Gator report

[JD]

We were on the patio before dinner enjoying the not-so-hot afternoon with a glass of wine and I mentioned that I still needed to get the mooring anchor out so we could keep the boat up here more conveniently. Shortly thereafter I saw a pair of humps swimming along the seawall. Thought it might be a nutria.

Nope. Gator heading for the flock of ducks just down the lake. We both went down to the water and I didn't grab the camera. Watched it for 5 minutes or so. The critter submerged just before it got to the ducks but they knew there was trouble as they were scattering. Interesting to watch them.

Looked to be about 4' (I suggested it was 18' but my witness wouldn't corroborate the lie, err story). BJ wanted to know if I still planned to set out the mooring buoy and swim to the boat :) But several years ago I was swimming off the boat and she saw a critter pop up near me - said she didn't want to tell me so as not to panic me (or was the life insurance in the thought process :eek: )

Anywhoo, I'll keep the camera with me the next few days. Here's a pic someone took of one last year just above TX66:


635

[Mont]

Surely BJ could use a new purse, Dan. :) I have a gator hunt booked for my BD in POC and can't wait. Mine's going to be a new seat for the bike. The meat is pretty good eating too. They do it up like grouper fritters in Anahuac.

[~~Snakeman~~]

Dan: If that's salt water, the gator will go blind. Unlike crocs, they can't get rid of the salt. Once he's blind, taking him out will be much easier. If you want to see gators, come to Sofla. I can show you gators as big as Monty's 'yak, & weightier than he & Sarge together. Yeah, they eat good.

~~Greg~~

[Joe/GA]

I see Gators often while kayak fishing. It was a bit unnerving at first! Now, I don't worry about them. As long as stupid people don't feed them, they will leave you alone.

[Mont]

I ran over one in a yak up in Armand Bayou a few years back. I don't know who was more startled, but it took off. They aren't very friendly around here during nesting season either. In fact, they can get plain old mean.

[JD]

I couldn't make gator tail steaks unless I took it by hook and line - no firing here in city limits :rolleyes: And I don't think it would fit in the landing net and then stay still long enough to take just the tail (a partial C&R).

TP&W said last year that they never come down out of the river except when we have really heavy rains. But we're 2' feet down. I'd really like to put up a big sign for the water skiers: "BEWARE" Their wakes make it impossible to tie the boat up to the sea wall.

There's a large reed bed a hundred-fifty yards up the shore so I imagine that's become home.

[Mont]

Dan, you need an fake alligator like that fake deer TPWD uses to catch poachers. You could have a lot of fun with that and your new sign :)

BTW, keep Oct. 9 on your calendar. I have an offshore trip booked for that day with Cowboy Charters out of Freeport. We are having a little get together over here on the 10th too.

[~~Snakeman~~]

Dan: Check with TP&W to see if they can make that stretch of water a No Wake Zone. Boaters ought to slow down near docked boats anyway, but most don't. If it's made illegal, maybe that will help. I am usually not in favor of more laws..we have waaay too many already, but that may help your situation.

~~Greg~~

[JD]

Greg - it's 2 miles wide here. Even a 100 yd zone wouldn't keep the wake tolerable.

[PK]

Greg - it's 2 miles wide here. Even a 100 yd zone wouldn't keep the wake tolerable.

maybe you ought to move to Florida.. the entire state seems to be a No Wake Zone...

this guy and one or two of his buddies 'greet' me just about every morning when I fish the local golf course lake and ponds for LMBass...