Wildlife encounters 2024

BassNub reply :

I'm just curious for you guys that fish in the southern part of the states. How often do you guys encounter alligators or other sort of dangerous animals? I'm from Michigan so, closes thing to me is probably water snakes only. I've always wondered about this, let me know your experiences.

BassinBoy reply :

Im the same as you because im from Pennsylvania. Im constatly watching my step for copperheads and water moccasins when I fish ponds.

Wesley reply :

You see them but not as often as you would imagine, they are smart enough to associate boats with something they dont want to mess with so they tend to stay away. Occasionaly you will see one sunning in the backs of sloughs or creeks.

SnowBass23 reply :

I'm in southern Alabama, and I fish from both kayak and a bass boat. When we are in kayaks, which is typically in smaller waters (creaks, rivers, smaller ponds) we see a ton of water snakes. Some that are harmless and then others like mocassins (sp?). You just have to be prepared for it and pay attention to what you are doing. In the boat I occasionally see them but much less than in the kayak.

I went wadeing with a buddy once and we caught 54 LMB during the day. The whole time I was paying careful attention and watching every step. At the end of the day, I changed to flip flops as we loaded up the vehicles. I suddenly looked down and realized that 2 or 3 times I had stumbled past a copperhead that was laying on the ground with its mouth open, hissing at me. I so easily could have stepped on it just by being careless. You just gotta keep your head and pay attention.

Wesley reply :

You definatly have to watch your step when fishing from the bank or wadeing down south. Good situational awareness is key. Cotton mouths are very territorial and they will come after you if they are having a bad day which could make your day bad as well.

Mottfia reply :

When I'm wading creeks with the guys there is not a day that we don't encounter a few snakes. They are incredible common. We have ran across one gator while wading but when fishing the river we see EVERYTHING. Gators and snakes are everywhere once you get in the backwater. But thats a typical river system to me. Now I've got to say that I rarely see anything like that on major lakes, exception being Eufaula.

daviscw reply :

None here in western NC. They have a few on the coast though.

Jimzee reply :

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Im the same as you because im from Pennsylvania. Im constatly watching my step for copperheads and water moccasins when I fish ponds.

You're probably not going to have to worry about those in PA.

IDbasser reply :

When i grew up in Arkansas we would fish this particular place that there would always be a gator surface and float behind the boat. We would just hit TM and make a little distance, and continue fishing. This place was a flipping paradise for those who like to flip. I do not know what it is like anymore.

Catt reply :

I fish and hunt all over the marshes and swamps of Southwest Louisiana where some of the best honey holes are only accessible by foot. Most generally snakes and gators will not bother you unless you take them by surprise, you just have to pay close attention to where you are walking and once you stop listen for certain noises, look for grass movements, and generally scan the area.

Gators do love spinner baits & Johnson Spoons or any top water bait for that matter following all the way back to you; my suggestion is a fast retrieve and depending on the size of the gator an even faster retreat.

Water Moccasins and Cottonmouths are a greater concern to me since those sneaky suckers can appear out of nowhere.

Here is one I ran into last year will bank fishing with grass about chest high

fishfordollars reply :

Lots of them on all our lakes and creeks. Normanally you will not see most unless you get into the backs of the creeks or up the rivers. They are no problem unless you start pressuring them or jacking with them. Then they will either sink down or move away.

The smaller ones seem to have no fear of a boat(Yet) and will destroy a buzzbait. We have actually had a young one(1 1/2 ft) on Lake Livingston set up under the bow of the boat and race out to attack a surface lure. Problem here would be worrying about the mother and where she might be.

Never had a problem with a gator. Snakes thought are another issue. Have had to fight several off that attempted to climb into the boat over the years.

fishinfiend reply :

During the warmer months, snakes are a constant threat when I am fishing from the bank. There is one man that lets me fish his pond who shot 27 copperheads last April. He got well over 100 for the year. He got a few cotton mouths around 4' and a 5' rattler, too.

If I am fishing from a boat and get hung up in the trees, I shake the branches VERY well before getting close to the branches to keep snakes from falling in the boat. It only takes once to learn that lesson.

No problems with gators, yet.

roadwarrior reply :

How 'bout guys from Rhode Island, does that count?

