I am a little concerned!

[dsw1204]

Hi folks.  This is my first season fishing and I would say I have done pretty well...not great, but pretty well.  Haven't caught a lot of fish, but most of the ones I caught have been pretty good-sized ones.  One five pounder, two four pounders, four three pounders (all largemouth) and a bunch of two pounders.  Not a lot of fish under that.  And the fishing this autumn has been tougher than fishing the hot summer days.  That's weird, right?

 

I've been fishing the Cincinnati area and have been hitting the local ponds and small lakes.  That's where almost all of my success has been.  The Great Miami River has beaten me up.  Just one sauger.

 

I will be headed to the Tampa area this coming March.  Will be visiting family and will have some time to fish.  There's all sorts of small ponds and a couple of small lakes in the immediate area of where I will be staying.  Most of these look isolated.

 

Now, being from the north, I don't have much to fear when traveling to these little ponds that are pretty much out-of-the-way.  But, in Florida, where's there's all sorts of venomous snakes and alligators, I am thinking should I worry about going to these isolated ponds?

 

Hell, even in Cincinnati I spotted a very rare Massasauga rattlesnake near the Great Miami River just a few days ago.  Doing some research I found that they are a docile snake and I was in no danger.  But, Florida is another story...or so I think.

 

Snakes scare the heck out of me!!!  But, if anything, I should probably be more concerned about alligators.  Or, am I just overthinking this and not be worried at all.

 

What do you Florida anglers say?

 

 

 

 

[papajoe222]

 

2 hours ago, dsw1204 said:

And the fishing this autumn has been tougher than fishing the hot summer days.  That's weird, right?

Not really, I find the bass are much more predictable during the summer. Fall fishing can  be great, but it can also be very frustrating.

IMO, you’re over thinking things. Yes, there is always a possibility of encountering a snake, or gator. As with most wildlife, their first response to your presence is to get away from you. The other thing to keep in mind is the fact that March in the Tampa area is warm, but not the hot, humid summer conditions when they are most active.

Enjoy your outing. It’s a good time to fish in Florida. 

[dsw1204]

1 hour ago, papajoe222 said:

 

Not really, I find the bass are much more predictable during the summer. Fall fishing can  be great, but it can also be very frustrating.

IMO, you’re over thinking things. Yes, there is always a possibility of encountering a snake, or gator. As with most wildlife, their first response to your presence is to get away from you. The other thing to keep in mind is the fact that March in the Tampa area is warm, but not the hot, humid summer conditions when they are most active.

Enjoy your outing. It’s a good time to fish in Florida. 

You bring up a good point about the March weather.  It probably won't be too hot.  I've visited at that time of year before and it was, actually, chilly.  So, I guess I won't fret over this as much as I have been.  Imagination was getting the best of me.

[813basstard]

I live in the 813. PM me. 
Thing about Tampa is there are 4 public boat ramps for freshwater. 

4.

The most dangerous animal you will run in to is man, or woman, letting you know that in fact “this is private property”.

I just tell them I went to public school and do not read or write the English Language.

 

[Koz]

8 hours ago, dsw1204 said:

But, in Florida, where's there's all sorts of venomous snakes and alligators, I am thinking should I worry about going to these isolated ponds?
 

I'm very experienced in fishing gator infested lagoons (ponds) here in SC. I've been stalked by gators, chased by gators, surprised by gators, and had gators go after fish that I'm reeling in. So here are some rules that I follow when I fish these waters:

 

