Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
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Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
Good friend of mine and his 15 year old son were shooting mullet in a creek behind Grassy, south of Keaton yesterday (7.5.12) when a 9 and 1/2 foot gator took a nip at his son. Thank god - someone was watching over him as he only received light scratches on his chest and back... pretty sure he walked on water back to the boat.
A quick call to FWC for permission - and the retrieval of a gun, and we have a new king of the swamp... friend said the water wasn't too stained - son said all the sudden felt a scratching on his back, he thought it was a shark grabbing at his bag of fish and threw an elbow. Be careful out there- think I may me done swimming those creeks for a while. (22" foot bay boat)
A quick call to FWC for permission - and the retrieval of a gun, and we have a new king of the swamp... friend said the water wasn't too stained - son said all the sudden felt a scratching on his back, he thought it was a shark grabbing at his bag of fish and threw an elbow. Be careful out there- think I may me done swimming those creeks for a while. (22" foot bay boat)
Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
Looks like the gator is missin most of his teeth ta me! That's one lucky youngun right there!!
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Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
Glad to hear nobody was hurt (except the gator), but when you play in their element you're flirting with disaster. I've seen gators cruising a half-mile offshore on the flats this time of year and it's unusual to NOT see one when you look down at the bottom on the deeper creek mouths on incoming tides. Gators are an equal-opportunity predator. They'll scarf down birds, redfish, turtles and even teenagers if given a chance.
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Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
Carrying a bag of fish? That's not safe at all... especially when wading. Thankful no one was hurt.
Keep our fish stock strong... Release more fish...
Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
Dayum !!!! Glad he ain't around anymore !
JW
<'(((<
2001 Carolina Skiff 1655V
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<'(((<
2001 Carolina Skiff 1655V
2001 40 HP Yamaha
Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
WOW! You meant to say he was scalloping right
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Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
Nice catch.....Glad it all worked out well. Can anyone comment on any laws or requirements of having a gun onboard the boat? I was recently checked by the Coast Guard while fishing out of Ft Morgan, Al and they stated that you needed a CCW. Sounded like a bit of a stretch to me. I had a friend that always carried a handgun onboard his boat. Hunters don't need one to have a gun in the boat so whats the deal?
I don't know when I'm gonna catch my next fish but I know when I do it's gonna be awesome!
Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
At least in FL waters, the state law says quite clearly you may open carry a handgun while hunting or fishing. If you have a CCW you can carry it concealed.neckmoe wrote:Nice catch.....Glad it all worked out well. Can anyone comment on any laws or requirements of having a gun onboard the boat? I was recently checked by the Coast Guard while fishing out of Ft Morgan, Al and they stated that you needed a CCW. Sounded like a bit of a stretch to me. I had a friend that always carried a handgun onboard his boat. Hunters don't need one to have a gun in the boat so whats the deal?
It's a good idea to have a copy of the law handy because it's not uncommon for various law enforcement agents to not actually know the laws they are supposed to be enforcing... Been there, done that.
I'm honestly surprised they let you shoot it, that makes way too much sense for FWC
Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
trying to run the scallopers off ehbman wrote:You meant to say he was scalloping right
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Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
FWC asked us if we had a firearm on board last time we were checked at St Marks. We said we did not. My brother asked him if it was legal and the guy said "Oh, yeah, it is legal, we just like to ask if there is one onboard when we first start talking". We were not alking specifics about handguns or shotguns, so don't quote me on this.
I gotta say that totally shocks me that he was allowed to harvest that alligator. Is he LEO?
I gotta say that totally shocks me that he was allowed to harvest that alligator. Is he LEO?
Ducks, turkeys, flats fishing. Who has time for golf?
Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
Choot'em!!
Kids that hunt and fish don't steal and deal!!
Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
Glad to hear no one was seriously hurt
Time is the most precious commodity we have in life, stay focused.
Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
in the state of florida your allowed to open carry when your engaged in outdoor activities, (fishing, hunting, camping, hiking) or going to and from.
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Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
Just get a CCL
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Re: Careful Spearfishing with All this Freshwater
Dang Chris!!! That's crazy.
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