BARON49_Northern NY reply :

Fishing down South and seeing all the wildlife is one of the things I look forward to each year. Gators are all over the place. A few years ago I fished Rodman Res. Got some great pictures of some HUGE gators. Snakes are every where and a little common sense when fishing under willow trees in needed. Cottonmouths are sneaky critters and give no warning.

With all that aside the birds in Florida come in all sizes and shapes and colors. It would be quite easy to forget about fishing at times just to watch all the activities of the birds and wild life. Actually got close up to a beautiful bald Eagle and did not have the presence of mind to take a picture. Was fishing in a small canal last year off one of the smaller lakes and got to see some wild boars rutting around and deer are quite plentiful as well.

Raul reply :

Where I live there ain 't no gators, coons and coyotes for sure, skunks, you need to be very unlucky to "encounter" a skunk when you can actually smell it a mile away but it can happen, rattlesnakes are quite common, it 's the lil critters what make life intersting around here like them darned fire ants are everywhere >, those red wasps with more fire power than a Longbow helicopter with an attitude , those black bumble bees with enough fire power to make a C130 Spectre feel humble, those wolly caterpillars that look like a porcupine and just to round up our hot climates = hot bugs we 've got scorpions.

Add to that the ever present thorny vegetation of all sorts.

jimmieO reply :

I saw my first gator in the wild the first time I fished Eufaula at the end of November. It was awesome. Couldn't believe what I was seeing. Didn't know how to act....how close could i get...did i need to stay far away....we decided to troll over to about 10 yards away and just check him out. It was awesome (and a little creepy) that he would just come up to the top of the water and not move for minutes at a time, then he would submerge for 10 seconds and reappear 30 yards away.

The snakes creep me out. See them all the time during the warm months. Reminds me of that dang Bill Dance video where the snake falls out of the tree every time.

skronky reply :

I spend a lot of time flipping over rocks and logs if the fish aren't biting. I'm in central Oklahoma so there aren't any dangerous water snakes for a long way east or south. However, due to popular belief, EVERY water snake seen by EVERY fisherman I know is a cottonmouth, even though their range is nowhere near central Oklahoma (as long as you are looking at a state range map, not a map of the entire south). There are a lot of water snakes around here in virtually every body of water. They do a good job keeping the place clean, eating weak, dying, or dead fish. They really help to keep disease in check and make the fishing better.

So my favorite thing to do when a water snake pops up and everyone starts freaking out is to ****** it up quickly. If there are any old timers around they start wining and moaning, explaining that the water snake is in fact a cottonmouth, and then they start making up stuff about the ways they can tell. If they won't still won't listen to the truth, I'll usually grab the snake by the tail and let it sink its teeth into my forearm (its not any worse than getting bit by a flathead while noodling). I just laugh as blood runs down my wrists and the old timers start to call me crazy and tell me I'm going to die. But of course, I don't.

I've found that fisherman know about as much about snakes as snakes know about fisherman. Generally nothing! But they sure think they are all knowing...

no offense guys

roadwarrior reply :

Hmm...

You might only get to be wrong one time...

xxmurrxx reply :

Had a big raccoon stare me down once when panfishing on a island.

Scary stuff.

Brute reply :

I have seen quite a few gators this year while out fishing.

You want to talk about a top water bite.

Don't ask me how I know. ;D

Brute

jeosbo01 reply :

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I spend a lot of time flipping over rocks and logs if the fish aren't biting. I'm in central Oklahoma so there aren't any dangerous water snakes for a long way east or south. However, due to popular belief, EVERY water snake seen by EVERY fisherman I know is a cottonmouth, even though their range is nowhere near central Oklahoma (as long as you are looking at a state range map, not a map of the entire south). There are a lot of water snakes around here in virtually every body of water. They do a good job keeping the place clean, eating weak, dying, or dead fish. They really help to keep disease in check and make the fishing better.
So my favorite thing to do when a water snake pops up and everyone starts freaking out is to ****** it up quickly. If there are any old timers around they start wining and moaning, explaining that the water snake is in fact a cottonmouth, and then they start making up stuff about the ways they can tell. If they won't still won't listen to the truth, I'll usually grab the snake by the tail and let it sink its teeth into my forearm (its not any worse than getting bit by a flathead while noodling). I just laugh as blood runs down my wrists and the old timers start to call me crazy and tell me I'm going to die. But of course, I don't.