• I never fish in an area where I cannot make a quick exit away from the water. In other words, I won't fish standing in high grass, boggy or muddy areas, or surrounded by trees. If you stay out of those areas you usually don't have to worry about snakes, either.
• Before approaching the basin scan the water and the banks. This includes looking beneath the surface where you are going to fish along the bank. But truthfully, whether you are fishing in gator waters or not you should always take at least a handful of casts before you even approach the bank so you don't spook potential catches in that area.
• Be extra cautious if you're fishing in an area with vegetation along the bank, even if it's grass only a foot or so high. It's hard to see gators hugging the bank.
• Keep a knife at the ready in case you need to cut your line. You're not going to wrestle a lure or a fish out of a gator's mouth.
• If you're thinking of navigating a narrow area of bank with heavy cover behind you (woods, bushes, grass) don't do it. Gators both nest and hide in the woods. I was once about to navigate a narrow area and heard a few loud grunts. I turned and ran my butt out of there. Moments later a huge 12 foot gator came out of the brush from that area. Here's what that sounded like:
• Keep your head on a swivel and scan the water and banks while you are fishing. I've watched gators hug the shoreline stalking my position.
• A swimming gator will usually raise his body as high as he can over the water to make his presence known. Many will do that and sit off shore near you letting you know he does not want you there. When they drop their body so only a portion of their head is showing they are preparing to pounce on your lure or your catch.
• Top water lures are dinner bells for gators. You can use them, but if a gator is in the area they will usually come check it out.
• Little gators are a nuisance and fearless because they lack experience. It's the little ones that have come out of the water and up the bank and chased me as I landed a fish.
• Never underestimate the speed of a determined gator. In or out of the water they can close the gap FAST.
• If you catch the attention of a gator, most will slowly drift your way to see what is going on or warn you off. But watch for gators that come steaming your way and know that they can go even faster than that.
• Don't stand on rip rap and fish. I used to do that then one day as I approached a favorite lagoon I saw another 12 footer come over the rip rap from the woods. There's no way I could have run on that rip rap if wanted to make a meal out of me.
• If you catch the attention of a gator it's usually a good idea to just move to another lagoon. Even if you move away, once you have his attention he'll usually follow you.
• There are some gators that could care less that you are there. Even if they're in the area you can fish and they won't bother your bait or your catch. Just watch that they don't change their mind.
• Never, ever provoke or feed a gator.
• If you encounter a gator that is aggressive towards humans call DNR right away. Notify the HOA as well. We've had 3 gator attacks on humans here in the past year including one death.
• I'll say it again - head on a swivel and keep scanning the area as you fish. Gators also travel underwater and can pop up anywhere - including right at your feet.
• If you hear the screech of a baby gator get the hell out of there. Mama is around and she is protective. Here's what it sound like:

If any of this scares you - good. You cannot be too careful out there. That being said, if you use common sense and pay attention you'll be just fine out there. Frankly, I think fishing from the bank with gators around is safer than fishing from a kayak with gators around.

[Sam]

Fantastic report, Koz.

 

I remember that sound an alligator makes when I was growing up in south Louisiana and we floated too close to a gator's nest. Never saw the females but they let you know they were there.

 

And yes, never, never feed them, although they do like the big, fluffy marshmallows. if you do, you have a companion for the rest of the day that will follow you wherever you go.

 

Just remember those famous words of my uncle that he told all of his nephews: "What does a snake and a leaky condom have in common?  You don't ******** with either." Same applies to alligators.

 

And by the way, I was told that an alligator can hit 30 MPH on land. Although I never have seen a gator go that fast it is faster than I can run.

 

And gators can be defeated by LSU Fighting Tigers if you have any in the area!!!!  

[The Bassman]

Kinda comforting knowing that all I have to look out for are muskrat runs around the ponds I fish. Fell in one yesterday and messed my knee up. Better than having a leg bit off, though.

[dsw1204]

On 10/13/2019 at 1:10 AM, Koz said:

I'm very experienced in fishing gator infested lagoons (ponds) here in SC. I've been stalked by gators, chased by gators, surprised by gators, and had gators go after fish that I'm reeling in. So here are some rules that I follow when I fish these waters:

 

