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Started By
Message
Is it safe to Yak around gators?
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:33 am
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:33 am
I am preparing to buy my first kayak and one of the places, close to my home, is loaded with both bass and gators. I have seen as many as 20 gators congregated in one area while in my boat. Is it safe to kayak around these suckers? I am sure I will be VERY nervous the first time I try this and wanted to hear from those with experience.
22
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:34 am to DanTiger
I have done it with no problems. Just don't run into one.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:36 am to DanTiger
What place are you referring to? it usually depends on daily boat traffic/what the gators are used too.
This post was edited on 2/11/14 at 11:36 am
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:36 am to DanTiger
They will run from you way before you get close enough.
99% of the time I am kayak fishing, there is a gator layed up near me.
99% of the time I am kayak fishing, there is a gator layed up near me.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:37 am to DanTiger
That would scare the shite out of me. 
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:37 am to DanTiger
I've kayaked by myself on the blind river. In one morning I saw 3 different gators. None of them seemed bothered by me.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:38 am to DanTiger
I've never had a problem
I've had them get curious before and get close, but I just slap my paddle on the water and they go away
I've had them get curious before and get close, but I just slap my paddle on the water and they go away
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:38 am to DanTiger
I've seen them get brave while fishing and come to close.
I wouldn't want to grab a fish out the water and have a big one grab my hand.
I've seen an alligator take a bass out of someone's hand before and that hilarious.
I wouldn't want to grab a fish out the water and have a big one grab my hand.
I've seen an alligator take a bass out of someone's hand before and that hilarious.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:38 am to DanTiger
I've done it a lot. First thing in the morning and at dusk they are out looking for food so you will see them moving around.
Never had an issues. Paddled through 30-35 of them one night around 11:00. Was nervous but it was ok.
One thing- they won't hear you coming and they will surface right next to you or in front of you. Don't panick. You will scare them as much as they scare you. they will react and splash you as they swim away. I've actually (accidentaly)hit one with my paddle as he surfaced next to me.
Never had an issues. Paddled through 30-35 of them one night around 11:00. Was nervous but it was ok.
One thing- they won't hear you coming and they will surface right next to you or in front of you. Don't panick. You will scare them as much as they scare you. they will react and splash you as they swim away. I've actually (accidentaly)hit one with my paddle as he surfaced next to me.
This post was edited on 2/11/14 at 11:46 am
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:41 am to DanTiger
Where are you fishing?
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:41 am to sushisucks
You'll be fine. I have been wade fishing with the all around. Nervous the first few times but got used to it after a while. Bigger issue was cottonmouths. I waded out of the water once and had one on the end of my stringer that was tied to my waste. Luckily the stringer was 11' long. I am sure I looked funny running around with 6 bass and a snake trailing behind me.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:42 am to DanTiger
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:47 am to DanTiger
Boy I worked with had his paddle bit by one. Never saw the gator before hand. Was sculling around with the paddle then wham-o. Freaked him out. Looked at his paddle, looked around all wtf like, saw about a 3' gator pop up behind him. I seent the paddle. Doubt a bigger one would do it though.
This post was edited on 2/11/14 at 11:48 am
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:59 am to DanTiger
just don't dangle your feet in the water to cool down.
The gators will chop them off.
The gators will chop them off.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 11:59 am to DanTiger
Pretty much every where I fish has gators. Depending on where they react differently. I can't get close to them if I wanted to in Delacroix, but they don't move when sunning 5 feet away in the cane bayou. I like to keep my distance but they seem to want to be further away from me than I them.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 12:05 pm to warr09
quote:
Bigger issue was cottonmouths
Salmon and I fished a rock jettie on the Red River one day. We counted 22 VISIBLE snakes, they were hanging out and using the water next to it for travel.
I have never felt like such a baby back bitch in my life
Posted on 2/11/14 at 12:08 pm to Polar Pop
keep a machete in the yak
Posted on 2/11/14 at 12:13 pm to Polar Pop
No way you can be any kind of a bitch with a moccasin involved. Steve Irwin used to pick up black mambas, cobras, common browns, rattlesnakes, anything with his hands. Then I saw an episode of him in Florida and he said something like:
"This is a cottonmouth, I don't like these snakes." And IIRC it either took him a while to pick it up or he used a stick or he wouldn't at all. Can't remember exactly but he was definitely timid.
"This is a cottonmouth, I don't like these snakes." And IIRC it either took him a while to pick it up or he used a stick or he wouldn't at all. Can't remember exactly but he was definitely timid.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 1:01 pm to sushisucks
quote:
Where are you fishing?
Near the Loyola exit in Kenner. There is a canal back there that grants access to all of the I-10 bridges and it is easy and fun to fish. Lots of bass that are easy to catch.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 1:02 pm to DanTiger
Is it hard to find? May have to go check it out one day.
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