples opinions on alligator ambushes and kayaks.

[FishingMastah1]

That guy got so flippen lucky, and that is exactly what I am worried about happening. I will not be buying a kayak, LoL.

[ClackerBuzz]

just make sure you take advantage of the affordable care act before hand.

[Hi Salenity]

Lol

[aceman387]

I think the language he used during the alligator encounter was justified   I wonder if he had to wash out the inside of his kayak when he got back home

[MacP]

That video reminds me of working on cars with my dad.  He invented new strings of curses when something broke or went wrong.  Hah.

 

"F- me naked" was a favorite of mine.

[FishingMastah1]

just make sure you take advantage of the affordable care act before hand.

I don't think that does any good if you are digesting in an alligators stomach.

[MCS]

That guy got so flippen lucky, and that is exactly what I am worried about happening. I will not be buying a kayak, LoL.

 

I believe the whole story about that is the guy was kayaking with his dog, a little yorkie, on his lap. The Gator was trying to get lunch not the guy or the kayak. With out a reason they really won't attack. Now IMO it is more dangerous to shore fish because if you unknowingly come up on a momma gator gaurding young or a nest your in a heap of trouble.

 

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/news/gator-attacks-fisherman-kayak

[FishingMastah1]

in my opinion, finding yourself in the jaws of a gator or croc would be one of the worst ways to meet ones demise...i'd feel fairly comfortable in a bass raider type vessel...but noway in hell would i in a yak being so low to the water, really no safety zone inbetween me & the water/gator with practically looking them in the eyes...

This. I'm thinking of buying a jon boat and bolting some plywood to the side.

[flyfisher]

I don't fish in gator infested waters but i have also never heard or read of a person dying from an alligator attack in a kayak either.

 

Honestly it seems like you are being a little extreme with the whole thing.  Bolting plywood to a jon boat just seems crazy to me to prevent an attack that your percentages are probably better to get struck by lightning.

 

personally if i was as worried as you are I would get a gun and be done with it.

 

And every time i watch that video it cracks sme up but i guess the lesson or lessons to be learned are 1-don't kayak with a dog that a gator can eat and B-don't get a dog that can be gator bait.

[Khong]

There is nothing wrong with kayak fishing.  Wrong are only done when you are not aware of your situation and you putting yourself in harms way.  Like some of the guys said, "Don't fish in an infested gator lake or pond."  Watch out for dead lumber that has hornets.   Watch out for waves or you may get tipped over.  The list go on and on....

 

Make sure where you are fishing, you can call for help!  Don't get caught in a dead zone because you're the only one there.

[martintheduck]

Louisianan former Yak fisherman checking in ----

 

First off - love that profile picture!

 

Second...

 

Fished alligator inhabited waters constantly. Had plenty of gators chase my top water frogs right up to the boat and when they get kind of close, they just sit there then swim away. Did many school projects on gators growing up and looked into everything again before getting into the water.... only time you need to really be worried is mating season and around their nests. A mama gator will murder you if you encroach on her nest. I've accidentally gotten pretty close to some HUGE gators in Black Bayou (at least 12 feet and FAT FAT FAT) and I about pooped myself. Hurriedly paddled away and nothing bad came of it. 

 

If you're really worried about gators, get a big ole bowie knife and strap it to your leg. I can't imagine gators being a big problem for anyone except those in South Louisiana Swamps and Florida.

[JDFishing]

Having lived in Florida and fished all over the country I can tell you alligators are more afraid of you than you are of them. You have to remember, they eat squirrels, turtles, fish and in some area nutra rats. Not humans. When in a boat and/or kayak we look a lot bigger to them and bigger wins in the wild.

I've seen Florida anglers fish in waders in the Everglades and when a curious gator got to close they simply smacked em on the nose with their rod tip and the gator split. Not saying I'd recommend you chase down gators and smack them up but those that grew up around them are generally not intimidated by them either.

Last year after a full practice day on Kissimmee in central Florida, I was loading my boat at dark when I saw a guy breaking down his float tube. I asked if he was just out there fishing and he said "everyday". I had to check and make sure he didn't have prosthetic legs! This float tube was literally that, his legs were on the bottom and he used flippers to move around. He told me at times the gators get curious but he goes his way and they go theirs. Respectable but still I wouldn't mess around. A kayak though, all day everyday!

Just be smart but scared is never good either! It's fishing, if you aren't enjoying yourself what's the point?

[aceman387]

Nice post JD !