I've found that fisherman know about as much about snakes as snakes know about fisherman. Generally nothing! But they sure think they are all knowing...

no offense guys

Sounds like I have a fellow herper on here...I regularly go out looking for snakes and such, sometimes I do that more than fish, sometimes not :-/

J Francho reply :

I've run into a few coy-dogs while stream fishing. They usually take off before you see them. Once, I was getting the stink eye from a rutting white tail buck. I finally had to chuck a stick at him to get him to move since he was blocking my path on the trail back to the car. I occasionally run into weasels and feral mink. My biggest concern is running into nesting geese - they are by fay the most aggressive animals around here. I can't imagine running in to a nesting mute swan - that would be really bad.

GLADES reply :

I seen seen manatees swimming in lake Okeechobee rim canals on many trips there, grazing on the grass.

I wonder how they survive there with all the big gators.

You can sometimes see beavers (otters?) florida panthers, bobcats,

deer, as well as wild hogs on the waters edge. All the varieties of tropical and preditory birds are pretty cool to observe.

The thing that gives me the heebeegeebies is the huge 16' python snakes that are now part of the everglades. I would probably be shootin holes in my boat if one of those critters crawled in.

Olebiker reply :

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How 'bout guys from Rhode Island, does that count?

Gators wouldn't mess with 'em. Too skinny and not enough meat.

Here is one of my regular fishing buddies:

Jake. reply :

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I spend a lot of time flipping over rocks and logs if the fish aren't biting. I'm in central Oklahoma so there aren't any dangerous water snakes for a long way east or south. However, due to popular belief, EVERY water snake seen by EVERY fisherman I know is a cottonmouth, even though their range is nowhere near central Oklahoma (as long as you are looking at a state range map, not a map of the entire south). There are a lot of water snakes around here in virtually every body of water. They do a good job keeping the place clean, eating weak, dying, or dead fish. They really help to keep disease in check and make the fishing better.
So my favorite thing to do when a water snake pops up and everyone starts freaking out is to ****** it up quickly. If there are any old timers around they start wining and moaning, explaining that the water snake is in fact a cottonmouth, and then they start making up stuff about the ways they can tell. If they won't still won't listen to the truth, I'll usually grab the snake by the tail and let it sink its teeth into my forearm (its not any worse than getting bit by a flathead while noodling). I just laugh as blood runs down my wrists and the old timers start to call me crazy and tell me I'm going to die. But of course, I don't.

I've found that fisherman know about as much about snakes as snakes know about fisherman. Generally nothing! But they sure think they are all knowing...

no offense guys

The same thing happens here while I'm fishing. There are no Cottonmouths in this part of the state, but every water snake that swims by someone else fishing is a "poisonous water moccasin". I jsut laugh every time I here something say that.

bilgerat reply :

Hardly a "dangerous" encounter, but years ago me and my buddy were fishing his grandad's farm pond. I walked up this small hill that had some brush on the top and ended up face to face with a LARGE momma Canadian goose that was minding her nest. She spread her wings and started squawking and flapping and causing a big ruckus. I just about crapped myself as I went tumbling backwards down the hill, fishing pole and tacklebox flying everywhere.

Twenty years later we still laugh our a**es off when we talk about it

IDbasser reply :

This post reminds why I like living in Idaho, even if it does freeze over here!

whitwolf reply :

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None here in western NC. They have a few on the coast though.

My family Is from Burgaw(Near Wilmington)...It's not uncommon to see gators and snakes on the Northeast Cape Fear river to be sure....Many water snakes here on the local lakes in Western NC but none of the poisonious variety that I'm aware of except the copperheads and I have yet to see one actually In the water.

done reply :

i have run into a few snakes in the NC mountains. Copperheads, and some other lethal ones. You jyst keep your eyes open for them.

Had 3 otters fallow me around the river once. Tha was annoying.

frogtog reply :

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None here in western NC. They have a few on the coast though.

My family Is from Burgaw(Near Wilmington)...It's not uncommon to see gators and snakes on the Northeast Cape Fear river to be sure....Many water snakes here on the local lakes in Western NC but none of the poisonious variety that I'm aware of except the copperheads and I have yet to see one actually In the water.

Basspack didn't they find like a 10' Rattle snake around Burgaw a few years back? I remember seeing a picture of it. I'll do some looking and see if I can find it.

frogtog reply :

The most aggravating thing I run into while fishing is those pesky little water skiers. ;D

whitwolf reply :

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None here in western NC. They have a few on the coast though.