• I never fish in an area where I cannot make a quick exit away from the water. In other words, I won't fish standing in high grass, boggy or muddy areas, or surrounded by trees. If you stay out of those areas you usually don't have to worry about snakes, either.
• Before approaching the basin scan the water and the banks. This includes looking beneath the surface where you are going to fish along the bank. But truthfully, whether you are fishing in gator waters or not you should always take at least a handful of casts before you even approach the bank so you don't spook potential catches in that area.
• Be extra cautious if you're fishing in an area with vegetation along the bank, even if it's grass only a foot or so high. It's hard to see gators hugging the bank.
• Keep a knife at the ready in case you need to cut your line. You're not going to wrestle a lure or a fish out of a gator's mouth.
• If you're thinking of navigating a narrow area of bank with heavy cover behind you (woods, bushes, grass) don't do it. Gators both nest and hide in the woods. I was once about to navigate a narrow area and heard a few loud grunts. I turned and ran my butt out of there. Moments later a huge 12 foot gator came out of the brush from that area. Here's what that sounded like:
• Keep your head on a swivel and scan the water and banks while you are fishing. I've watched gators hug the shoreline stalking my position.
• A swimming gator will usually raise his body as high as he can over the water to make his presence known. Many will do that and sit off shore near you letting you know he does not want you there. When they drop their body so only a portion of their head is showing they are preparing to pounce on your lure or your catch.
• Top water lures are dinner bells for gators. You can use them, but if a gator is in the area they will usually come check it out.
• Little gators are a nuisance and fearless because they lack experience. It's the little ones that have come out of the water and up the bank and chased me as I landed a fish.
• Never underestimate the speed of a determined gator. In or out of the water they can close the gap FAST.
• If you catch the attention of a gator, most will slowly drift your way to see what is going on or warn you off. But watch for gators that come steaming your way and know that they can go even faster than that.
• Don't stand on rip rap and fish. I used to do that then one day as I approached a favorite lagoon I saw another 12 footer come over the rip rap from the woods. There's no way I could have run on that rip rap if wanted to make a meal out of me.
• If you catch the attention of a gator it's usually a good idea to just move to another lagoon. Even if you move away, once you have his attention he'll usually follow you.
• There are some gators that could care less that you are there. Even if they're in the area you can fish and they won't bother your bait or your catch. Just watch that they don't change their mind.
• Never, ever provoke or feed a gator.
• If you encounter a gator that is aggressive towards humans call DNR right away. Notify the HOA as well. We've had 3 gator attacks on humans here in the past year including one death.
• I'll say it again - head on a swivel and keep scanning the area as you fish. Gators also travel underwater and can pop up anywhere - including right at your feet.
• If you hear the screech of a baby gator get the hell out of there. Mama is around and she is protective. Here's what it sound like:

If any of this scares you - good. You cannot be too careful out there. That being said, if you use common sense and pay attention you'll be just fine out there. Frankly, I think fishing from the bank with gators around is safer than fishing from a kayak with gators around.

Yes, a lot of that scares me...at least a little bit.  A lot of good information.  I've got your "rules" bookmarked on my computer so that I can easily call them up and review them quickly.  Five months from now (when I will be in Florida), I might not be able to find this thread. 

 

Thanks for your reply.  I will definitely review this in March before I head down.

[N Florida Mike]

Born and raised in Florida. I personally am much more concerned with moccasins than Gators. I won’t go into all the experience I’ve had with Gators this time, but just keep your eyes open. They don’t eat trees, and that’s basically what you look like to one if you’re standing on the bank. I have never had one fail to run away if you startle one on the bank.

Moccasins are more common even than Gators .I’ve never had one chase me , although I’ve heard all the stories otherwise. Wear snake boots if possible. In Early March there won’t be too much activity if it’s been cold anyway. And wear something with deet for ticks. 

In ponds I would use soft plastics as weightless as possible. Flukes , senko, ribbon tailed and trick worms especially.

[DanielG]

Maine here: We have no naturally poisonous animals here. And pretty much no dangerous ones. Ya a rare black bear or moose in rut but that is pretty unheard of. That being said, we're pretty much neophytes when it comes trekking in the south or west. First time I went to Yosemite camping I asked the ranger about the guy who was eaten there by a grizzly two weeks before. He said, "ya, that was unfortunate."

Then you see signs on the trails that say, 'look out for rattle snakes.' Nothing like that here.

I've traveled to all continental states with my camper. So far haven't encountered any dangers. Can't say it wouldn't happen but Maybe it's a lot rarer than we think.

[N Florida Mike]

I’m pretty sure people are the most dangerous thing we face, city or country. And Florida definitely has its share of deranged folks. I don’t go out in the woods without my peace maker anymore.

[TnRiver46]

19 hours ago, N Florida Mike said:

Born and raised in Florida. I personally am much more concerned with moccasins than Gators. I won’t go into all the experience I’ve had with Gators this time, but just keep your eyes open. They don’t eat trees, and that’s basically what you look like to one if you’re standing on the bank. I have never had one fail to run away if you startle one on the bank.

Moccasins are more common even than Gators .I’ve never had one chase me , although I’ve heard all the stories otherwise. Wear snake boots if possible. In Early March there won’t be too much activity if it’s been cold anyway. And wear something with deet for ticks. 

In ponds I would use soft plastics as weightless as possible. Flukes , senko, ribbon tailed and trick worms especially.

Ive heard those moccasins like to come directly toward you unlike any other snake. Thankfully the water is too cold here for them but they are all over west TN and some in middle TN 

[Koz]

On 10/19/2019 at 2:38 PM, N Florida Mike said:

They don’t eat trees, and that’s basically what you look like to one if you’re standing on the bank.

