Alligator season summary

rippin_lips · October 25, 2016, 01:01:07 PM

I have been exchanging messages with cone, and he has been nice enough to tell me about his hunting and lend me some positive words. I figured I would post a report here as well. This is my second season hunting big lizards in the swamps of east central florida. This is something my father and I have gotten into, as he gets older and older we try to find exciting things we can do together. For this years alligator season, we are still rookies but we have learned a lot and this season went much smoother than last year where we barely filled one of our two tags. Our first gator was a skinny 8 footer but it was still bigger than the one we harvested last year so we were on the right track. The hurricane really screwed things up, but this past Friday we got back out and filled our last tag. We were out on the farthest edge of our territory as the sun was going down when an airboat showed up and told us we needed to move our truck. Apparently the camp we launched our boat at was having haunted airboat rides and the place would be full of people in no time. We begrudgingly agreed to end our trip and head back. Shortly after beginning our drive back, as we entered one of the 3 lakes on the river chain I spotted a big black head and we stopped the boat. After 2 or 3 tries casting with a snatch hook I had an alligator on the line. We wore it out quick and after an amazing turn of luck, landed a blind harpoon throw right as the snatch hook came loose and flew up into the air. We dispatched the gator and headed back to the ramp before dark with a 9 foot gator in the boat. Gator hunting is NOT easy, and this being our third gator ever harvested a 9 footer was great. For casting the snatch hooks I used a Fin Nor lethal 60 with 40 lb J-braid on an 8 foot star rod stellar lite 15-25lb heavy/fast action rod. I was impressed with this setup. I will try to upload a picture or two from my phone, although it will not be as impressive as cone's 12 foot beast

. Now maybe I will have time to work on some fishing reels, BUT fall fishing is about to heat up as the weather cools down.

Tiddlerbasher · October 25, 2016, 01:14:18 PM

Thanks for sharing - Big lizard hunting is something I'll probably never do - But I still enjoyed the report

Bryan Young · October 25, 2016, 01:17:30 PM

Thank you for taking us along. I also will not likely join in any alligator hunt on purpose, but sounds really exciting.

Steve-O · October 25, 2016, 02:48:16 PM

Congrats on a successful season! Thanks for sharing with us that you're enjoying and learning the finer aspects of dino-lizard hunting.

While I have seen quite a few gators back in NC along the coast and especially good numbers around the battleship park in Wilmington....

http://www.battleshipnc.com/

see rules #9 and #12...they probably coincide with each other...and probably #13, too.

VISITOR SAFETY INFORMATION
» No Running!
» Maintain control of children at all times
» Flat, soft-sole shoes are recommended
» Watch where you step at all times
» Stay on the tour route at all times – Obey all signs
» Pace yourself and stay hydrated
» Use two hands on rails while climbing stairs
» Use each step on stairs – No jumping or sliding on rails
» Do not lean over the side of the ship
» Stay inside the ship during severe weather & lightning
» Do not tour while under the influence of drugs/alcohol
» Beware of alligators and other wildlife
» It is against the law to swim, fish or disturb wildlife on historic state property
» Report any dangers to the Battleship Staff

...The only hunting for gators I will be doing is for seconds when the plate is passed around the table.

Cone · October 25, 2016, 08:31:49 PM

Joey, I'd love to see your pics. Gator hunting is hard but I enjoy being on the river at night even if I don't catch one. Catch one and your hooked. You and dad will keep doing better and better. Way to get her done!
Bob

alantani · October 25, 2016, 08:35:17 PM

i say this with the deepest respect. you guys are nuts!

exp2000 · October 25, 2016, 09:00:28 PM

We used to walk by the odd resident croc on the way to the work boat when I was diving on pearl farms in remote locations.

They can get pretty big down here.
~

thorhammer · October 25, 2016, 09:02:18 PM

Saw plenty when I lived in Wilmington including one around my boat in the saltwater marina one morning. My buddies were skeptical until the news reported it in a woman's garage later that morning 200 yds. From boat. Animal control removed it. If it's in my garage it's fair game and I'm calling the bootmaker; just saying.

Not wrasslin gators in the dark. Naw. Y'all have at it but keep those pics coming!!!

David Hall · October 25, 2016, 09:06:57 PM

Now that's a croc!

mizmo67 · October 26, 2016, 09:55:47 PM

Wow, that is an Australian croc, I assume? Scary huge!

I have an alligator tooth on my keychain that was a gift from one of you crazy guys down there, who bought some parts from us.
Love the thing

Zimbass · October 27, 2016, 03:34:13 AM

Actually that is a picture of a Nile crocodile here in Zimbabwe. It was 13'6" but some clever photography made it look over 20' !!

Shot by a man I know, as the animal was killing the locals cattle. Funny how these things pop up on so many different web sites with different titles.

Cheers.

Terry.

exp2000 · October 27, 2016, 05:58:35 AM

Quote from: Zimbass on October 27, 2016, 03:34:13 AM
Actually that is a picture of a Nile crocodile here in Zimbabwe. It was 13'6" but some clever photography made it look over 20' !!

Shot by a man I know, as the animal was killing the locals cattle. Funny how these things pop up on so many different web sites with different titles.

Cheers.

Terry.

Damn! Fooled again. You just can't trust anything on the net lol.
~

exp2000 · October 27, 2016, 06:46:56 AM

OK. Here's a real up close and personal for your next holiday

rippin_lips · October 27, 2016, 11:24:31 AM

Quote from: mizmo67 on October 26, 2016, 09:55:47 PM
Wow, that is an Australian croc, I assume? Scary huge!

I have an alligator tooth on my keychain that was a gift from one of you crazy guys down there, who bought some parts from us.
Love the thing

I have a skull on my desk at work from my first gator. I also have the feet. I saved some 357 shells from the bangstick and I'm going to epoxy in a tooth or claw and make a keychain.

Swami805 · October 27, 2016, 12:30:15 PM

I lived in Houston Tx briefly and our nextdoor neighbor had about a 7'er for a pet in the backyard. It would lay in the sun and get dried out and look like a mossy statue or something. I'd see it over the fence and think they moved the statue again, I'm a city boy from Cali, what do I know. They got a good chuckle out of that when I told them. They had a yippy little annoying poodle in the yard too, why that gator never ate that thing I'll never know.
Had alligator chilli a few times, really good.
That looks like a great way to spend the weekends and a rewarding pastime, especially spending time with your dad. Good going on that gator.