LWD Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Just google it. There have been zero fatalities by gators to people in boats or kayaks. Having seen a 12' gator in nature close by doing it's own thing going it's own way. Nothing to be afraid of at all. Just a bunch of fear exaggeration to me. Quote
Bass Meister Posted July 3, 2011 Author Posted July 3, 2011 Just google it. There have been zero fatalities by gators to people in boats or kayaks. Having seen a 12' gator in nature close by doing it's own thing going it's own way. Nothing to be afraid of at all. Just a bunch of fear exaggeration to me. I'm over it now. I really dont think it was fear, more startled than anything....and seeing one that close was amazing but unexpected just the same. Quote
Super User South FLA Posted July 4, 2011 Super User Posted July 4, 2011 I had my share of of conflicts with gators such as charge my jon boat, try to come up on the back of my Ranger after I landed a fish, charged and bite my trolling motor, attack my Spro frog out of nowhere, hit a T-rigged worm (ask Dwight), attack a mud fish while reeling it to the boat, and snag a spinner-bait all were most likely fed by people or were being territorially aggressive. The largest one was easily over 10' on the Stick Marsh. At the Loxahatchee Refuge some are aggressive and some have been known to follow my boat around and charge the boat especially if I am the process of landing a struggling fish! I challenge the most MACHO man on the forum to go in a kayak or a low free board boat such as the Pelican Raider to fish some areas I fish without having a major life threatening experience. So to answer your question you need to be concerned especially if gators are not hunted or pursued as game and have either been fed by humans or looked at humans as a feeding opportunity and there is know way of knowing until you actually encounter it. Quote
Bass Meister Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 I had my share of of conflicts with gators such as charge my jon boat, try to come up on the back of my Ranger after I landed a fish, charged and bite my trolling motor, attack my Spro frog out of nowhere, hit a T-rigged worm (ask Dwight), attack a mud fish while reeling it to the boat, and snag a spinner-bait all were most likely fed by people or were being territorially aggressive. The largest one was easily over 10' on the Stick Marsh. At the Loxahatchee Refuge some are aggressive and some have been known to follow my boat around and charge the boat especially if I am the process of landing a struggling fish! I challenge the most MACHO man on the forum to go in a kayak or a low free board boat such as the Pelican Raider to fish some areas I fish without having a major life threatening experience. So to answer your question you need to be concerned especially if gators are not hunted or pursued as game and have either been fed by humans or looked at humans as a feeding opportunity and there is know way of knowing until you actually encounter it. Love the gallery. I lived in Fla for 10 yrs & was a guide out of Tampa. Okeechobee is known for its "Pigs". I'm sorry to see, though, that you caught a few puny ones inder 9lbs. Hope you gain knowledge that will lead to the truth: bragging rights begin @ 10 lbs and end @ 25. Quote
Super User South FLA Posted July 4, 2011 Super User Posted July 4, 2011 Love the gallery. I lived in Fla for 10 yrs & was a guide out of Tampa. Okeechobee is known for its "Pigs". I'm sorry to see, though, that you caught a few puny ones inder 9lbs. Hope you gain knowledge that will lead to the truth: bragging rights begin @ 10 lbs and end @ 25. At least I have two over 10lbs .....if I only lived in Texas or would use LIVE BAIT! Did you guide out of Lake Port? I use to hire Steve Daniels back in the late 80s/early90s when family came down. Quote
Bass Meister Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 At least I have two over 10lbs .....if I only lived in Texas or would use LIVE BAIT! Did you guide out of Lake Port? I use to hire Steve Daniels back in the late 80s/early90s when family came down. I used to guide out of Lake Thonotosassa in Hillsborough County for freshwater & Hudson marina for Salt water fishing. I also had my own 57' commercial grouper boat. All of this was over a span of 10 yrs. I'm truly happy about your 10 lbers. I hope someday I can get back into catching small ones like that. My arms and back are beginning to show signs of fatigue catchin' the big bass. hahahahahahahahaha Quote
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