CHASED by a gator today

[Koz]

I know what you're thinking - Koz has another alligator story today. But it was a good fishing day, too.

 

We were fishing one of the larger lagoons in Sun City Hilton Head this morning. It was cloudy and the water was still, so I started off throwing a Spook. Sure enough, within the next few minutes a juvenile, skinny, 5 foot gator comes cruising out of nowhere so I ditch the spook and put on a purple and green Rat-L-Trap.

 

I hook up on the first cast and start to bring it in. The gator is interested and starts to move slowly in my direction, so I slide ten feet to my left to create some distance. As soon as I get the fish to the shoreline the gators goes full throttle at the fish, so I move further up the bank. At this point almost every gator will just stay in the water a few feet off shore. But not this guy.

 

He crosses the vegetation on the bank and keeps coming. He hits the short mowed grass and he's still coming at me. I don't even have time to pick up the fish and I'm dragging it along the bank and that stupid little gator is still coming at me. I keep moving and he finally stops - right in front of my tackle bag. Neighbors are yelling for my son to go check on me as they see a 50+ year old guy dragging a fish and trying to outpace a small gator. Finally, I'm about 100 feet away from him now my son comes over to unhook the fish - my glasses are in my tackle bag and I can't see where the hooks are embedded. My phone is also in my bag so I can't get a picture of the gator guarding my gear.

 

I head back towards the alligator to scare him away and he just sits there, but he's not on his belly. His chest is above the ground and his head is high with his mouth open. That's a warning for me. He's not budging. Five minutes later and he's still not moving. I finally had to grab some small rocks and bounce them in his direction to get him to go back in the water. Good times.

 

After landing that 2 pounder we moved around the corner to the far side of that lagoon and I managed to land a 3 pounder and a 4.5 pounder, although I lost 2 with poor hooksets on a jig. Went to another lagoon and landed about a 6 pounder to end the day. But there's a story with that one as well.

 

I've lost a few fish recently near the bank when I got the rod tip up and the fish breached. So when I saw the size of it, this time I kept the rod low and dragged him on shore. He snagged a bit on the way up but I muscled him onto the bank. As it turns out, I snagged the snap and bent it open. When I went to grab the scale the fish flopped right off that snap and landed in the water with my chatterbait still in his lip.

 

I fished for another 45 minutes after that trying to catch him again, but the heavy rains and lightning came and we had to pack it in for the day. I feel bad about that. But I will head there tomorrow and with any luck I can catch that one again.

 

Anyway, it was a good fishing day and at the same time I managed to get in some cardio. Not a bad day at all.

[Rahlow]

Not me brother, not me. Snakes are bad enough, but gators? No thanks

[AggieBassin10]

Good ol' gators ? We had about a 4 footer swimming towards us the other day. In order to "distract him" my brother threw his brand spankin new spinnerbait in his direction. It distracted him alright. He rolled on it and CHOMP! Suddenly my brother was hooked up with a beast. The gator jumped clean out of the water when he realized he was hooked. We just cut the line. Hopefully he doesn't hold a grudge cause that was a good fishing spot ??

 

[Ariffy]

So glad I live in Ontario... Just got to watch for the Bears ?

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Call the DNR and get him removed. Gators like that are a danger to everyone around. 

 

When they lose the fear of man, it's time they go.

[Koz]

51 minutes ago, NittyGrittyBoy said:

Call the DNR and get him removed. Gators like that are a danger to everyone around. 

 

When they lose the fear of man, it's time they go.

 

If it was an adult gator I would do that. But this is just a juvenile that doesn't know any better - yet.

 

The SCDNR area is not proactive in removing alligators unless there is an injury. They leave it up to the HOA to handle critters in their communities as well. I will mention it to the HOA later in the week.

[Sam]

Have you considered carrying a .38 and shooting any gator that approaches you?

 

Alligators are prehistoric animals that only want to kill and eat. They are extremely fast and can jump out of the water and run around 20 MPH+ on land.

 

They are also sneaky, waiting for a meal to approach on the bank.

 

And "man" is a meal to an alligator.

 

Growing up in south Louisiana and fishing in the marsh has given me a very strong appreciation for an alligator and how they guard their territority.

 

I will avoid them at all costs and even not go fishing if one is in the vicinity.

 

Just my two cents. Glad you are OK.

[Sam]

This is why you keep your eyes and ears open when gators are around.

 

Sad story.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/body-missing-florida-woman-bitten-alligator-found-officials-162203739--abc-news-topstories.html

 

 

[Chris at Tech]

I have a similar, very special relationship with one particular gator in Hilton Head Plantation

[Sam]

1 hour ago, Chris at Tech said:

I have a similar, very special relationship with one particular gator in Hilton Head Plantation

Chris, do you go to the football games with her on fall weekends???

[Koz]

22 hours ago, Sam said:

Have you considered carrying a .38 and shooting any gator that approaches you?

 

 

Yeah, I've thought about it. I actually work in the field of stormwater management and that puts me around retention ponds now and then. It also makes me hyper vigilant every time I'm near the water. I stay clear of reedy and tall grass areas when working and fishing. When working, if there's heavy aquatic vegetation around the shore I always check it out first or toss something in there before approaching (spooked plenty of bass that way!). 

