When i'm fishing and the snapping turtles show up my chances of catching anything is slim to none.  I think the fish avoid the turtles and move away.

You know what i think your right, and i doesn't matter the fish. I had caught a few pike in my canal and then a snappin turtle showed up and it all stopped.

Any input, JFranchot? I know you like turtles...

All the time big snapping turtles or painted turtles eat up on my carp bait and it feels like you are reeling in a tires. Occasionally they will chomp down on my lures leaving huge dents.

i remember night fishing off a dock with my brother in law and we kept catching this large turtle. we were catching him with nightcrawlers and 2-3" live bluegill we caught with a net off the dock. poor guy had about 6-7 hooks in his mouth by the end of the night

Those turtles just never learn do they?  ;D