SNAPPING TURTLES...

[lee c]

Now someone give me an honest opinion...I have a silly fear of these big,ugly buggers...I like to sometimes float tube while I bass fish.My concern in..well,getting bit!!! I know there's probably little chance,other than a defensive bite on the turtles behalf. Anyone out there have a horror story about tubin' and turtles..if so,I'd like to hear 'em. Meanwhile I will stick to fishing in my bass boat!!!

[Grey Wolf]

As long as your worm is properly hidden , you'll be ok.

[A-Jay]

This dinosaur was one of the larger specimens we've encountered. He followed us half the morning about 3-5 feet from the canoe. This guy was determined to get our baits as they came by. He did not but it was not for a lack of effort on his part. We were very glad we were not in the float tubes that morning.

A-Jay

[Sam]

Big one in local pond knows that I bring stuff to feed him so he shows up, has his snack and then vanishes.

I am somewhat concerned about getting in the pond in my raft. He has never bothered me but who knows? He is a wild animal.

I think that if you leave them alone they will leave you alone.

Only problem is that they do not read our posts. 

[Paul Roberts]

OK...I purposely didn't tell you this story...but I did once meet an aggressive snapper. I fended him off with a stick while I fished the spot. I was on shore and this was an aggressive individual and probably some breeding territorial thing going on. I've seen, caught, played with, and even eaten, a lot of snappers in my time, and never had a problem. The one mentioned wasn't even a problem. If had been in my tube I'd have simply pushed him away, or kicked away from the area if I really had to.

Snappers are generally reclusive, and downright easily spooked.

No turtle has ever kept me from fishing.

[boneil]

you're not alone with this fear.  I've seen snapping turtles big enough to take your leg off, thats why I fish from my boat.

[Danonboat]

My friend went to retrieve a lure for his little brother when they were kids. When he stepped into the pond a snapper bit his pinky toe and almost took it off. He still has the toe but he doesn't touch fish or go in anything other than his pool. I'm not  quite sure of the relation from touching fish and the turtle but he claims its there. All I know is he is scared of going overboard and I take his fish off the lure for him.

[timothy_spain]

i don't think a snapping turtle would just nip you for no reason.  if anything, they'd be spooked and take off before you even know it ..