My family Is from Burgaw(Near Wilmington)...It's not uncommon to see gators and snakes on the Northeast Cape Fear river to be sure....Many water snakes here on the local lakes in Western NC but none of the poisonious variety that I'm aware of except the copperheads and I have yet to see one actually In the water.

Basspack didn't they find like a 10' Rattle snake around Burgaw a few years back? I remember seeing a picture of it. I'll do some looking and see if I can find it.

Frog, my cousin showed me a picture just the other day of a farmer that killed one inbetween Atkinson and Burgaw....Biggest rattlesnake I have ever seen. He said the thing weighed 90+ pounds. Ill get him to send me the picture and post It.

retiredbosn reply :

While living in the Carolinas I routinely saw gators, they never bothered me any. Being from WV I was more intrigued than anything. Watermoccasins on the other hand freak me out. I have no idea why they freak me out like they do, but I am absolutely scared of them. There are a lot of myths about the snake, but to me they are the scariest of our poisonous snakes. Any snake that lives in the water and can bite you there without you seeing is scary. Needless to say I was always careful while fishing from the bank especially of where I put my feet, hands, etc. Gators were just neat to see. BTW anyone should be able to identify the snakes you find in and around water, and I think everyone should learn how to.

Paul Roberts reply :

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skronky wrote on Today at 2:38pm:
I spend a lot of time flipping over rocks and logs if the fish aren't biting. I'm in central Oklahoma so there aren't any dangerous water snakes for a long way east or south. However, due to popular belief, EVERY water snake seen by EVERY fisherman I know is a cottonmouth, even though their range is nowhere near central Oklahoma (as long as you are looking at a state range map, not a map of the entire south). There are a lot of water snakes around here in virtually every body of water. They do a good job keeping the place clean, eating weak, dying, or dead fish. They really help to keep disease in check and make the fishing better.

So my favorite thing to do when a water snake pops up and everyone starts freaking out is to ****** it up quickly. If there are any old timers around they start wining and moaning, explaining that the water snake is in fact a cottonmouth, and then they start making up stuff about the ways they can tell. If they won't still won't listen to the truth, I'll usually grab the snake by the tail and let it sink its teeth into my forearm (its not any worse than getting bit by a flathead while noodling). I just laugh as blood runs down my wrists and the old timers start to call me crazy and tell me I'm going to die. But of course, I don't.

I've found that fisherman know about as much about snakes as snakes know about fisherman. Generally nothing! But they sure think they are all knowing...

no offense guys Wink

The same thing happens here while I'm fishing. There are no Cottonmouths in this part of the state, but every water snake that swims by someone else fishing is a "poisonous water moccasin". I jsut laugh every time I here something say that.

When I used to trout fish in the PA backcountry, it so many people carried a sidearm -"for snakes" they'd say. We did see a few timber rattlers, but the thing that always had me scratching my head was that -snakes ain't got no legs! Just step aside, man! If you didn't SEE the snake before you stepped on it, what good was the pistol?

Paul Roberts reply :

Here in CO we have the big kitty's. People seem to freak out over them. All you gotta do is rub their neck and cheeks and they get real docile. It's a bit hard to do when they first git on your back, but if you can get a hand free, they can be pretty sweet critters.

J Francho reply :

That is one serious kitty, Paul. My Siamese thinks he's bad.

BassNub reply :

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I'm in southern Alabama, and I fish from both kayak and a bass boat. When we are in kayaks, which is typically in smaller waters (creaks, rivers, smaller ponds) we see a ton of water snakes. Some that are harmless and then others like mocassins (sp?). You just have to be prepared for it and pay attention to what you are doing. In the boat I occasionally see them but much less than in the kayak.
I went wadeing with a buddy once and we caught 54 LMB during the day. The whole time I was paying careful attention and watching every step. At the end of the day, I changed to flip flops as we loaded up the vehicles. I suddenly looked down and realized that 2 or 3 times I had stumbled past a copperhead that was laying on the ground with its mouth open, hissing at me. I so easily could have stepped on it just by being careless. You just gotta keep your head and pay attention.

wow i'll be scared sh*tless, i've always been scared of snakes, bad childhood experiences lol ;D

BassNub reply :

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I fish and hunt all over the marshes and swamps of Southwest Louisiana where some of the best honey holes are only accessible by foot. Most generally snakes and gators will not bother you unless you take them by surprise, you just have to pay close attention to where you are walking and once you stop listen for certain noises, look for grass movements, and generally scan the area.
Gators do love spinner baits & Johnson Spoons or any top water bait for that matter following all the way back to you; my suggestion is a fast retrieve and depending on the size of the gator an even faster retreat.

