Can't believe it, two years in a row an alligator encounter while bass fishing on Little Lake Harris.  Last year I snagged one on a leadhead jig but he was cool about it and I got unsnagged.  Tonight just before dark I tossed a black Senko towards some weeds in about 4-5 feet of water when I hooked up with a nice strike.  All of a sudden it left the shoreline just screaming along, behind the boat and into open water.  I assumed it was a high-speed bass but didn't think they could swim that fast.  The drag was just screaming and offered no resistance whatsoever for about 10 seconds until it broke off.  About 5 minutes later I saw a big alligator right where my "bass" was headed.  Man, that gator was making tracks.  Anyone know how fast they can swim?  Couldn't find out on Google.

About as fast as the airspeed velocity of an unladen Swallow.  

About as fast as the airspeed velocity of an unladen Swallow.  

But is that an African or European swallow?

Well I know they have been clocked at about 6.25 MPH but there not sure if that is there top speed.

Awesome story none the less bro, if it happened to me I would be back the next night to feed it a couple of chickens ;D

Sorry to say, but you hooked into a WR bass and that gator chased it to make a meal of it.  Seen it a thousand times. ;D

Sustained, not very much.  But they've got a terrific burst.

One thing I'm glad I don't have to worry about.

About as fast as the airspeed velocity of an unladen Swallow.  

But is that an African or European swallow?

ahahaha, hilarious!

About as fast as the airspeed velocity of an unladen Swallow.

But is that an African or European swallow?

How should I know?

AAAAAAaaaaahhhh!!!

Cool!

Thank God I don't have to worry about that in PA although they did find one frozen in Northeast PA several years ago Authorities surmised that someone had it for a pet that got to big and left it go on it's own when they opened up it's stomach it was said that it was eating pretty good had it been able to burrow under it may have survived the winter what a thought.

The lake I fish here is infested with them toothy critters!!  Hardly a week goes by that you wont tangle with atleast one.  some get away, some dont

I found where it says that Crocs can swim up to 20 mph, so I assume alligators are probably pretty close, just depends on size and all.  Better becareful out there!!  

Last week I had a 7 footer nail a swimbait.  Didn't know it was submerged on the outside of the weedline I was fishing.  I thought I had nailed my first DD bass of the year.  WRONG!

BTW, gators like floating worms, flukes, lizards, buzzbaits, bobbers...  especially the little ones!  

About as fast as the airspeed velocity of an unladen Swallow.

But is that an African or European swallow?

How should I know?

AAAAAAaaaaahhhh!!!

but still where in the world did u get the coconut

gotta love that movie.

GBF

Sorry to say, but you hooked into a WR bass and that gator chased it to make a meal of it.  Seen it a thousand times. ;D

yup

gators can swim faster than me :o

gators can swim faster than me :o

That's not good. You heard of the movie Dancing with Wolves call yours Swiming with Gators not good at all.

Sorry to say, but you hooked into a WR bass and that gator chased it to make a meal of it. Seen it a thousand times. ;D

Well, at least I hooked up!  

They like Culprit worms too. When I was holding it to remove the hook, it was calling it's mommy.