I saw a SALTWATER CROCODILE in the indian river today!!! (while wade fishing!) 2025
mrlitetackle reply :
Yup, a saltwater crocodile. I was wade fishing the Indian River in Titusville Florida today with a pal, when he said.. "Hey, that manatee looks kinda weird man, check it out." When I looked over, I saw a huge back that had triangular ridges on it only about 50-60 yards away........ then it went under. I told him, "Dude thats not a manatee, I think that was a gator or croc... we need to get out'a here!" Just then it resurfaced, and clear as day my pal and I saw its huge head with the tell tale pointed nose... and its back with all the ridges. From the size of its head, distance to the back, and the length of the back (that was exposed) I conservatively estimate this croc at about 11 feet long. That was it, were done fishing... we made it quickly back to shore and watched it swim away towards the middle of the river.
Once on land, I called the FWC (Florida Wildlife Commission) to report the sighting. The lady that I spoke with informed me that there have been two reports within the last 6 months of saltwater croc's off of Cocoa Beach (very near to the area that I was fishing in).
Well, now there is a third I told her. She asked if I was sure it wasn't an alligator. I told her, "Definitely not, I've been in Florida for 26 years .... and seen alligators every one of them, this was for sure...100%... a croc!!!" Not to mention, the size of it was way too large for the average alligator, and the nose shape was pointed..... not rounded.
I had no idea that croc's came this far north in Florida. I have heard of them being near south Florida, but this was nuts!!! So I looked online for some info on the sightings, and found this (among other reports)....http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jun/25/rare-crocodile-spotted-at-brevard-beaches-may/
So, I don't know if I will be wade fishing in the Indian River any time soon......... or if ever again for that matter!!!!!!
...straight up scared the $%*@ out of me!!!!!!!!!
Quitlimpin reply :
That's crazy-scary yet sweet all at the same time. U Florida guys make me jealous.
Dock Master reply :
Not sure if it was a Alligator or a Crocodile, but at this golf course my dad plays at at the beach there was a report that one of those things ate this guy's dog. My dad has also occasional seen one while playing.
(The course is right next to a salt marsh)
SirSnookalot reply :
Very cool but scary........I've yet to see a croc and I fish some areas that seem ideal for them.
Daniel My Brother reply :
Yikes! Sharks, Alligators, now crocodiles. I don't believe I would wade fish in any part of Florida.
mrlitetackle reply :
ya, i grew up on the beach here in FL.... surfing for many, many years....and doing a lot of spearfishing as well....
so sharks dont seem to bother me, their always there.. whether you see them or not.
as for gators, i see them pretty much every time i go fishing.... and they dont bother me either.... they keep to themselves for the most part... just stay away if they are nesting, and you'll be fine... (also why wadeing in fresh water is out of the question though, never know where their at in the lakes or ponds!)
but as for wade fishing the salt,
my biggest concern (before the incident) was stepping on a stingray, or maybe getting a jellyfish wrapped around me (the latter has happened, quite painful i must say)...... both of which are really no big deal....
but, now after seeing a huge saltwater croc...... i am more than weary of stepping foot into the water, as i said... it will be quite some time before i do it again... if ever.
until then, i'll keep my salt adventures to inlets and piers..... and the rare occasion that i get the opportunity.... boats.
skillet reply :
We visited my daughter in Cocoa when our grandson was born. I went wade fishing at the warm water outlet of the power plant there 
. I thought it was GREAT! I might rethink that idea next time 
...
skillet
BTW mrlitetackle, I'll give you a holler next time 
...
mrlitetackle reply :
QuotePosted by: skillet Posted on: Today at 11:05amWe visited my daughter in Cocoa when our grandson was born. I went wade fishing at the warm water outlet of the power plant there
. I thought it was GREAT! I might rethink that idea next time
skillet
BTW mrlitetackle, I'll give you a holler next time
one of my fav. spots in the indian river was a powerplant just south of titusville, but now as ive said... dont know if i want to enter the water too readily anymore 
....and if your ever around town, definitely give me a shout..... im always ready for a good fishing trip!
done reply :
Man....good thing ya got out of there. If I were ever to learn to walk on water....that would be about the time I would give it a try.