Water Moccasins and Cottonmouths are a greater concern to me since those sneaky suckers can appear out of nowhere.

Here is one I ran into last year will bank fishing with grass about chest high

WOW! is that a gator or a croc??? yea snakes are sneaky, gives me the chills

BassNub reply :

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Lots of them on all our lakes and creeks. Normanally you will not see most unless you get into the backs of the creeks or up the rivers. They are no problem unless you start pressuring them or jacking with them. Then they will either sink down or move away.
The smaller ones seem to have no fear of a boat(Yet) and will destroy a buzzbait. We have actually had a young one(1 1/2 ft) on Lake Livingston set up under the bow of the boat and race out to attack a surface lure. Problem here would be worrying about the mother and where she might be.

Never had a problem with a gator. Snakes thought are another issue. Have had to fight several off that attempted to climb into the boat over the years.

wow i cannot imagine having one sitting under the boat waiting for a topwater bait to come by, i'd be scared!

BassNub reply :

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Where I live there ain 't no gators, coons and coyotes for sure, skunks, you need to be very unlucky to "encounter" a skunk when you can actually smell it a mile away but it can happen, rattlesnakes are quite common, it 's the lil critters what make life intersting around here like them darned fire ants are everywhere >, those red wasps with more fire power than a Longbow helicopter with an attitude , those black bumble bees with enough fire power to make a C130 Spectre feel humble, those wolly caterpillars that look like a porcupine and just to round up our hot climates = hot bugs we 've got scorpions.
Add to that the ever present thorny vegetation of all sorts.

haah seems like u have a critter problem instead of a deadly animal

BassNub reply :

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I spend a lot of time flipping over rocks and logs if the fish aren't biting. I'm in central Oklahoma so there aren't any dangerous water snakes for a long way east or south. However, due to popular belief, EVERY water snake seen by EVERY fisherman I know is a cottonmouth, even though their range is nowhere near central Oklahoma (as long as you are looking at a state range map, not a map of the entire south). There are a lot of water snakes around here in virtually every body of water. They do a good job keeping the place clean, eating weak, dying, or dead fish. They really help to keep disease in check and make the fishing better.
So my favorite thing to do when a water snake pops up and everyone starts freaking out is to ****** it up quickly. If there are any old timers around they start wining and moaning, explaining that the water snake is in fact a cottonmouth, and then they start making up stuff about the ways they can tell. If they won't still won't listen to the truth, I'll usually grab the snake by the tail and let it sink its teeth into my forearm (its not any worse than getting bit by a flathead while noodling). I just laugh as blood runs down my wrists and the old timers start to call me crazy and tell me I'm going to die. But of course, I don't.

I've found that fisherman know about as much about snakes as snakes know about fisherman. Generally nothing! But they sure think they are all knowing...

no offense guys

Well just becareful man, don't want that one day to be the wrong day just because you want to prove someone wrong. It's always better Safe then Sorry.

BassNub reply :

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How 'bout guys from Rhode Island, does that count?

Gators wouldn't mess with 'em. Too skinny and not enough meat.

Here is one of my regular fishing buddies:

nice buddy who catches more fish? lol

BassNub reply :

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Here in CO we have the big kitty's. People seem to freak out over them. All you gotta do is rub their neck and cheeks and they get real docile. It's a bit hard to do when they first git on your back, but if you can get a hand free, they can be pretty sweet critters.

nice

SirSnookalot reply :

I mostly fish canals in south Florida and see fewer gators than you would think, but on occasion I do see one and they seem to mind their own business. I make a point of treating ALL SNAKES as water moccasions. I fish from uptop of the canals, usually 6-8' down to the water, the snakes seem to hang around the water and not up top.

However I did almost step on one once, the snake bolted one way and me the other, scared the crap out of me.

A couple of weeks ago I was walking by a canal on the edge of the glades. I saw paw prints that were very large, almost the size of my hand, I didn't think bobcats were that big. Florida panthers are rare I understand so I ruled them out.

hamer08 reply :

I lived in SC for years and never had any problems with the gators. I saw alot of snakes, no problems with them. I never killed a snake that wasn't running away. They don't bother me too much now.

