Alligator fishing 2005 & gator hunt with the kids w/pics

[Big Bend Brian]

For the second time in as many years we drew an alligator tag for first phase Orange Lake just south of Gainesville, Florida (Sept 1-7). Besides my hunting partner EricT, on board was my neighbor Eric, and another friend, Jim, both of which had never gator hunted. Since EricT and myself don’t feel the need to take any more gators ourselves, we enjoy taking other people out to introduce them to a very unique hunt. Here is a brief summary and a few pictures of our hunt.

First night: We were greeted by…bugs, and lots of them. Fortunately they were just swarming and they were not of the biting variety. All night long we didn’t see any large gators. Since it was getting late we set out a bait to play with a 7 footer. After that, a few pictures were taken and the gator was released unharmed. Back at home by 4 a.m.

Second night: We hit a different part of the lake and managed a good eating sized male that went 8 foot 10 inches. After soaking a bait (rancid chicken) for 25 minutes the line got tight and the gator took some drag off the rod & reel. We then pulled the anchor and got the harpoons ready. With light tension on the bait line we pulled him up and called him a shooter. He then surged and dropped back down pulling the boat around and towed us briefly. The second time the gator came up Eric, my neighbor, hit him with the first harpoon and the gator thrashed around and took off a short distance. We then pulled him up again with the new harpoon line and Eric stuck him again. At this point, around midnight, a small boat pulled up with two guys, almost out of gas, a tad disoriented, and hoping for some help getting back to their ramp. We told them we’d help them after working the gator up. After a bit of rolling, thrashing, and biting, we pulled him up and Eric hit him with the 44 mag bangstick. We then pulled him back up, turned him over, taped his mouth, and hoisted his head to chisel the spine. After getting the gator in the boat we started to break down the gear when we noticed both harpoon tips were broken.

Before Eric stuck his gator I had told him when he hits the gator with the harpoon that he just didn’t want to stick the gator but that he should drive the point home like he’s trying to go through the gator. He took those words literally as he broke two 3/8 inch ss push points (carries the dart tip) on the gator. We worked our gator into the boat and then started escorting the lost guys to the ramp (they had no GPS). At the gator processor cooler, we saw a large bull gator that was almost 14 feet. That was an impressive animal, I later learned that it had been taken off of Lake Jessup. Back at home by 5 a.m.

Hunt with the kids: This evening we decided to our young kids out to show them first hand what it’s like on the lake when it’s dark and to show them some gators up close. At the ramp we loaded up Nicholas (9), Mathew (7), and Casey (6) in the 18 foot Go-Devil and hit the lake. Mixed in with harpoons, floats, a bangstick, spot lights, rancid chicken, and a gator rod was a good selection of Trail Mix, Doritos, candy, and drinks. Hopefully, enough to keep us out till around midnight (we came close). I don’t know who was more excited, the kids or us dads.

First up was cruising a portion of the lake’s southern boundary and enjoy the fading light on the lake. After dark, we used the spotlight to show them the large number of gators on the lake. They had a fun time yelling, “ There’s another one!â€

[birddog]

That looks like fun! Those kids will remember that for a long time.

[dbplug]

Brian, thanks. Neat story and report. Very nice pictures.

[catchin1]

Good report. looks like fun

[tin can]

Sounds like a lot of fun.

[RHTFISH]

Those lucky kids can't get that kind of education in books.

It would be fun to hear their accounts of the outing!


Thanks for sharing.

[rocket]

[wevans]

Those lucky kids can't get that kind of education in books.

It would be fun to hear their accounts of the outing!


Thanks for sharing.

I just imagine that every kid in school has heard their account by now That's a pretty goodun ya'll got but I prefer the 6 and under for my feed through

[mjsigns]

Nice pictures

Absolutely unforgettable experience for the younguns'...

[gatortrout]

I have always heard that shinning a light across a lake at night would send chills down your spine, especially at Talquin. I think it would be exciting, intense and down right scary hunting alligators. Sign me up!
Dang, I don't think I have ever seen so many bugs.

[GC]

Great story!! Great Pictures!! Thanks for sharing!