tutle reply :
Kill that sucker. Take a .357 and blow his brains out. I don't think you could be prosecuted if you got caught doing it because it is an exotic.Alligators are protected but not crocs.
mrlitetackle reply :
QuotePosted by: tutle Posted on: Today at 6:52pmKill that sucker. Take a .357 and blow his brains out. I don't think you could be prosecuted if you got caught doing it because it is an exotic.Alligators are protected but not crocs.
that would be nice (and i wonder if the taste as good as gator, cause gator tail rocks!)........ BUT, i do believe that the fl saltwater croc is a rare and fully protected species as well.... even more so than the gators.
**note**
just found, the fl salt croc is a federally protected species.
tutle reply :
I am a tree hugger,figuratively speaking, but I think that is nuts.Those non-indigenous killers should be shot on site. Of course, the fact that I will be wading in that area in a few weeks is a big factor in my feelings about the matter.Anybody that has ever been a hundreds yards from shore in waist deep water and saw a gator slip beneath the surface can relate to what I'm talking about. It's not so bad when you can see them.But when they silently submerge while eyeballing you ,you would have to be crazy to not get a little nervous.From what I have heard ,crocodiles are a lot more aggressive than gators. Grizzly bears are protected in Alaska but that doesn't keep a lot of the fisherman from packing some serious fire power. I guess they would rather pay a fine than be eaten.
mrlitetackle reply :
if you shoot one as defense from say, being eaten..... of course, im sure that there wont be much consequence...
but they are in fact indigenous to florida, in fact they used to have quite high numbers... but because of humans, almost went extinct.
http://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/29/us/in-south-florida-canals-revival-of-rare-crocodiles.html
from their website and curriculum tigerhomes.org ......below is a quote.........
QuoteIn "Florida's Wild Future" wildlife experts Jason and John introduce students to seven species of animals native to the State of Florida. Jason brings the Tiger Homes Sanctuary's knowledge and experience so that viewers learn important physiological and behavioral information about: American River Otters, Florida Panthers, Red Tailed Hawks, American Alligators, American Crocodiles, Gopher Tortoises, and Kingsnakes. Additionally viewers are introduced to some of the threats facing these magnificent animals, and a list at the end of the programme provides viewers with a list of conservation organizations involved in their protection.
Micro reply :
American crocodiles are not as aggressive as Esturine Crocodiles found in Australia and Asia. There are no recorded attcks by an American croc on a human in the US. They also don't get as large as Esturine Crocs. American crocs are endangered and enjoy full protection in the US. They seem to be doing well in south Florida and have been caught in Tampa Bay. However, they probably won't move much more north than that since they are far less cold-tolerant than alligators.
mikey16 reply :
what havent us florida boys seen
Bassn Blvd reply :
I grew up fishing the St. Johns river and have waded it a hundred times.
Only 3 instances come to mind when I got nervous.
1. I was about 10-11 years old when my dad started to take me wading. I wouldn't let him get more than a foot away from me, which made it hard for him to use the flyrod. He finally told me "stand here and don't move until I tell you to" I cemented my feet onto the eel grass and watched as he strolled about 10-15 feet away from me. He said " Now, follow me and don't get any closer than you are now. I almost :'( That 10-15 feet seemed like a hundred yards.
2. Wading the river with a stringer of bass tied to the belt loop. We see a rather large gator about 75 yards away, just following us. He started to come closer so we unhooked the stringer and let the gator have a free meal.
3. Wading the river on a full moon. I only did it once and have no intentions of ever doing it again.
SirSnookalot reply :
QuoteKill that sucker. Take a .357 and blow his brains out. I don't think you could be prosecuted if you got caught doing it because it is an exotic.Alligators are protected but not crocs.
Hopefully this member lives a 1000 miles away from me.
tutle reply :
Well thanks ,lite, for educating me about crocs without any personal attacks. Snook ,I'll be down there soon . I love to catch snook.I caught 17 one night in about 2 hours and that is just the ones I landed .they ran from about 2 feet to well over 40 inches.All were caught with plugs and all were handled with care and released alive and well. Lets not get together though.
