Gator Hunt report 3rd phase
Posted: September 11th, 2016, 10:08 pm
A week ago during the 3rd week of gator season, my son Casey & I hooked up with our nephew James who knows well the Upper St Johns River Basin where our gator permit were for. Once High School was out on Friday we headed south to Palm Bay, FL. After sunset we headed out and started looking for gators. We hooked and brought to the boat three gators ranging from 7 to almost 9 foot but we were holding out for a 10 footer. Towards the end of the morning we finally hooked into a good gator but as we started to work it the braid parted and we lost it before we could put a second hook into it.
The second night we decided to start later and hunt till daylight. At midnight as we were getting ready to head out there was a large storm heading to our hunt area so stayed home but by 0230 hrs it dissipated and we headed out. The first gator we brought to the boat (~ 0600 hrs) was a good gator and we decided to work it up.
Starting out
Primitive harpoon but it works (we have two)
Gators we released
It’s easy to let slack into the line and with the back of the harpoon pole push out the weighted treble
Snagged in the foot this one was difficult to bring to bring up until we got a second line in it. We decided that we would take this one.
Harpoon in
Business end…..
357 caliber bangstick ready
Not cooperating
Banged
Great harpoon shot
Tagged
Sweet!!
James (left) & Casey with Casey’s largest to date….9 foot 5 inches
That’s his braces smile…..
Anytime you can do outdoor adventures with your kid (s) it’s a good thing!
Hoo Yah!!
Brian
The second night we decided to start later and hunt till daylight. At midnight as we were getting ready to head out there was a large storm heading to our hunt area so stayed home but by 0230 hrs it dissipated and we headed out. The first gator we brought to the boat (~ 0600 hrs) was a good gator and we decided to work it up.
Starting out
Primitive harpoon but it works (we have two)
Gators we released
It’s easy to let slack into the line and with the back of the harpoon pole push out the weighted treble
Snagged in the foot this one was difficult to bring to bring up until we got a second line in it. We decided that we would take this one.
Harpoon in
Business end…..
357 caliber bangstick ready
Not cooperating
Banged
Great harpoon shot
Tagged
Sweet!!
James (left) & Casey with Casey’s largest to date….9 foot 5 inches
That’s his braces smile…..
Anytime you can do outdoor adventures with your kid (s) it’s a good thing!
Hoo Yah!!
Brian