Snakes Climb In The Boat

[southernson1989]

Here's the deal. I've been fishing all my life same as the rest of my family. I was talking to a herpetologist who hangs out at a local book store and he doesnt believe me that a snake especially a water moccasin will climb in the boat when your fishing. It happened to pawpaw twice decades ago. I've personally had a water snake try it when fishing flooded grass 10 years ago on the fourth of july. I tried to outrun him with my troller motor but butterflies routinely pass me so that didn't work and a girl in the boat was freaking and nearly tipped us so I tapped it with my weedless worm. Somehow I hooked it and the paddle had to be used. Anyone have any video of a snake especially a moccasin climbing into the boat while fishing?

[RoLo]

It's highly unlikely for a snake to scale the side of a hull, but there are 3 ways they can gain access to a boat:

>> By climbing up an oar resting in the water (happened to me once)

>> By climbing up the motor shaft

>> By falling from an overhead tree (happened to me twice)

 

The main thing to remember is that a snake doesn't enter our boat because of you or I, but in spite of you or I (they're dumb).

Some snakes are toxic, but none of them are especially aggressive.

I have little fear of snakes but for my wife's sake, I get them back in the lake as soon as possible 

Harming any snake is not on my agenda.

 

Roger

[gardnerjigman]

It's highly unlikely for a snake to scale the side of a hull, where the 3 most likely ways to gain access is

by climbing up an oar resting in the water, by climbing the motor shaft or by falling out of a tree (the most common).

The main thing to remember is that a snake will enter a boat not because of you or I, but in spite of you or I (they're dumb).

Though some are very toxic, none are especially aggressive. I have very little fear of snakes,

but for my wife's sake, I get them back in the lake as soon as possible 

 

Roger

 

 

The only good snake is a dead snake, and even those creep me out. I've been that way since I was a little kid. My body is moving before my brain even realizes what is going on. My wife and kids know to not get between me and the exit if there is a snake. 

 

Seriously... I'm so bad about snakes, that when I'm driving and see one crossing the road, I lift my feet up (inside the freaking car) as I hit it. Dead serious....

[RoLo]

The only good snake is a dead snake, and even those creep me out. I've been that way since I was a little kid. My body is moving before my brain even realizes what is going on. My wife and kids know to not get between me and the exit if there is a snake. 

 

Seriously... I'm so bad about snakes, that when I'm driving and see one crossing the road, I lift my feet up (inside the freaking car) as I hit it. Dead serious....

 

You're not alone, more than once I've heard girly shreaks coming from the mouths of adult men.

They sounded like grade school cheerleaders, but looked like 250 pounds fleeing from 7 ounces   

 

Thanks to tolerant parents, I've had several pet snakes as a teenager (today, I regularly see snakes in our backyard)

You soon lose any unfounded fear you might have of snakes, and begin to understand their very simplistic existence.

(They don't bother me, I don't bother them)

 

Roger

[blackmax135]

 

 

Seriously... I'm so bad about snakes, that when I'm driving and see one crossing the road, I lift my feet up (inside the freaking car) as I hit it. Dead serious....

That is to funny!!!!

Don't feel bad, last time I saw a snake by our back steps I freaked out started screaming for my mom SNAKEEEEEEEEE!!!

You would have thought we spotted an anaconda back there the way me and my family was running around for the gun. lol

[blackmax135]

Here's the deal. I've been fishing all my life same as the rest of my family. I was talking to a herpetologist who hangs out at a local book store and he doesnt believe me that a snake especially a water moccasin will climb in the boat when your fishing. It happened to pawpaw twice decades ago. I've personally had a water snake try it when fishing flooded grass 10 years ago on the fourth of july. I tried to outrun him with my troller motor but butterflies routinely pass me so that didn't work and a girl in the boat was freaking and nearly tipped us so I tapped it with my weedless worm. Somehow I hooked it and the paddle had to be used. Anyone have any video of a snake especially a moccasin climbing into the boat while fishing?