SirSnookalot reply :
17 in 2 hours and well over 40", and those are just the ones landed. Remarkable and all on plugs, but doesn't everyone do that?
NewAngler reply :
further confirms that floidians are crazy.
tutle reply :
Yes ,snookie lad, iit was a remarkable evening.My son was beside me doing just as well. We were getting slammed almost every cast.No everyone doesn't do that.I 'd bet a c-note to a do-nut that you never have.But that's O.K. chief.Maybe you will get into them like that one day.Have a nice life.
mrlitetackle reply :
whoa, ok guys........
anyways.....
QuotePosted by: Bassn Blvd Posted on: Today at 12:00amI grew up fishing the St. Johns river and have waded it a hundred times.
Only 3 instances come to mind when I got nervous.
1. I was about 10-11 years old when my dad started to take me wading. I wouldn't let him get more than a foot away from me, which made it hard for him to use the flyrod. He finally told me "stand here and don't move until I tell you to" I cemented my feet onto the eel grass and watched as he strolled about 10-15 feet away from me. He said " Now, follow me and don't get any closer than you are now. I almost Cry That 10-15 feet seemed like a hundred yards.
2. Wading the river with a stringer of bass tied to the belt loop. We see a rather large gator about 75 yards away, just following us. He started to come closer so we unhooked the stringer and let the gator have a free meal.
3. Wading the river on a full moon. I only did it once and have no intentions of ever doing it again.
....dude, your crazy....
wadeing any freshwater in fl is nuts IMO..... to many gators!
the sharks of the salt don't seem to bother me, but tons of gators and snakes in the fresh straight up scare me....
and this..
Quote3. Wading the river on a full moon. I only did it once and have no intentions of ever doing it again.
.....i, i just, seriously, i am at a loss for words..........
that is the most insane thing i think i have ever heard,
... and i've done some risky @ss $h*t in my day!!
Bassn Blvd reply :
QuoteYes ,snookie lad, iit was a remarkable evening.My son was beside me doing just as well. We were getting slammed almost every cast.No everyone doesn't do that.I 'd bet a c-note to a do-nut that you never have.But that's O.K. chief.Maybe you will get into them like that one day.Have a nice life.
Well, I can't speak for SirSnook, but I have. In fact, not to burst your bubble, but I have done better than what you claim to have done. But then again, it's rather easy to do when your in a school of them and they are feeding.
I find it more impressive fishing the inlet with lite spinning gear and catching over the slot Snook. Kind of like SirSnook does.
SirSnookalot reply :
QuoteI find it more impressive fishing the inlet with lite spinning gear and catching over the slot Snook. Kind of like SirSnook does.
LAD....haha, I like that one,making me feeling younger day by day.
Bassn knows how I fish for them and I do it everyday year round. As far as numbers, I don't bother counting them or, kinda pointless to me. This time of year it's no great feat in catching them but try it in the winter and see how many you catch then.
Back on the topic, I'd prefer not to be fishing alongside a person with an attitude of " blowing their brains out".
Big Mike in Fl reply :
mr lite, Man up man! that thing aint gonna harm a big ole' harry chested dude like you, we all know you're a wolverine anyway!
seriously tho,I wouldn't worry so much about it.if you need to, come on down my way, I know there aren't any of those around my areas, seen a few gators from the creek outlets but that doesn't bother me much in the salt either, they seem more confused when they get out there and usually go back fairly quickly.
mrlitetackle reply :
QuotePosted by: Big Mike in Fl Posted on: Today at 12:15ammr lite, Man up man! that thing aint gonna harm a big ole' harry chested dude like you, we all know you're a wolverine anyway!
seriously tho,I wouldn't worry so much about it.if you need to, come on down my way, I know there aren't any of those around my areas, seen a few gators from the creek outlets but that doesn't bother me much in the salt either, they seem more confused when they get out there and usually go back fairly quickly.
the d**n smilies dont even do justice to how bad i lost it with that one Mike!!!!!!!!!!!!!
but your right though, the gators just dont like the SW...... the crocs are another story.......
either way, whenever i have enough free time (dont know when that'l actually happen )....... id love to fight some fish around palm bay with ya man!
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