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Gib · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:03 pm Post subject: duck decoy, blood, and alligator

If there is one thing I have learned about saltwater fishing over the years, never think you have seen it all.

I went out for a late night flounder run last night with another story to tell.

I saw what looked like a flounder tail in semi-clear water, so I gigged it. You may be surprised how many flounder are gigged this way. Anyway, it was an old, duck decoy, barnacles and all, partially submerged in mud and it almost took a surgeon to remove from gig.

I proceeded onward only to engage in war with mosquitos. I think they got about a pint out of me. Between all the black and blood stains on me, I was hoping the law did not find me as they may have thought something suspicious.

I went on when, ALL AT ONCE, everything reminded and refreshed my memory again of why I do not wade the quiter side of the bays at night. Out of the corner of my eye something came out of the grass and into my flounder lights. Yep, by subject line you guessed it, an alligator. Now for someone from Florida, probably not that big of a deal. But, for a south Texas boy not accustomed to such critters other than TV, my heart rate doubled and I almost had an accident.

He stayed on the edge of my lights for 40 or 50 yards. I tried to get a picture with my phone, but it was not happening. I suddenly realized he stopped swimming, and I was now upon him. Forget the phone and prepare for battle were my thoughts. I figured he may have smelled flounder in the boat and was looking for an easy meal.

I really did not know what to do. I took my gig and slapped the water by him and, and thankfully he swam underwater and into the channel.

He was approximately 4 feet long. What an awesome event! This little guy had amazing color, and not like the ones you see on TV. He had a pattern almost like a Diamondback, and no, I do not drink, it was an alligator.

I did not think these guys can survive in salt water. Is this true?

Oh well, and I came home with my fish!

You just never know.

fish camp · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 6:39 am Post subject:

where were you Question

chuck · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 7:17 am Post subject:

man that is amazing, i bet you heart was pumping

topdog15 · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:50 pm Post subject:

alligators are actually quite common in our bays and estuaries. more so further up the coast.
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Chef Lefty · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 1:01 pm Post subject:

A great story to tell the grandchildren.
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knowphish · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject:

If you think those Gators are bad, wait till you mess with a saltwater Croc!!!!!!
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Wanna be Bluffian!! Stay thirsty, my friends!!!!

gdavis · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject:

where were you, I hate gators!

BALZTOWAL · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:45 pm Post subject:

FOR A MINUTE THERE I THOUGHT YOU WERE WADING.

Gib · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 7:22 pm Post subject: Nueces Bay

I was in Nueces Bay, and I have seen to many things at night from the boat to dissuade me from much wading at night.

I have been told alligators can and cannot live in saltwater. Does anyone know?

Yes, thankfully it was not a saltwater crocodile. I am not sure if thsoe things are around here or not.

I am kinda hoping he washed down with recent rains and the rest of the family is not around.

Uncle D · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:08 am Post subject:

Back a few years ago in Matagorda, up the old diversion channel, Julie and I saw one 5-6 ft. Swam right to the boat. Found out it was a pet that had been released and was wanting to be feed a chicken. Actually it was really cool to see.

Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

JTwantsaRED · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:52 am Post subject:

If I remember right they swim into the salt water to get rid of parasites in/on their skin. And maybe to snack on a red or two while their at it. I've heard more than one tale of waders encountering them around the backwaters of the Rockport area. Not sure what would scare me more...having a bull shark grab my stringer or watching a 6ft gator float by me...
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Fishbrains · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:52 pm Post subject:

At my buddies place in Palcious there's been one living in the canal at the back of the lot. I used to catch bait down there with my cast net, when he was about 4' long no problem. Now he's grown to over 10', must be over 200lbs. so I catch bait elsewhere. Seen that gator go up an 8' embankment in a heartbeat.

crhfish · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject:

Gib, next time tie a beer can or coke can on a line, no hooks, and throw it at him/her. They hate cans ( I dont' know why) and will crunch down on one as it comes by. Usually they will hang on until you get them close to the boat and then they will let go. It fun. I've actually put small ones in LA in the boat this way with them just hanging on to the can. In the daytime, with allot of gators, this is a hoot.

GoinCoastal · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:16 am Post subject:

They live just fine in saltwater!!!! They don't spend 100% submerge in the salt. And in the brackish back bays the salinity goes way down. Plus our Texas bays have a low salinity compared to other parts of the world anyway.

The American Alligator is very very common in all of salt marshes along the coast. They feed regularly on crab and fish. We do not have saltwater crocs in Texas. I caught a 9-10' gator on a skitterwalk. I had a 5' gator slap my kayak when my paddle hit him underwater. I have seen them in th eopen bay near seadrift and POC. I saw one right next to the ICW in between AP and Ingleside. And any place where freshwater flows into the back bays... gators!!!