05-24-2004, 12:04 PM
[cool][blue][size 1]Part 2. (SNAKES) [/size][/blue]
[blue][size 1]I neglected to address the issue of reptiles. I have fished quite a few waters where snakes and gators were a part of the local "experience". That includes a couple of lakes around Dallas that not only had water moccasins but a lot of copperheads along the bank too. The gators can be a problem around Houston and are definitely a potential "playmate" throughout Louisiana, Florida and some areas of Georgia.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]Out here in Arizona we occasionally have rattlesnakes that come out into the water. This happens a lot in the spring when rising waters flood out dens or fill up an arm that the snakes are used to crossing as they spread out for food and mating after coming out of their dens. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I do not have a fear of snakes, but I respect them and do not care to get up close and personal with a snake that can do some damage. TubeBabe (my wife) has always had a pronounced fear of snakes, no matter what kind they are. Whenever we are out somewhere and I hear a "high C", I don't ask "what is it". I ask "where is it". She is definitely a good snake radar.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I have to admit that whenever I am fishing in waters where water moccasins are around, I am never totally at ease. I have had enough first hand experience with them and heard enough stories that I would rather not have to deal with them. They are more curious and aggressive than most other snakes and will strike with little provocation.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The good news is that you are more at risk while walking along the bank than while out in the water. Most bites occur when people either step on them or suddenly come right up on them and they feel threatened. That means that whenever possible, you should launch your craft from a concrete boat launch, rather than trudging through shoreline grass and brush for any distance.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Another good preventative is to fish from a tube or pontoon during the colder months, and/or in the early morning, before the snakes warm up and start moving. If you see any out in the water, or sunning on shoreline rocks or bushes, you might just wanna move away from that area or get out of the water all together.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If you ever find yourself face to face with a moccasin, and it seems intent on joining you in your craft, there are several possible remedies. First, empty your pistol full of "snake loads" into it. If you don't carry a pistol, then take your stoutest bass rod and flail the water in front of you, to discourage the snake from using you as a floating rest stop...or worse. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Of course, you need to be kicking up a rooster tail with your fins too. But, if the snake gets serious, the next step is to leave a foot or so of line (with your lure on it) and using the tip of the rod, wrap several wraps of line around the snake's neck, just behind the head. This will snare the persistent serpent and allow you to at least keep it a rod's length away, while you paddle for shore to "dispose" of it.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If the snake gets inside of your perimeter defenses, you can use your landing net to smack it a few good shots. The heavy ring around most nets is enough to stun the snake and to allow you to make a retreat.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Most snakes will try to get away from you if you let them. Once you make it known to the snake that it is in hostile territory, it will usually change course. But, if it doesn't, you don't have to kill it, just to establish territory rights. Snakes are just trying to live and survive too. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]When we hike on desert trails in Arizona, we always carry ski poles. We use them mostly for hiking sticks, to help negotiate our way over rough terrain. However, we refer to them as "snake sticks", since we have had to use them on occasion to lift or push possessive snakes off the trail we were using, in order to pass them. I am sure that a folding wading staff or some other stout rod would serve as well on the water, but have never tried it.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I will give you credit for having enough good sense to not launch on any water that is infested with potentially dangerous reptiles...during a time of year when they are most active. However, I have never let something like snakes or sharks totally deter me from chasing fish from my tube. If you use common sense, and have a plan for personal protection, in case of an encounter, you are probably safer with snakes than with traffic on your local roads.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[blue][size 1]I neglected to address the issue of reptiles. I have fished quite a few waters where snakes and gators were a part of the local "experience". That includes a couple of lakes around Dallas that not only had water moccasins but a lot of copperheads along the bank too. The gators can be a problem around Houston and are definitely a potential "playmate" throughout Louisiana, Florida and some areas of Georgia.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]Out here in Arizona we occasionally have rattlesnakes that come out into the water. This happens a lot in the spring when rising waters flood out dens or fill up an arm that the snakes are used to crossing as they spread out for food and mating after coming out of their dens. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I do not have a fear of snakes, but I respect them and do not care to get up close and personal with a snake that can do some damage. TubeBabe (my wife) has always had a pronounced fear of snakes, no matter what kind they are. Whenever we are out somewhere and I hear a "high C", I don't ask "what is it". I ask "where is it". She is definitely a good snake radar.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I have to admit that whenever I am fishing in waters where water moccasins are around, I am never totally at ease. I have had enough first hand experience with them and heard enough stories that I would rather not have to deal with them. They are more curious and aggressive than most other snakes and will strike with little provocation.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The good news is that you are more at risk while walking along the bank than while out in the water. Most bites occur when people either step on them or suddenly come right up on them and they feel threatened. That means that whenever possible, you should launch your craft from a concrete boat launch, rather than trudging through shoreline grass and brush for any distance.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Another good preventative is to fish from a tube or pontoon during the colder months, and/or in the early morning, before the snakes warm up and start moving. If you see any out in the water, or sunning on shoreline rocks or bushes, you might just wanna move away from that area or get out of the water all together.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If you ever find yourself face to face with a moccasin, and it seems intent on joining you in your craft, there are several possible remedies. First, empty your pistol full of "snake loads" into it. If you don't carry a pistol, then take your stoutest bass rod and flail the water in front of you, to discourage the snake from using you as a floating rest stop...or worse. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Of course, you need to be kicking up a rooster tail with your fins too. But, if the snake gets serious, the next step is to leave a foot or so of line (with your lure on it) and using the tip of the rod, wrap several wraps of line around the snake's neck, just behind the head. This will snare the persistent serpent and allow you to at least keep it a rod's length away, while you paddle for shore to "dispose" of it.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If the snake gets inside of your perimeter defenses, you can use your landing net to smack it a few good shots. The heavy ring around most nets is enough to stun the snake and to allow you to make a retreat.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Most snakes will try to get away from you if you let them. Once you make it known to the snake that it is in hostile territory, it will usually change course. But, if it doesn't, you don't have to kill it, just to establish territory rights. Snakes are just trying to live and survive too. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]When we hike on desert trails in Arizona, we always carry ski poles. We use them mostly for hiking sticks, to help negotiate our way over rough terrain. However, we refer to them as "snake sticks", since we have had to use them on occasion to lift or push possessive snakes off the trail we were using, in order to pass them. I am sure that a folding wading staff or some other stout rod would serve as well on the water, but have never tried it.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I will give you credit for having enough good sense to not launch on any water that is infested with potentially dangerous reptiles...during a time of year when they are most active. However, I have never let something like snakes or sharks totally deter me from chasing fish from my tube. If you use common sense, and have a plan for personal protection, in case of an encounter, you are probably safer with snakes than with traffic on your local roads.[/size][/#0000ff]
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