I live in the midwest now and no real problems. We see an occassional snake. We see alot of beavers and occassionally one will get close without noticing it. It will then slap its tail on the water and startle you. That usually occurs at dusk/dawn/night. Geese can be a problem during nesting season. I like fishing at night and listening to the coyotes howl.

Overall, insects have always been the biggest problem any place I've fished, north or south.

Daniel A. reply :

We've got gators, snakes, and mosquitos the size of small birds. Recently, I've seen a couple of bobcats approaching our pond.

By far, the mosquitos affect me the greatest. They're immune to the spray...

avid reply :

do squirrels in the attic count?

Btech reply :

I had an owl attack my tackle bag once... almost got airborn with it too . Had to wack him with the tip of my rod to get him away. The bag is now in the dump and gave me a good reason to tell the wife I needed a bigger one

skronky reply :

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I spend a lot of time flipping over rocks and logs if the fish aren't biting. I'm in central Oklahoma so there aren't any dangerous water snakes for a long way east or south. However, due to popular belief, EVERY water snake seen by EVERY fisherman I know is a cottonmouth, even though their range is nowhere near central Oklahoma (as long as you are looking at a state range map, not a map of the entire south). There are a lot of water snakes around here in virtually every body of water. They do a good job keeping the place clean, eating weak, dying, or dead fish. They really help to keep disease in check and make the fishing better.
So my favorite thing to do when a water snake pops up and everyone starts freaking out is to ****** it up quickly. If there are any old timers around they start wining and moaning, explaining that the water snake is in fact a cottonmouth, and then they start making up stuff about the ways they can tell. If they won't still won't listen to the truth, I'll usually grab the snake by the tail and let it sink its teeth into my forearm (its not any worse than getting bit by a flathead while noodling). I just laugh as blood runs down my wrists and the old timers start to call me crazy and tell me I'm going to die. But of course, I don't.

I've found that fisherman know about as much about snakes as snakes know about fisherman. Generally nothing! But they sure think they are all knowing...

no offense guys

Well just becareful man, don't want that one day to be the wrong day just because you want to prove someone wrong. It's always better Safe then Sorry.

Thanks for the concern fellas, but there is about a zero percent chance I would mixed up a cottonmouth with a water snake, at least during the day. It would be like confusing a largemouth bass with a channel catfish!

ROCbass reply :

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I spend a lot of time flipping over rocks and logs if the fish aren't biting. I'm in central Oklahoma so there aren't any dangerous water snakes for a long way east or south. However, due to popular belief, EVERY water snake seen by EVERY fisherman I know is a cottonmouth, even though their range is nowhere near central Oklahoma (as long as you are looking at a state range map, not a map of the entire south). There are a lot of water snakes around here in virtually every body of water. They do a good job keeping the place clean, eating weak, dying, or dead fish. They really help to keep disease in check and make the fishing better.
So my favorite thing to do when a water snake pops up and everyone starts freaking out is to ****** it up quickly. If there are any old timers around they start wining and moaning, explaining that the water snake is in fact a cottonmouth, and then they start making up stuff about the ways they can tell. If they won't still won't listen to the truth, I'll usually grab the snake by the tail and let it sink its teeth into my forearm (its not any worse than getting bit by a flathead while noodling). I just laugh as blood runs down my wrists and the old timers start to call me crazy and tell me I'm going to die. But of course, I don't.

I've found that fisherman know about as much about snakes as snakes know about fisherman. Generally nothing! But they sure think they are all knowing...

no offense guys

Well just becareful man, don't want that one day to be the wrong day just because you want to prove someone wrong. It's always better Safe then Sorry.

Thanks for the concern fellas, but there is about a zero percent chance I would mixed up a cottonmouth with a water snake, at least during the day. It would be like confusing a largemouth bass with a channel catfish!

Even if you are sure the snake isn't poisonous, puncture wounds can lead to some pretty nasty infections, and who knows what kind of bacteria the snake might have in its mouth. Just something else you might want to think about.

