Turtle dilemma

[FloridaMadness]

So it’s summer here in Florida which means most of the lakes are extremely shallow. The only place that isn’t shallow also holds big bass. But now since it’s summer the turtles come out. Whenever I’m fishing (live bluegill) they try and steal it. Usually they spit it out at me but it would be a real hassle if I catch a giant soft shell snapping turtle. I’ve read somewhere to avoid fishing where turtles. However this is the only spot left that isn’t almost dried up. Do I just try and fish with the turtles or do I find another spot

[Bluebasser86]

What's a soft shell snapping turtle?? 

 

Find someone that likes to eat them and start giving them away. I use to catch big snappers on setlines for catfish. Found a guy that liked to eat them and would give them away to him every time I'd catch one. It happened way less often after that. 

[ATA]

I cant think of eating them as much as I cant think of eating bass, Its like sin in my mind. Since I am turtle guy and we have turtle pet and thinking to have one more when we have our own home.  His name is Luigi

[Biglittle8]

I've got one on a jerkbait and one on a wacky rig this season. (Truth) Hoping to beat my P.B. soon! Might switch to a topwater. ? Keep fishing and enjoy yourself!

[gunsinger]

Just one for me….on a jig. 

[Bluebasser86]

I've caught a bunch of turtles on lures. Snapping turtles are funny to mess with if you can see them and watch them stalking a bait, just as long as they don't catch it.  The Kansas River must have millions of softshell turtles in it that love to grab cut bait and try to steal it off the hook. Occasionally one will get the bait down and I have to deal with them. They've got a nasty attitude and are way faster than a turtle should be. They're never big ones, just dinner plate sized. When I do catch one, I'm usually with my boys, I'll walk it way up the bank and set it down so it has to run back to the water. They think it's really funny how fast they are. 

[Smells like fish]

I got on a turtle kick a few years back and caught and cleaned either 25 or 27 in a few weeks time. That completely burned me out on fooling with them,how ever a lil fried turtle does sound good! We always took it a step farther and deboned the meat before frying. We called it popcorn turtle ?

[Smells like fish]

I blame this thread for yesterday’s happenings… Texas rig turtle foul hooked… 

[Bluebasser86]

12 hours ago, Smells like fish said:

I blame this thread for yesterday’s happenings… Texas rig turtle foul hooked… 

I posted a picture of myself holding a snapper like this once and got jumped on by someone because it wasn't the proper way to hold them and apparently I could injure or kill the turtle because it's part of their spine ? I told them next time I'll call him so he can lip it while I take the hook out ?  The guy down from us wanted it to eat, I don't think a spine injury was going to be an issue for that turtle for long anyways.

 

 

[Smells like fish]

I thought of that very remark when I posted lol

[galyonj]

On 6/14/2021 at 1:10 AM, ATA said:

His name is Luigi

 

I demand more pictures of Luigi.

[Smells like fish]

[HaydenS]

On 6/16/2021 at 10:54 AM, Smells like fish said:

I blame this thread for yesterday’s happenings… Texas rig turtle foul hooked… 

Same thing happened to me today, except mine was 2-3 times as big... Never hooked a turtle before reading this thread, right in the tail, but thankfully popped off right at the boat.  I was fishing a private pond, and this pond has the biggest snapping turtles I've ever seen. 

[Bluebasser86]

I haven't caught one for a minute while fishing for bass, so I'm probably due.

 

[N Florida Mike]

I was using shiners once at a pond. I caught a 10 pound soft shell or so. I had hooked him right at the tip of his mouth at the very end of the the snout. I thought it would be easy to un hook. It wasnt.

That sucker snapped so fast and knicked my thumb , lots of blood. I just threw him back then, with the hook still in the snout.

My grandson was around 3 and said “ Gampaw I dont like bite ( biting ) turtles.

Lets go home.

A week later I went back and caught a 7 pound bass in the same spot...

Ive never caught a turtle on an artificial bait. I’d try that.