I am a little concerned!

[TnRiver46]

2 hours 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?

Only when you stick something in their mouth. My 85 year old grandma used to carry them back to the creek on a shovel, I think you’ll be ok 

[Oregon Native]

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.

I saw on one of the ranger shows a rattle snake in maine.....was shocked....it/was it true

[MN Fisher]

13 minutes ago, Oregon Native said:

I saw on one of the ranger shows a rattle snake in maine.....was shocked....it/was it true

I wouldn't doubt it - we have Timber Rattlers in SE Minnesota.

[Bird]

This thread leads me to a question. 

 

Couldn't tell you how many times over the years a beaver swims up close to my boat and smacks his tail, happens a lot while night fishing and can be quite startling. 

 

You think this is an act of aggression  ?

 

 

[DanielG]

1 hour ago, Oregon Native said:

I saw on one of the ranger shows a rattle snake in maine.....was shocked....it/was it true

Yes, but whenever it happens it's because it traveled in a camper or from someones terrarium collection to the wild. We've had anacondas too. But they don't get up here otherwise and they don't get very far into the winter for sure.

 

We do have noseeums though. Teeny black flies. I've heard of guys fishing up in northern Maine in June and having to get in the water up to their necks and hold onto the canoe side just to survive. I've seen a guy I work with come back to work with millions of  black dots on his skin from the bites after a long fishing trip. In the rest of Maine they are a minor problem though. Very thankful for that.

[dsw1204]

Well, I decided not to worry too much about the snakes and alligators.  I've been told I will probably see most alligators if I just keep aware.  The snakes, however, are just a little different in that they can be pretty hard to see if the grass is just a little bit high.

 

So, I just went a purchased a pair of snake boots and not worry (too much) about those critters and just enjoy the fishing when I am down there visiting.  I think I've put way too much thought into the critters that might bite/eat me and instead, I will just enjoy the thoughts of hooking an eight to ten pound largemouth.

 

Other than largemouth, what other kind of fish can I expect to catch in the small to medium size ponds in the suburbs of Tampa?

[Don51]

Tilapia, gar (like a pickerel) Mayan cichlid (an invasive panfish) maybe some crappie. The variety isn't here like it is up north. Up there if the bass weren't biting I could switch gears and target something else. Not so much down here! ?

[N Florida Mike]

Lots of bream and catfish too, besides largemouths. Be careful with mudfish( bowfin) or gars . Toothy critters!

You might try the saltwater fishing too if you’re near the gulf.

[Don51]

Just don't get your expectations too high! Florida fishing is nothing like the fishing shows make it out to be. Trophy bass are just as elusive here as they are in any other part of the country!

[Oregon Native]

19 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I wouldn't doubt it - we have Timber Rattlers in SE Minnesota.

!@#$  @!@#$

[TnRiver46]

20 hours ago, Bird said:

This thread leads me to a question. 

 

Couldn't tell you how many times over the years a beaver swims up close to my boat and smacks his tail, happens a lot while night fishing and can be quite startling. 

 

You think this is an act of aggression  ?

 

 

Only the beaver knows for sure...... nah they do that all the time, warning the rest of the beavers that you are there 

[Don51]

He is warning YOU that HE is there! ?

[gnappi]

I've hunted and fished South Florida since 1977 and I've seen one water moccasin basking in the dirt roadway I was walking on, zero rattlers, most other snakes I've seen were in gardens and none were venomous. 

 

I  guess there are those who have seen them but from my experience it's rare. 

 

I've seen many gators, and the last two summers were the first any ever took one of my frogs. 

 

[N Florida Mike]

I grew up in N Florida all my life and have seen numerous moccasins, a few diamondbacks , and a copperhead. Many of the moccasins were in the st Johns river system and most of the rest in lakes. Seems like anywhere with cypress trees around. Diamondbacks relate the most to palmettos.

You also have to watch for big hornet nests on trees along creeks and rivers. 

[Don51]

And don't forget the fire ants!  ?

[dsw1204]

On 12/21/2019 at 5:36 PM, N Florida Mike said:

Lots of bream and catfish too, besides largemouths. Be careful with mudfish( bowfin) or gars . Toothy critters!

You might try the saltwater fishing too if you’re near the gulf.

Am planning to do a day of deep sea fishing.  Have no idea how that is going to go, but do look forward to it.  Should be fun!

[N Florida Mike]

Party boat fishing? Bottom fishing? I love doing that.  Have fun!

[DINK WHISPERER]

Out of everything named the only real worry are Gators. They can be vicious and they aren't afraid of much. I've had a couple scary encounters and now I don't go out to my remote spots anywhere without adequate protection on me. There are even huge black bears here in Lake Placid. There are also a lot of water moccasins too. I wear high boots to try and lessen the impact in case of a bite. 

No matter what anyone tells you NO fish is worth your well being. Don't be afraid to hit those sweet spots but be smart and safe about it.

 

Happy New year bass resource fam!!!!!

[Don51]

Those "vicious" gators you speak of must be getting fed! The only aggressive gators I have encountered involved a mother with babies. I have found 90% of them want nothing to do with you!

[N Florida Mike]

1 hour ago, Don51 said:

Those "vicious" gators you speak of must be getting fed! The only aggressive gators I have encountered involved a mother with babies. I have found 90% of them want nothing to do with you!

I agree. 

[dsw1204]

Well, I bought a pair of Rocky S2V Waterproof Tactical Snake Boots, so I am not now "overly" afraid of the snakes when I hit the ponds of Tampa...well, the suburbs of Tampa.  I will try to remember to keep myself aware of my surroundings and I think I will be fine.  I don't have the fear of gators like I do of snakes, so I will be going in pretty much fear-free.  Will just have to be a little careful when reaching down to my tackle bag laying on the ground.

[Don51]

Just constantly be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine! I moved down from the north and it becomes second nature after awhile. 

[dsw1204]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the advice and all the info.  It was all helpful and informative.  I have been back from my Florida trip for about a month, now, and the fishing was fantastic!!  My previous PB was 5lbs.  That is history, now.  I caught numerous bass over 4lbs and a 5 1/2 pounder and a 6.39 pounder.

 

Didn't see any snakes.  Did see numerous alligators, although.  Well, really only 3 but, one did come within about 30 feet from me and watched me fish for about an hour.  I kept a close eye on him, but he never got any closer.  Even caught a couple of fish (one a 4.5 lb bass) while he watched and but never attempted to get any closer.

 

I did experience something a little different while I was there...baitballs, lots of them.  I was standing on the bank and all of a sudden lots of little fish were jumping out of the water (and, of course, landing back in the water).  The first baitball passed from my left to my right.  I did not know what it was, at first.  It was quiet outside and happened just after dawn.  It was kind of spooky, at first.  I did not know what was going on for the first few moments.  But, did figure it out by the time the first one passed me.  I was throwing a Sweet Beaver and when the second one came by (a few minutes later) I tried throwing the Beaver at the baitball, seeing if I could get a hit.  But, nothing.  A total of four baitballs passed by me over a 10-15 minute period and I got no hits on the Beaver.

 

This happened not just one day, but three of the days I was there.  The last day, I just happened to be throwing a Whopper Plopper in the Phantom Shad color.  I tossed it just behind one of the baitballs and a 5 1/2 pounder got hooked.  Next year when I am there, I will be throwing Ploppers early in the morning just in case more baitballs come my way.  But, boy, what a neat experience!

 

After fishing in Ohio, it seemed like I was cheating fishing in Florida, I was so successful.  I am already waiting in anticipation for my visit to Florida next spring!