Surpriser Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 I was fishing in a super quiet slough on Wilson Lake yesterday, using a popping frog. At the very beginning of a long cast, I see an owl swoop down from a tree (didn't notice the owl before), and immediately see that it's making a b-line for my frog. I figured it would see that it ain't a real frog before it went in for the grab, but it was committed and went for it. Untangling or unhooking an owl from my kayak didn't appeal to me, so I jerked the frog out of reach at the very last second before the owl could grab it. The owl then perched on a branch right above me. I kept fishing, and the owl would look at the frog intently, look at me, then back at the frog. I had my iPhone set to record video in case it went in for another swoop, but it was content just watching and looking confused. I've seen osprey and other bird go for lures, but was surprised to see an elusive Barred Owl go for the frog, and then hang out while I continued to fish. You don't normally think of owls attacking aquatic prey. Here's some shots of the owl I took... 3 Quote
livemusic Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 Awesome, glad he didn't get hooked! I once saved a coyote pup; I was hiking down a levee and this little pup ran out of the grass, onto the road atop the levee and trotted ahead of me. A huge red tailed hawk came out of the sky and was in a dive to nail the pup and I screamed at the last second before impact and the pup did a jag and the hawk missed. I questioned if the hawk could carry him, he was pretty big. I guess he would have just eaten him there. Or part of him. Lucky pup! Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted April 15, 2015 Super User Posted April 15, 2015 Those are great pics! I see them a lot during deer season & again during Spring Turkey.. I have never seen one fishing, let alone attack a bait! Cool story... Quote
Dogmatic Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 I have eagles and osprey watch my swimbaits all the time, only once did I have to burn a bait back to keep it from a hungry eagle that just couldn't tell the difference. Quote
Super User gulfcaptain Posted April 15, 2015 Super User Posted April 15, 2015 Birds of prey SUCK to untangle. They aren't very happy campers when you have to reel one in. My buddy hooked an osprey on a swimbait. Two man operation to get that thing unhooked. Involved having to use a sweatshirt and then a tackle to gain control. Even with two sets of hands it wasn't easy. Would not even want to try messing with one in a kayak and alone when we were on the bank and had room. Good call. So now when I fish bigger floating swimbaits, I always keep an eye out to make sure I'm not getting dive bombed from above. 1 Quote
Super User Darren. Posted April 15, 2015 Super User Posted April 15, 2015 That's a beauty! I've caught a pigeon mid-cast, but an owl going after a frog. Sweet. Quote
Super User Senko lover Posted April 15, 2015 Super User Posted April 15, 2015 That's awesome! I love owls. Quote
Super User BassinLou Posted April 15, 2015 Super User Posted April 15, 2015 Fortunately you didn't hook that owl, yikes!! Sometimes I have to deal with gulls and they can be real PITA!! Quote
Mccallister25 Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 I was out a week or so ago throwing around a spook when I saw something coming at the water from the corner of my eye. Looked up to see an owl making his way straight for my lure. I did the same thing as the OP, jerked it as hard as I could to get it out of reach of the bird. The owl circled around and landed on a tree limb. It watched me for a few minutes until I decided to pack up and leave. Didnt wanna risk hooking the thing. It was a huge bird. Quote
boostr Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 Nice pics, I've caught a snake or maybe the snake caught my frog lure one time. 3 footer, shook that rod ferociously until it fell off. 1 Quote
Super User RoLo Posted April 15, 2015 Super User Posted April 15, 2015 Beautiful images Barred owls have such beautiful plumage Roger Quote
RanndomUndead Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 This morning as i was trying to revive a dying fish (RIP lil feller) a bunch of these tiny birds (4 or 5) swarmed me and basically did an old school pokemon style "wing attack" at me. They never touched me, but i could feel the wind as my heart nearly exploded from the surprise. After i let go and hunkered down they dragged it to shore and pecked it like no tomorrow. Last year i hooked a 45 lb turtle....probably my most interesting non fish fishing encounter. "ITS A BIG STICK, Nope.....Its Franklins Mother....Uhhh what do i do now" 2 Quote