How did you manage to hook a snake?

[jiggerpole]

I was Jiggerpole fishing one night in a two man boat with a small light on the front as my guide. This cottonmouth kept coming to the light and trying to get in the boat. I splashed the water several times with my paddle trying to spook the snake away but it was determined to get in the boat. So I let it. When it got it's head over in the boat I lifted my arm up high and with a swing I broke a brand new paddle over it's head. That did the trick. 

 

Others I just shoot now.

[Senko lover]

One sentence: Bill Dance Bloopers.

[southernson1989]

How did you manage to hook a snake?

not sure. The worm wasn't skin hooked but buried in the middle. Just tapped it.

[F14A-B]

You're not alone, more than once I've heard girly shreaks coming from the mouths of adult men.

They sounded like elementary school cheerleaders. 250 pounds chased by 7 ounces

Thanks to tolerant parents, I've had several pet snakes as a teenager (today, we regularly see snakes in our backyard)

You soon lose any unfounded fear you might have of snakes, and begin to understand their very simplistic existence.

(They don't bother me, I don't bother them)

Roger

What's your take on the python explosion in Florida? Geez, I use to see so many people walking around Ft. Lauderdale w pythons, now it's fairly infested from my understanding... Use to be, watch out for gators, mocs, rattlesnakes, scorpions.. Mosquitos, lol now pythons! I have had them fall in my boat, ( yikes ) seen many a moc, and rattlesnakes.. Pythons are where I draw the line!

[RoLo]

What's your take on the python explosion in Florida? Geez, I use to see so many people walking around Ft. Lauderdale w pythons, now it's fairly infested from my understanding... Use to be, watch out for gators, mocs, rattlesnakes, scorpions.. Mosquitos, lol now pythons! I have had them fall in my boat, ( yikes ) seen many a moc, and rattlesnakes.. Pythons are where I draw the line!

 

When we lived in Georgia, I've been bitten by a scorpion (twice), but fortunately I have no reaction to their toxin.

A ten-foot python?  Now that's a formidable predator, and one that can easily dispatch a human.

I would not fish under the limb supporting a large python, he just might be lying in ambush.

But I'd definitely get as close as possible for some stunning photographs & would definitely catch heck from my wife 

 

Roger

[southernson1989]

Another time when my aunt was a teenager she was sun bathing on the dock when she heard hollerin from across the slew. She looked up and the neighbor was jumping up and down pointing at the corner of the dock. When she looked there was a 4 ft moccasin halfway on the dock. By the time she got to the house and got pawpaw and came back he was all the way on the dock.  I don't believe the snakes are trying to get us but I know they have the ability to climb boats, docks, and even the glass of their aquariums in captivity. My rule for harmless snakes is they can be curious all they want as long as I don't have to take a swim because someone freaks out. As for venomous ones I give em a wide birth when I can. Like the Gadsden tattoo on my arm says don't tread on me. But that's a 2 way street. I like snakes and prefer to avoid harming them just like I don't want them harming me.  Im just trying to find video proof that a moccasin will climb in the boat. Bass fishing brings me more contact with snakes than anything else and that's fine. Its worth it

[Gotfishyfingers?]

What's your take on the python explosion in Florida? Geez, I use to see so many people walking around Ft. Lauderdale w pythons, now it's fairly infested from my understanding... Use to be, watch out for gators, mocs, rattlesnakes, scorpions.. Mosquitos, lol now pythons! I have had them fall in my boat, ( yikes ) seen many a moc, and rattlesnakes.. Pythons are where I draw the line!

The Python invasion phenomenon is so over rated, it isn't even funny. I personally never seen or know of anyone who has seen a giant python out there. In fact,  just recently hunters went looking for some during some of the cold days and did not find one. They come out of hiding to seek warmth from the sun. They did a round up of them a couple a years and some people never caught or seen one..   

[Darren.]

I'm very disappointed in you guys. 