 

That doesn't happen here. I've been both stalked and chased by gators. If they see me on the bank, hear my lure hit the water, or feel the vibration of a bladed bait they head my way either casually or at full steam. Most larger gators will park themselves 30 or so feet off shore right in front of me and stay there, letting me know I'm not welcome.

 

In my area the gators are very territorial and you won't find more than 2 or 3 adults in any given lagoon. But in Florida with its expansive waters and a higher concentration of alligators per acre of water I imagine they are less territorial unless they are guarding eggs or baby gators. But in small Florida lagoons I would bet they are just as territorial.

 

[Don51]

On 10/19/2019 at 2:56 PM, DanielG said:

Maine here: We have no naturally poisonous animals here. And pretty much no dangerous ones. Ya a rare black bear or moose in rut but that is pretty unheard of. That being said, we're pretty much neophytes when it comes trekking in the south or west. First time I went to Yosemite camping I asked the ranger about the guy who was eaten there by a grizzly two weeks before. He said, "ya, that was unfortunate."

Then you see signs on the trails that say, 'look out for rattle snakes.' Nothing like that here.

I've traveled to all continental states with my camper. So far haven't encountered any dangers. Can't say it wouldn't happen but Maybe it's a lot rarer than we think.

Yes you do! Those little ticks are a big danger. They may not kill you but they can do a lot of damage! Believe me, I know.

[DanielG]

4 hours ago, Don51 said:

Yes you do! Those little ticks are a big danger. They may not kill you but they can do a lot of damage! Believe me, I know.

I agree... But they are disease spreading, not poisonous. That being said, as the climate warms and we seem to be averaging about a month more of summer the past few years, here in Maine, the warnings are out about the ticks and we're doing what we can to mitigate the situation, inspections, dressing right, bug spray, etc. The deer ticks are the culprit and they are very tiny and hard to notice. The regular big ones are all around too but nasty, not dangerous. There are people with lyme disease from deer ticks around here. Years ago it was pretty much an unknown issue. Often our winters aren't cold enough for long enough now to make much of a dent in them.

 

We're also getting the diseased mosquitoes and such. We're being told to keep the kids inside at dusk till first frost. Always delegated to the warmer climates before. We never had the issue here. As it warms up, we're warned to expect more insect disease issues. That's why tropical south american insect diseases are now in the southern states.

 

We're seeing birds and that we've never encountered before too. They are all migrating more north now. We've got blue herons here at the lake. I've been here all my life. Never seen one but in books before a couple years ago. Now I see one most times I go out on the lake. I guess they were around before, but their breeding area tended to be predominantly south of us.

 

One nice thing. Not related to climate issues is over the years but we've seen more and more bald eagles. Three nests that I know of within my sight now. As a kid we never hoped to ever encounter one. Very cool to watch them scoop up the fish I should have caught. I'm wondering if taking them off the endangered species list was a good idea though. There aren't that many of them yet. Time will tell.

[N Florida Mike]

22 hours ago, Koz said:

 

That doesn't happen here. I've been both stalked and chased by gators. If they see me on the bank, hear my lure hit the water, or feel the vibration of a bladed bait they head my way either casually or at full steam. Most larger gators will park themselves 30 or so feet off shore right in front of me and stay there, letting me know I'm not welcome.

 

In my area the gators are very territorial and you won't find more than 2 or 3 adults in any given lagoon. But in Florida with its expansive waters and a higher concentration of alligators per acre of water I imagine they are less territorial unless they are guarding eggs or baby gators. But in small Florida lagoons I would bet they are just as territorial.

 

That behavior by Gators sounds like they’re used to being fed. That’s the main reason they lose all fear of people. I know Ive said this before but I’ve been around Gators a lot(mostly in wild areas ) and just haven’t had much attention from them., even when I used to frequently wade fish the st Johns river where they were numerous. Once a gator( 7-8 footer ) swam towards us when the kids were swimming and splashing around. I made them get up on a dock . As soon as the splashing stopped, so did he. then he turned and swam out towards the middle of the river.

I do respect Gators but am not scared of em. Just something we deal with if we want to spend any time outdoors here.

I got hemmed in by 2 9 footers one evening but Im sure they weren’t working together to get me. When it got too dark for me to stand it ., I waded toward the one in my way out and he sank. I did pray some that time but he had left when I got to where he had been.

Most of the public bank fishing areas I know about here have gators but you rarely see any. I have only heard of one that followed a boat showing aggression and he was( is ) ? A huge old gator that was named” ol’ Tail light. He was named that cause his head was so big and his eyes were so far apart ( and glowing red when shined at night) . Supposedly a 16 footer. The man it happened to was way up a creek and he saw a headless deer floating there. The gator then approached the boat. He was probably just protecting his food source.