[Josh L]

I would have to agree completely with JD. I'm brand new to this forum, but as a kayak fisherman in central Fl, I figured I should chime in here. Although some people think it's dangerous, I have never had a problem with gators. I often fish from a kayak on secluded ponds and small lakes and from the bank at a couple areas known for having gators. And yes, I have also waded in on many occasions. I have a healthy respect for gators but I also know that it is not necessarily dangerous to fish with them. To be sure, I steer away from a gator when I see one. But they're not out on a hunt for you. However, they will often try to steal your fish so, so if you see one close by, reel in quickly. Seriously, without disturbance in the water, they aren't even interested.  Get to know gators like you know the bass, know the waters you are fishing, and use good judgment and you should be fine.

[aceman387]

Welcome to the site Josh !    nice post!

[CayMar]

My buddy and I float down the Chattahoochee a few times a year. Probably like ten to fifteen miles. We will usually come across at least 5 gators on the trip. I usually keep my distance, but my buddy antagonizes the crap out of them. Throwing top water lures at them and such. The alligators are usually around ten feet but they act like they want no part of dealing with us. They go under and disappear every time, we have never been confronted by one. I was scared at first, but like others have said keep your eyes open for them and keep your space and you will be fine. On another note we were kayaking in a river about 40 wide recently and as we came around a curve a gator that I can only describe as a living dinosaur came into the water. It was probably 12 feet long and looked older than me. The gator antagonizer didn't want to play with this guy. We got out of dodge as fast as possible. Sometimes you gotta know when to fold em.

[Lil'Gunner]

Gators are timid of humans. The fear is overhyped. I've swam for years in, and spent many hours fishing in gator waters from a float tube (legs in the water). Never a problem. I've had them eyeball me from a distance, but never approach. 

 

I take heed about nests - stay away. And I try not to be sloshing hard in the dark where I could be mistaken for something. But heck, the drive to the lake is way, way more dangerous, and I just don't worry about it. So many fates, so little time. 

[Phil_M]

Lake Kissimmee, which has large gators that will take your breath away:  the state park there rents kayaks.

 

I'm really not trying to sound crusty, but here it goes:

 

I have lived in Florida all of my life (except for two tours in the Navy).  I swam in lakes as a kid, had a classmate get mauled by a gator in college, and currently kayak and boat in waters that hold very large gators.  I have been hissed at, growled at, etc.

 

JD's advice is right on. 

 

I only know of one gator "attack" on a kayak (other than the recent video of the gator going after the dog).  http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=20020204&id=HL8wAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pP0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6384,4381127  You be the judge.

 

Paddle-craft are very stealthy and you can unintentionally sneak up or worse, on top of, a submerged/rising gator.  When this happens the gator will cause a ruckus (read "water explosion").  I have had this happen next to me while canoe fishing and I know of at least one instance where a kayaker was blown off his boat.  This happens more often with the "gentle" manatee.  None were attacks, just a freaked out large animal trying to get away.

 

There has also been the occasional deliberate gator bump to a kayak which is probably a warning shot.  I have heard of at least 3 occurences of this.

 

When folks ask me about kayaking and gators, I always ask, "Do bears keep you from hiking and camping?"   No, because your knowledge and respect gives you confidence that you will be safe. 

 

When a gator sees you and submerges, this is passive behavior.  However, if he raises his back and tail high, this is a challenge.  In response, I turn my kayak parallel to him and show him my 16 feet of orange "what the hell is that???!!" kayak and that usually makes them submerge...if they don't, I find somewhere else to fish.   When this happens, I watch to see why the gator wanted me out.  It has been due to baby gators in the area that I did not see, I was in his hunting grounds, or I was in his path as he was going from point A to point B.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Phil

[FD.]

The only one that ever made me nervous.  He lives in the Stick Marsh and even in a 21 ft Stratos I let him have the spot.  He was most likely just chasing the fish I was catching on every cast.

 

 

We hit Lake Lowry in Yaks during the summer and never had a problem.

[AK-Jax86]

For the most part, they are stand offish and will likely not be aggressive towards you.  However, here are some pieces of advice.....

 

1. Know your area's prime mating season and nursing season for alligators.

2. If possible, scout the area in a power boat or jon boat first.

3. If not, try to scout the area in winter or times of the year where you can see alligator nests more clearly.

4. Ask some of the locals on the kayak specific forums for your area.

5. Know the signs of an aggressive alligator - listen and watch.  Alligators will emit a sonic vibration that you can both hear and see.  The water will actually dance off of their skin!

6. Always paddle in groups or at least pairs

7. Avoid paddling at night without sufficient lighting (reflections of their eyes)

8. If you do paddle, go slowly and keep your eyes and ears peeled.

9. Some folks I know that paddle in the bayou areas of LA up to NC carry some form of armed defense (your choice may vary)

 

Hope this helps ease some of your concerns/fears, but even with all that preparation you still could be caught off guard........

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMGZr1pT3JA

 

 

WHAAAAAAAT!!!!!