RanndomUndead Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 Nice pics, I've caught a snake or maybe the snake caught my frog lure one time. 3 footer, shook that rod ferociously until it fell off. Pin its head down with the rod, then get your boot on the very back of its skull and work from there. or do the same with your thumb then wrap your hand around with some serious pressure. Getting them down is scary, tad dangerous, controlling them is easy as pie, Getting rid of them without getting bit is rather dangerous, depending on the aggressiveness. Mean ones like to do a 180 and get ya. Others go on their way....Best bet is to just throw them, far. 1 Quote
boostr Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Pin its head down with the rod, then get your boot on the very back of its skull and work from there. or do the same with your thumb then wrap your hand around with some serious pressure. Getting them down is scary, tad dangerous, controlling them is easy as pie, Getting rid of them without getting bit is rather dangerous, depending on the aggressiveness. Mean ones like to do a 180 and get ya. Others go on their way....Best bet is to just throw them, far. With my luck I'll pin my hand down, and the snake will grab it... Quote
southernson1989 Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 i saw a giant horned owl swoop down one evening and grab a bullfrog from the waters edge. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted April 16, 2015 Global Moderator Posted April 16, 2015 I caught an owl on a jitterbug night fishing several years ago, it's a heck of a fight to get one in. 1 Quote
Super User Crestliner2008 Posted April 16, 2015 Super User Posted April 16, 2015 One reason why I use to hate fishing the St. Lawrence river was that you could not fish a top water bait at all, or the sea gulls would grab it up! Great pictures by the way! Quote
RanndomUndead Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 With my luck I'll pin my hand down, and the snake will grab it... Thats why you should carry a Ka-Bar Quote
RAMBLER Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Don't feed owls. While fishing on a small river, I noticed a small owl sitting in a tree watching my every move. Just for the heck of it, I threw a small pan fish, I had just caught, up on shore. The owl dove on it and a flew off with it. In a little while it was back watching and waiting for more. I threw another small fish on shore and it grabbed that one and left. It had evidently been fed before. A couple of weeks later we (fishing partner) and I were fishing the same area. The owl showed up. I decided to not feed it. Had a small fish I was cutting up for cut bait. I felt a brush of air against the back of my leg and I turned around to see what happened. My partner said that owl swooped down and grabbed that cut bait. Another week or so, I did not notice the owl, but, as I pulled a fish in and had it in my hand the owl came out of nowhere and tried to take it from me. I yelled and waved my hand and it flared, right in my face, and flew to a tree and sat and watched until we left the area. But, before we left, another fisherman came through. I asked him if he had seen the owl. Man, did I get an ear full. He said if he did see it he was going to shoot it. Both of his hands were scarred up from fighting with that owl over a fish a week or so before. I never did see that owl, again. I guess the guy must have carried through with his threat. Don't feed owls. 1 Quote
LunkerFisher Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Ah birds and baits. I had seagull pick up a husky jerk last year. Luckily he wasn't hooked, just didn't want to let go of it until I reeled him up to 5ft from the boat. Quote
Todd2 Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Barred owls are my favorite to hear...nothing like night fishing with black lights..the lake almost to yourself and hearing that "who cooks for you" call. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted April 16, 2015 Global Moderator Posted April 16, 2015 I guess I forgot about this one from just a couple weeks ago. 2 Quote
boostr Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Thats why you should carry a Ka-Bar That's alright I'll be getting my Becker soon.. 1 Quote
boostr Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 I guess I forgot about this one from just a couple weeks ago. Did you get it loose, and did it survive. That a little feller. Quote
RanndomUndead Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 That's alright I'll be getting my Becker soon.. Heh, Kabar Kukri style machete, 11 inch blade, 2 pounds of FSU along with a Mora Companion are part of my standard fishing equipment. Gotta love being in a open carry state for edged tools Quote
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