I have heard of people getting attacked and killed / maimed by them , but it’s rare. Lightning kills a lot more people here than Gators.

[N Florida Mike]

On 10/20/2019 at 10:09 AM, TnRiver46 said:

Ive heard those moccasins like to come directly toward you unlike any other snake. Thankfully the water is too cold here for them but they are all over west TN and some in middle TN 

I have heard many stories like that . I’ll tell you one thing, they don’t retreat much ! That’s one reason they’re so dangerous - most other wild critters run if approached. Y’all have copperheads up there don’t you?

[Koz]

21 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

That behavior by Gators sounds like they’re used to being fed.

 

That's definitely not the case where I fish. Sun City is a retirement community and most folks stay away from the lagoon banks. They're too old and frail to mess with the gators.

 

Down the road on Hilton Head it's a different story - lots of idiot tourists feeding the alligators. A few times the problem has been people walking their dogs near lagoons (idiots!), but at least one that I know of was an unprovoked attack. My guess is the gator was protecting little ones or a nest nearby.

 

 

[Bird]

Fished in southern Alabama for years while visiting in laws.....Gators never once presented a concern.

We actually shew away the ones being fed by paid tour guides so we could cast.

 

Bugs were the only issue we had. Lol

 

[TnRiver46]

51 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

I have heard many stories like that . I’ll tell you one thing, they don’t retreat much ! That’s one reason they’re so dangerous - most other wild critters run if approached. Y’all have copperheads up there don’t you?

Yes the mountains are full of copperhead and the occasional timber rattler 

18 minutes ago, Bird said:

Fished in southern Alabama for years while visiting in laws.....Gators never once presented a concern.

We actually shew away the ones being fed by paid tour guides so we could cast.

 

Bugs were the only issue we had. Lol

 

I fish southern Alabama also and have had the same experience except for the small ones. They hit lures over and over and over. The big ones won’t move for anything, not proud to admit I have a picture somewhere of a 12-14 footer with a buzzbait sitting on its head. It wasn’t my buzzbait but it is my picture........ haha. No kidding the spot we camp is where they killed the world record alligator . If you don’t believe me google world record alligator 

[Sam]

DSW, here is a P.S. to my original post.

 

I was fishing a Delaware pond and standing in one place for about  20 minutes catching some beauties and a bunch of dinks.

 

All of a sudden and to the right about 3 feet in the mud a snapping turtle made a dash out of the mud and into the pond.

 

I had no idea the turtle was there. There was another one in the pond that was floating while watching me, but he never made a move to come close.

 

So add snapping turtles to your list of alligators and water moccasins and be real careful as these large turtles blend in to their surroundings and you will not see them unless they move.

[Bird]

The wife and I were eating out on a deck over a big pond in Alabama watching alligators being fed.....they actually fled the scene when the GIANT alligator snappers showed up, they look intimidating. 

[dsw1204]

On 10/22/2019 at 6:23 AM, Sam said:

DSW, here is a P.S. to my original post.

 

I was fishing a Delaware pond and standing in one place for about  20 minutes catching some beauties and a bunch of dinks.

 

All of a sudden and to the right about 3 feet in the mud a snapping turtle made a dash out of the mud and into the pond.

 

I had no idea the turtle was there. There was another one in the pond that was floating while watching me, but he never made a move to come close.

 

So add snapping turtles to your list of alligators and water moccasins and be real careful as these large turtles blend in to their surroundings and you will not see them unless they move.

I wish I would get notifications when someone posts to this thread, but I don't.  There's been some good posts since I last viewed this thread.

 

I never considered a snapping turtle to be something to be worried about.  They don't actually attack people, do they?

[Sam]

1 hour ago, dsw1204 said:

I wish I would get notifications when someone posts to this thread, but I don't.  There's been some good posts since I last viewed this thread.

 

I never considered a snapping turtle to be something to be worried about.  They don't actually attack people, do they?

They will defend themselves and they can extend their heads a long way from their bodies.

 

If you startle one and it lashes out and grabs your foot you are in a world of hurt.

[N Florida Mike]

Ive been around alligator snappers most of my life. I don’t fool with trying to get a hook out of their mouth. I don’t pick them up .            ( anymore) And I don’t ever wade fish with fish on a stringer in waters that have them. They will find you!

Other than that, you’ll be fine.