quote:
I think I remember something about kayaks are not allowed at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge because of safety concerns due to number of large alligators there.

Forgive my ignorance, but how do you guys deal with the gators in those kayaks?! I saw a mention of Sampson's Cove above. Was out fishing in that area last week, in Sandy Cove to be exact, and we had 3 little guys hanging around us the entire time. Then, when we left, we spotted a huge one at the front corner where it connects into what's known as Bird Island Chute. We passed pretty close to it, and it didn't even flinch. Another one was trying to cut across right in front of us, looked like it could have possibly been blind, as both eyes were solid orange. Definitely some beautiful country out there...

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Posted by Honest Tune

Louisiana

Member since Dec 2011

15895 posts

Posted on 5/24/23 at 12:27 pm to Craw Dawg

quote:
Forgive my ignorance, but how do you guys deal with the gators in those kayaks?! I saw a mention of Sampson's Cove above. Was out fishing in that area last week, in Sandy Cove to be exact, and we had 3 little guys hanging around us the entire time. Then, when we left, we spotted a huge one at the front corner where it connects into what's known as Bird Island Chute. We passed pretty close to it, and it didn't even flinch. Another one was trying to cut across right in front of us, looked like it could have possibly been blind, as both eyes were solid orange. Definitely some beautiful country out there...

I counted 12 in the water with me one time off the Tchefuncte by T-Rivers in Madisonville… not in the river itself but in dredged canals running west off the river…they really have never bothered me and I actually like them being there, adds to the experience.

I’ve never run across a humongous bull either.

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Posted by AutoYes_Clown

Baton Rouge, LA

Member since Oct 2012

5184 posts

Posted on 5/24/23 at 1:38 pm to Craw Dawg

quote:
Forgive my ignorance, but how do you guys deal with the gators in those kayaks?! I saw a mention of Sampson's Cove above. Was out fishing in that area last week, in Sandy Cove to be exact, and we had 3 little guys hanging around us the entire time. Then, when we left, we spotted a huge one at the front corner where it connects into what's known as Bird Island Chute. We passed pretty close to it, and it didn't even flinch. Another one was trying to cut across right in front of us, looked like it could have possibly been blind, as both eyes were solid orange. Definitely some beautiful country out there...

I'm by far the leading expert, but I have a bit of experience around them. I've always treated the fresh water with alligators like salt water with sharks... no stringers, dead/bloody bait leaking all over, no feet dangling over, etc. The big ones tend to not be very bold (they don't grow that old being stupid). It's the bolder more curious young ones, and mommas that might give trouble. I've had a few younger ones swim slowly towards me, lure, or caught fish toward the boat. But they've never really been any threat. I've been around a few chirping young ones with a momma around making noise, but I've just left the area. I've never really remember any alligator troubls in mating season.

The scariest situation I've had with a gator while in kayak was at Lake Martin previously mentioned in this thread. Apparently, a 7' alligator was sitting on the bottom when I glided over it. It freaked out, bolted and slapped the bottom of the kayak with it's tail. It was so sudden, it scared the shite out of me. I stayed in the kayak but I lost a lot of gear.

BTW, the gators in Lake Martin are well fed. I took this photo while kayak fishing Lake Martin a few years ago. Checkout this absolute unit.