BassNub reply :

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We've got gators, snakes, and mosquitos the size of small birds. Recently, I've seen a couple of bobcats approaching our pond.
By far, the mosquitos affect me the greatest. They're immune to the spray...

hahha thats some big mosquitoes

SBM-RL reply :

Me and a couple buddys were fishing a farm pond and a horse approached us we didn't think much then it started grunting and stomping it then picked my friends tackle bag up launched it 20+ feet into the water it was crazy we froze and it eventuly left so we stupidly went back. A week later we where fishing for about a half hour then the horse comes back its acting crazy again but now its getting closer theres no trees obviously we aren't able to run away so we slowly started moving toward a turned over row boat we flipped it dove under and the horse started kicking the boat we had to call a couple friends to come help they brilliantly lured it away by throwing apples so whenever you see a horse be very cautious may not seem scary but think about having 1000 raging pounds mad at you its terrorfying

BassNub reply :

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Me and a couple buddys were fishing a farm pond and a horse approached us we didn't think much then it started grunting and stomping it then picked my friends tackle bag up launched it 20+ feet into the water it was crazy we froze and it eventuly left so we stupidly went back. A week later we where fishing for about a half hour then the horse comes back its acting crazy again but now its getting closer theres no trees obviously we aren't able to run away so we slowly started moving toward a turned over row boat we flipped it dove under and the horse started kicking the boat we had to call a couple friends to come help they brilliantly lured it away by throwing apples so whenever you see a horse be very cautious may not seem scary but think about having 1000 raging pounds mad at you its terrorfying

what farm pond is this?

UrbanRedneck reply :

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Im the same as you because im from Pennsylvania. Im constatly watching my step for copperheads and water moccasins when I fish ponds.

Check your field guide. Cottonmouths dont occur in PA. You pay too much attention to wives tales.

hjerk24 reply :

Check your posts..prior to stating an " I told you so remark" he said Copperheads, not Cottonmouths!!!!

OUCH!

bass wrangler569 reply :

Quote

Quote
Im the same as you because im from Pennsylvania. Im constatly watching my step for copperheads and [highlight[water moccasins]/highlight] when I fish ponds.

Check your field guide. Cottonmouths dont occur in PA. You pay too much attention to wives tales.

hJerk24 is right, he said copperheads not cottonmouths. However, an "I told you so remark" would be appropriate regarding the water moccasins which, as previously stated ,don't occur in PA.

hjerk24 reply :

Return OUCH to me!!!!

You "Told me so" and I appreciate the education.

My apology.

I do remember as a child always being told to "watch out for water Moccasins"....what a bunch of bologna!!!!!

:'(

etommy28 reply :

in north florida I have caught just one gator and one snake in 17 years in south florida in 6 months i have caught 5 gators and 2 snakes and 4 of the gators were under water?

Micro reply :

Twice I've had a near-sighted muskrat swim to my boat and act like it wanted to get in. I then suddenly waved my arms and yelled "booga booga booga" and it dove to the depths.

I had a Northern Watersnake crawl up my outboard and coil around the linkages. I had a heck of a time getting that booger out.

Friggin cormarants that roost in the cyrpess trees wait until you are nearly underneath then to crap. And when they do, it's like they are dumping a gallon of white paint into the water.

The ospreys are scary. I'm waiting to have my scalp taken off. I haven't been attacked yet, but I think the day is coming.

Here's a sign at a local park that has a good bass lake...

Muddy reply :

My worst encounter has been with a Canadian Goose,sitting on a nest. I didn't see it and cast off a peninsula from the other side of the pond we were fishing. I immediately hooked up and she made a mad dash across the water I pulled on the fish and the fish and line got wrapped on an overhanging branch! She started pecking me, when she went across i was able to shake the fish off but the Rapala stayed in the tree. I will never do that again!

The worst past of it was , Ron had warned me to watch out for bears, I didn't know geese hissed and when it first rose up from the nest I yelled BEAR!! Ron was lucky we were on shore as it was easy for him to relieve himself before he wet his pants! ;D

I.rar reply :

mutant mosquitoes.

giant ants.

snakes.

gators.

the last two ive never seen around any place i fish but they are around.

BASS fisherman reply :

I had a similar encounter to Muddy's.

I was fishing a small pond and as I walked around the far side I looked down and seen a nest with an egg in it. I remember thinking as I was a mere 2 feet away, "well look at that, a nest".

All of the sudden I here this hissing noise and as I turn to see what it was I notice this goose flying straight at my face!

I swung my rod around and towards this flying demon bird from hell just in time for it to turn off.

