Double on Bass and Gators!

[N. Cook]

Capt. George and I were fishing LOX today....I was bringing a bass in when a five foot gator powered after it....George hollers....he's got a nice bass on too....I'm reeling like crazy trying to stay ahead of the gator...George hollers again and another gator is ripping toward his fish as well.....I get my fish in the air with a mad gator jumping for it at the side of the boat....unwanted shower....George out reels the gator as well but just before he reaches for the fish at the side of the boat another gator sweeps under the boat, jumps and has his fish......lucky not his hand and arm....quite a battle...I get an oar and while holding my fish out of range of one gator commence to bang the other one on the head every time George could get him in range....finally the gator drops the fish.....Georges tooth marked fish is the ineviable gator bait, but I am able to chunk mine out of their range.

Would have made a great action bit if I had my camera.

[Wilbur]

Sounds like an exciting trip! Whats up with the lizzards down there being so aggressive? Sounds like its a little overpopulated. Does the FWC issue harvest permits for gators in Lox?

[N. Cook]

Loxahatcee is a Federal Refuge and they are 100% protected....they have no fear.....and some grow to max lengths.....there were at least 30 within 50 yards of us at that particular spot...a lot of 5 footers...they tend to be very curious. I have seen them eat birds and fish.....and not too far from where we were fishing is were we duck hunt occasionally and both Capt. George and me had gators "eat" a decoy last year....

[DUCKWHACKER]

Newton, please tell me you don't wade that area for duck huntin' :00000039:

[Randy Clark]

really extra exciting bass fishing just catching the bass is not exciting enough for you?

[N. Cook]

I know of no one who wades in LOX.....but it is next to STA 1W, which is full of the same gators....and everyone wades there....with care!!!!

Secret of bass and gators......have a good drag on the reel, the gator will make a good first run every time with a nice half jump and shake of the head as he tries to swallow the fish. You have a short chance to yank the fish loose when he does the head shake....

[Wilbur]

Sounds like the voice of experience. How long did it take to perfect the technique?