 

I go after snakes when I fish, and when

I'm driving around. I love to rescue the

road-crossers from folks like you

 

Unless it is venomous - Cottonmouths/Moccasin.

They are easier to identify because they're quite

belligerent and put off by your presence.

 

Flee from them. Now in Florida, there are 

a few more out to get you, so some leeway

for y'all.

 

Just remember, snakes keep our rodent 

population in check!! 

[southernson1989]

As for the pythons and other invasive species take em out. Armadillos are the reason the quail population has been nearly wiped out in Ga. Im lucky if I see one a year.

[southernson1989]

I'm very disappointed in you guys. 

 

I go after snakes when I fish, and when

I'm driving around. I love to rescue the

road-crossers from folks like you

 

Unless it is venomous - Cottonmouths/Moccasin.

They are easier to identify because they're quite

belligerent and put off by your presence.

 

Flee from them. Now in Florida, there are 

a few more out to get you, so some leeway

for y'all.

 

Just remember, snakes keep our rodent 

population in check!! 

 

I parked and waited for a timber rattler to cross the road the other night on my way back from fishing to make sure it didn't get run over. Theres a picture of it on my twitter.

[Darren.]

 

I'm very disappointed in you guys. 

 

I go after snakes when I fish, and when

I'm driving around. I love to rescue the

road-crossers from folks like you

 

Unless it is venomous - Cottonmouths/Moccasin.

They are easier to identify because they're quite

belligerent and put off by your presence.

 

Flee from them. Now in Florida, there are 

a few more out to get you, so some leeway

for y'all.

 

Just remember, snakes keep our rodent 

population in check!! 

 

I parked and waited for a timber rattler to cross the road the other night on my way back from fishing to make sure it didn't get run over. Theres a picture of it on my twitter.

 

 

[southernson1989]

One sentence: Bill Dance Bloopers.

Hilarious

[RoLo]

The Python invasion phenomenon is so over rated, it isn't even funny. I personally never seen or know of anyone who has seen a giant python out there. In fact,  just recently hunters went looking for some during some of the cold days and did not find one. They come out of hiding to seek warmth from the sun. They did a round up of them a couple a years and some people never caught or seen one..   

 

I can't think of any media issue that isn't way overblown.

Regrettably, the public quickly buys into media hype (we're inundated with examples).

 

Roger

[F14A-B]

Around here, the primary snake ( copperheads )

Can be really bad.. There are concentrated pockets of them, at some spectacular fishing spots. They get in a area, and it's over.. If it's fairly isolated. I quit fishing 2 locations and they are about 70 miles apart.. To many copperheads!

I had to dispatch one on my property in 08.. 51" and the largest CH I have ever seen.. Sorry, my kids and dogs are entitled to protection, but not a huge copperhead, lol I have encountered some giant cotton mouths in Blackcreek ( Greencove springs Florida ) I mean the size of which were shocking... Geez... The red tail hawks are a major force here in keeping the rodents in check, along with feral cats, coyotes & snakes ( black & blue racers)

[Darren.]

Around here, the primary snake ( copperheads )

Can be really bad.. There are concentrated pockets of them, at some spectacular fishing spots. They get in a area, and it's over.. If it's fairly isolated. I quit fishing 2 locations and they are about 70 miles apart.. To many copperheads!

I had to dispatch one on my property in 08.. 51" and the largest CH I have ever seen.. Sorry, my kids and dogs are entitled to protection, but not a huge copperhead, lol I have encountered some giant cotton mouths in Blackcreek ( Greencove springs Florida ) I mean the size of which were shocking... Geez... The red tail hawks are a major force here in keeping the rodents in check, along with feral cats, coyotes & snakes ( black & blue racers)

 

Don't apologize for protecting your family/pets! 

I would do the same if the situation called for it.

Otherwise I'd grab some snake tongs, bag it and

take it to a game warden or to the middle of no-

where to release it.

