I bought a kayak about a week ago. I've used it 3 times thus far and have seen about a 4 foot alligator.I live in the heart of gator country.I've been trying to get used to the kayak before I go fishing...I know mating season is just around the corner..and they are getting to be territorial...

Has anybody that fishes with kayaks ever had a problem with 'gators? What should I do if one starts approaching me topwater?




Thanks!

Although I don't personally recommend fishing from a kayak here in Florida, however if you are going to and are being approached by a gator which WILL happen. Make as much of a commotion and noise and try to scare the gator away before it gets close enough to attack. Stomping your feet and the vibration normally works pretty well to keep them at bay. 

I don't have a Kayak but after fishing for 40 years in south Florida I would not like being approached by a ten footer at water level.  I have had a gator aggressively come toward the boat and bump the trolling motor hard with its nose.  Last year I had one follow us for 30 yards gaining ground as we trolled away.  It came up along side the boat and slammed its tail into the side of the hull.  Both happened on Alligator Alley during mating season.  During low water levels we will see at least 50 to 100 gators each trip, you don't want to be in a Kayak at that time. Stay in your neighborhood lakes but not in the everglades.  Down here they are like roaches, THEY ARE EVERYWHERE!

On 4/2/2016 at 0:21 AM, Mr.Gump said:

Has anybody that fishes with kayaks ever had a problem with 'gators? What should I do if one starts approaching me topwater?

Small ones have always chased my topwaters from the yak standing on the bank and on the boat.  They always seem to stop by the time they get to 4ft.  I've never had one bother the yak.   I see at least one gator on every fishing trip period. Its a daily thing. Honestly the people I run into while fishing scare me a hundred times more than any gator ever will.  During season keep vigilant and always look for bed mounds and high traffic areas where she has drug herself out of the water.

7 hours ago, Gotfishyfingers? said:

Watch this video, lmao...

 

Link doesn't work for me. Haha.

44 minutes ago, 0119 said:

Small ones have always chased my topwaters from the yak standing on the bank and on the boat.  They always seem to stop by the time they get to 4ft.  I've never had one bother the yak.   I see at least one gator on every fishing trip period. Its a daily thing. Honestly the people I run into while fishing scare me a hundred times more than any gator ever will.  During season keep vigilant and always look for bed mounds and high traffic areas where she has drug herself out of the water.

I wounder why that is?

I haven't seen a bed mound yet!I just really hope the locals 'round here don't feed these 'gators.

Every stick I see in the water...makes me really uneasy! Haha.But,I am sure I will get over it in time!

On 4/2/2016 at 1:26 AM, SoFloBassFiend said:

Although I don't personally recommend fishing from a kayak here in Florida, however if you are going to and are being approached by a gator which WILL happen. Make as much of a commotion and noise and try to scare the gator away before it gets close enough to attack. Stomping your feet and the vibration normally works pretty well to keep them at bay. 

is 9MM loud enough

If you want to continue kayak fishing, carry a hand gun.  Let us know when  you are attacked.  Hopefully you manage to escape.

21 hours ago, soflabasser said:

This is why I don't plan on taking a kayak for bass fishing down here.Rather fish from land or a boat!

 

That gator tried to get a piece of him, and came dam close!

21 minutes ago, geo g said:

 

That gator tried to get a piece of him, and came dam close!

  It was too close to say the least!Let's hope the guy in the video learned to not kayak fish that place and instead takes a boat there . 

Wow. In slow motion that is frightening.....  I wouldn't kayak where I take my boat....  way too many gators.

I'm sure this guy needs to change his underwear!

I think the gator heard the noise or vibrations of an animal and pin pointed where it was coming from. Then launched an attack going right to the noise but was unable to ****** it... Ya, it definitely looks crazier in slow-mo..

There are 2 things I don't mess with living in Florida....Lightning while on the water, and gators in the water!

 

Mike 

On ‎4‎/‎6‎/‎2016 at 10:51 AM, Mike L said:

There are 2 things I don't mess with living in Florida....Lightning while on the water, and gators in the water!

 

Mike 

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