 

Today I fished a small lagoon out back of my dads place and wouldn't you know it, the same thing happened again today when I caught a 1 pounder. But this was an even smaller juvenile gator, only about 3 feet long. I managed to grab my tackle bag but left a plano box behind in the rush. Stupid gator camped out right over my plano box. But when I set the fish free I tossed it so it made a big splash and the little guy went back in the water.

 

But the worst part about today was a 6-7 pounder blew up on my Teckel Sprinker frog and I MISSED THE HOOK SET! I hat the Teckel. I have no idea why I throw it. I've never landed a fish with that topwater. I tried for another hour after that and couldn't get it to bite at anything.

 

 

 

 

[TOXIC]

I learned my lesson when I lived in Florida.  Had a small gator follow a buzzbait to the boat a couple of times.  I tempted him 1 to many times and he came right in the back of the boat.  I was a nano second away from going off the front when he flipped around and exited.  Lesson learned.  

[Log Catcher]

If I live where I had to worry about gators I would definitely be armed in case of these kinds of situations.

[All about da bass]

On 6/9/2018 at 10:08 PM, Sam said:

Have you considered carrying a .38 and shooting any gator that approaches you?

 

Alligators are prehistoric animals that only want to kill and eat. They are extremely fast and can jump out of the water and run around 20 MPH+ on land.

 

They are also sneaky, waiting for a meal to approach on the bank.

 

And "man" is a meal to an alligator.

 

Growing up in south Louisiana and fishing in the marsh has given me a very strong appreciation for an alligator and how they guard their territority.

 

I will avoid them at all costs and even not go fishing if one is in the vicinity.

 

Just my two cents. Glad you are OK.

Amen to that. We were fishing around about a dozen this weekend in a tournament. I just told my partner to keep fishing until one gets to close. We saw a couple 8 footers and a few small ones. One I thought was just a log, so I got the bright idea to throw my t rig over it and work it of the "log". Soon as I pulled it over it rolled over and swallowed it and ended up spooling me.

[Sam]

18 hours ago, Koz said:

 

Yeah, I've thought about it. I actually work in the field of stormwater management and that puts me around retention ponds now and then. It also makes me hyper vigilant every time I'm near the water. I stay clear of reedy and tall grass areas when working and fishing. When working, if there's heavy aquatic vegetation around the shore I always check it out first or toss something in there before approaching (spooked plenty of bass that way!). 

 

Today I fished a small lagoon out back of my dads place and wouldn't you know it, the same thing happened again today when I caught a 1 pounder. But this was an even smaller juvenile gator, only about 3 feet long. I managed to grab my tackle bag but left a plano box behind in the rush. Stupid gator camped out right over my plano box. But when I set the fish free I tossed it so it made a big splash and the little guy went back in the water.

 

But the worst part about today was a 6-7 pounder blew up on my Teckel Sprinker frog and I MISSED THE HOOK SET! I hat the Teckel. I have no idea why I throw it. I've never landed a fish with that topwater. I tried for another hour after that and couldn't get it to bite at anything.

 

 

 

 

Try Academy H2O frogs.

Outstanding!

[B-Dozer]

Being chased by a gator, is similar to being chased by a bear.

You don't have to run fast, just faster than the guy next to you.

We know a thing or two, cause we've seen a thing or two.....

Farmer's Insurance. 

[Gundog]

Only one way to deal with this situation.....

[B-Dozer]

yeah, well the gators have a different idea ?

[Koz]

53 minutes ago, Sam said:

Try Academy H2O frogs.

Outstanding!

 

I like my Booyahs for normal frogs. I bought the Teckel for weedy spots where I want to make some noise and I can't throw a Whopper Plopper.

[Koz]

I was back at that same big lagoon today and as I was setting up a jig I noticed that same alligator a few hundred feet away. By the time I made my first cast he closed the gap and wouldn't you know it I felt an immediate tap-tap but didn't even bother to set the hook. Why tempt fate again? I just packed up and moved on to another lagoon.

 

BTW, I'm sure the tap-tap that I passed on would have been my new PB

[FishDewd]

On 6/9/2018 at 8:47 PM, NittyGrittyBoy said:

Call the DNR and get him removed. Gators like that are a danger to everyone around. 

 

When they lose the fear of man, it's time they go.

Nm

[Catt]

CAJUN WARNING

Due to the extreme drought in Florida, the following caution was issued:

The Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising alligators both young and old to take extra precautions and keep alert for Cajuns while in Bay, Seminole, Osceola, Polk, Brevard, and Orange Counties.

Alligators should recognize the difference between small young Cajuns and large adult Cajuns. The young Cajun will be the one carrying the Sauce Piquant pot and the adult Cajun will be the one wearing alligator boots.

[Bankbeater]

I don't know if I could fish knowing there was something nearby that could take a good bite out of me.

[DINK WHISPERER]

5 ft....meh, I would've made him regret coming out of the water. ?

[Koz]

51 minutes ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

5 ft....meh, I would've made him regret coming out of the water. ?

 

Probably not big enough to drag me in, but big enough to do some damage. Then again, they are mostly muscle...