 

For me it is more people who go out of their way

to run over a snake, turtle, or any animal. Or who

kill every living thing just because.

I've seen too many knuckleheads swerve to pop

a turtle or snake on local roads to make me sick.

 

Knowing what is slithering around your property 

is half the battle. Properly identifying venomous

versus non-venomous is good to know if you live

in areas prone to snake populations. I'm sure you

agree, as you know what you're looking at.

 

I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I was sort of 

tongue-in-cheek about the whole thing, though

I am a bit of a conservationist.

[scaleface]

I like snakes . 

 

i was swimming in a southern missouri creek a few years back. Everybody got out of the water because of a snake . They were frantically yelling at me to get out . I just laughed . It was just too funny. I never understood the phobia .

[F14A-B]

Don't apologize for protecting your family/pets!

I would do the same if the situation called for it.

Otherwise I'd grab some snake tongs, bag it and

take it to a game warden or to the middle of no-

where to release it.

For me it is more people who go out of their way

to run over a snake, turtle, or any animal. Or who

kill every living thing just because.

I've seen too many knuckleheads swerve to pop

a turtle or snake on local roads to make me sick.

Knowing what is slithering around your property

is half the battle. Properly identifying venomous

versus non-venomous is good to know if you live

in areas prone to snake populations. I'm sure you

agree, as you know what you're looking at.

I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I was sort of

tongue-in-cheek about the whole thing, though

I am a bit of a conservationist.

It's all good.. Ditto on knuckleheads, I know exactly the type myself! Seems many have no reason to kill, but do anyway. A sad reality to be sure..

[blackmax135]

Don't apologize for protecting your family/pets! 

I would do the same if the situation called for it.

Otherwise I'd grab some snake tongs, bag it and

take it to a game warden or to the middle of no-

where to release it.

 

For me it is more people who go out of their way

to run over a snake, turtle, or any animal. Or who

kill every living thing just because.

I've seen too many knuckleheads swerve to pop

a turtle or snake on local roads to make me sick.

 

Knowing what is slithering around your property 

is half the battle. Properly identifying venomous

versus non-venomous is good to know if you live

in areas prone to snake populations. I'm sure you

agree, as you know what you're looking at.

 

I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I was sort of 

tongue-in-cheek about the whole thing, though

I am a bit of a conservationist.

I would never harm any turtle!!!  But a snake if its not bright green or dark shiny black he is going down. 

Water moccasins I know for a fact are a very lethal snake because they will protect their territory witch could be anywhere.  They are very aggressive.  There has been multiple cases I have had them charge me.  We had a incident 2 years ago in the Combahee river were people swim and as always there were multiple people swimming and from what I hear the boy was 15, went off from everyone.  He started screaming and everyone went to get him and they couldn't because he was covered in water moccasins. They had to pull him up to shore with something.  He was dead before they got him on shore.

If I remember correctly water moccasins travel the rivers in big balls of 100s.  I think that is when they bread not sure.  That is a scary thing to think about in my mind.

I can believe a moccasins trying to get in a boat but it would have to have something to help it get in I would think

 

You can have picking snakes up but you sure wont see me touch one.

[blackmax135]

Don't apologize for protecting your family/pets! 

I would do the same if the situation called for it.

Otherwise I'd grab some snake tongs, bag it and

take it to a game warden or to the middle of no-

where to release it.

 

For me it is more people who go out of their way

to run over a snake, turtle, or any animal. Or who

kill every living thing just because.

I've seen too many knuckleheads swerve to pop

a turtle or snake on local roads to make me sick.

 

Knowing what is slithering around your property 

is half the battle. Properly identifying venomous

versus non-venomous is good to know if you live

in areas prone to snake populations. I'm sure you

agree, as you know what you're looking at.

 

I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I was sort of 

tongue-in-cheek about the whole thing, though

I am a bit of a conservationist.

Hey if you want to help conserve the moccasin population you come right on to my house and Ill show you the way just as long as you take them with you.  lol