I distanced myself from it's nest and continued to fish and this bird wasn't gonna have it. The goose kept hissing and trying to attack me.

I finally moved back around and away from that bird and it finally left me alone. While fishing I also watched as several other ducks and geese were chased off by this demon bird from hell.

One other time I was fishing a remote pond and had a deer start snorting and pawing the ground at me. After a few minutes I just walked away and he stopped.

silvercliff_46 reply :

I had to release a couple of otters caught in foot hold traps that weren't happy about the situation. They may look cute, but they have NO sense of humor.

Out fishing I have been in the middle of the creek once or twice, when a sow has been on one side and the cubs on the other. I sat down and shut up until they moved along. I changed my shorts and kept fishing.

Not much for snakes around these parts in summer (grass, garter, pine) and nothing poisonous. Ya gotta watch out in winter though. We got snow snakes that bury themselves in the snow. If ya go to take a dump they will crawl up your behind and freeze you to death..., Honest I wouldn't lie to you. :

Muddy reply :

Aonther thread gone to the crapper

senile1 reply :

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Quote

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Im the same as you because im from Pennsylvania. Im constatly watching my step for copperheads and [highlight[water moccasins]/highlight] when I fish ponds.

Check your field guide. Cottonmouths dont occur in PA. You pay too much attention to wives tales.

hJerk24 is right, he said copperheads not cottonmouths. However, an "I told you so remark" would be appropriate regarding the water moccasins which, as previously stated ,don't occur in PA.

I know this reply is rather late to the post above, but I've been away awhile. Water moccasin and cottonmouth are names for the same snake.

fishizzle reply :

I've had a deer swim by my boat 2 years ago. They are actually fast swimmers.

Another time I was fly fishing in my waders about 3 feet deep and I looked down and there was a giant snapping turtle next to me with white leeches all over his back. It was the size of toilet seat.

silvercliff_46 reply :

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I've had a deer swim by my boat 2 years ago. They are actually fast swimmers.
Another time I was fly fishing in my waders about 3 feet deep and I looked down and there was a giant snapping turtle next to me with white leeches all over his back. It was the size of toilet seat.

Yeah! forgot about snappers! They like to hang around old bank den holes. They will bite right through your boots and won't let go. Nasty buggers, but they make great soup (really, no kidding!).

plnoldrick reply :

last year i was fishing in the middle of some rocks in a spillway. it was cold and not a soul was around or on the lake. i was taking very long pauses dragging a jig. all of a sudden i heard a limb snap to my right. 2 full grown coyotes were crouched and coming onto the rocks. im assuming they were starving and gonna try thier luck with me.

well a little .40 caliber persuasion later and they were full throttle into the woods never to be seen again. i would have plugged them since its legal all year in PA but before i started peeling off shots a flash went through my head "what the hell are you gonna do with the bodies?" so i just softened up the hillside a little bit.

normally coyotes do not alarm me. when they get that close to people on purpose though its only for a few reasons like starvation or some kind of sickness. that makes things a little dangerous.

crappiekid24 reply :

I seem to be a snake magnet. Every year I run into a snake of some sort. Let me tell you I am not fan of snakes. I was standing on the bank of a river casting and something fell out of my vest. When I went to pick it up I noticed 2 snakes looking up at me from a hole in the rock. Made me jump. Another time same area I was reeling in a small bluegill that I hooked and had a snake following right behind it with its mouth open. I ended up running up the bank with the bluegill still on my line. Now when I look back on it I should have let that snake have it. Would have been cool to watch it eat a bluegill.

etommy28 reply :

Quote
last year i was fishing in the middle of some rocks in a spillway. it was cold and not a soul was around or on the lake. i was taking very long pauses dragging a jig. all of a sudden i heard a limb snap to my right. 2 full grown coyotes were crouched and coming onto the rocks. im assuming they were starving and gonna try thier luck with me.
well a little .40 caliber persuasion later and they were full throttle into the woods never to be seen again. i would have plugged them since its legal all year in PA but before i started peeling off shots a flash went through my head "what the hell are you gonna do with the bodies?" so i just softened up the hillside a little bit.

normally coyotes do not alarm me. when they get that close to people on purpose though its only for a few reasons like starvation or some kind of sickness. that makes things a little dangerous.

ah, thats nice fi it were me they would be sitting in my living room right now!

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