Bank Fishing and Critters

Bud Kennedy · November 03, 2016, 06:05:48 PM

We don't have a whole bunch of places to fish from the bank. Just too many big lizards and snakes that are around to make me feel comfortable. I am surprised that so many of you florida guys are bank fishing. I would have thought you would have the same kind of problems down there.

Pier fishing and surf fishing are somewhat popular but a boat is still king in this neck of the woods.

Do you guys take any weapons when you are prowling the banks?

Capt. BassinLou · November 03, 2016, 06:11:52 PM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on November 03, 2016, 06:05:48 PM
We don't have a whole bunch of places to fish from the bank. Just too many big lizards and snakes that are around to make me feel comfortable. I am surprised that so many of you florida guys are bank fishing. I would have thought you would have the same kind of problems down there.

Pier fishing and surf fishing are somewhat popular but a boat is still king in this neck of the woods.

Do you guys take any weapons when you are prowling the banks?

Just a watchful eye Bud. I'm more of city bank fisherman, so the only critters I come across are iguanas and ducks.

If I choose to fish more into the suburbs that border the Everglades, then I will start encountering snakes like moccasins and water snakes. I give snakes a wide berth if I can't identify them. Gators are extremely rare for me to come across when bank fishing. But I never discount them. Ever!!

j102 · November 03, 2016, 06:43:28 PM

Yeah, around the city lakes and canals we don't see too many critters. If one would carry a weapon, it would be for the two legs critters. Many of us Florida guys own firearms, but for the fishing needs, your regular pocketknife and a pair of pliers would do.

ccr425 · November 03, 2016, 07:55:03 PM

My favorite area is a system of canals and marshlands formed by dikes. It's absolutely full of gators, deer, hogs, bobcats, bears, and even a few panthers. I always carry a pocket knife and a Esee 4 survival/utility knife when I'm out there. I'm 2 miles from the nearest road so I also always have fire making materials, paracord, flashlights, extra batteries for flashlights and iPhone, multitool, water, and snacks. The knives are more for utility and emergency use in case I get stranded out there for some reason. All of these animals run from humans. I'm worried about snakes more than anything else.

Capt. BassinLou · November 03, 2016, 08:02:24 PM

Yeah, I remember that spot 2 yrs ago CCR. You caught some very big fish out of there. If I remember correctly they straightened out your hooks a couple of times.

j102 · November 03, 2016, 08:26:32 PM

In your case CCR, I would carry a 357/44 Magnum revolver or a 10mm Glock. It's true, they run from humans, but just in case.

SFL BassHunter · November 03, 2016, 08:43:36 PM

These are annoying critters!

Here is a picture with a background of a canal I fish thats out west. Tall grass means you gotta keep your eyes peeled. On this path I have come across coiled up Rattle Snakes laying on rock surrounded by grass. It's a dangerous trek if you aren't looking down.

Little gator head in the canal

Little feller down there was hanging out with 2 others. Momma was nowhere to be found. But I am pretty sure she was lurking somewhere in the area.

I encounter quite a bit of critters while bank fishing. This is why when I venture into the glades I wear long sleeve shirt, long cargo pants or jeans, tall hiking boots and thick socks.
Stay as covered up as possible too cause these guys are always out for blood.

I'm sure I have more pics of critters I have enountered. If I find them on my phone I'll post them.

SFL BassHunter · November 03, 2016, 08:51:30 PM

Oh and this guy decided he wanted to check out the size of the bass I was measuring. So close I could have grabbed him by the tail.

As far as weapons I carry a pocket knife in my tackle bag and a pocket knife in my pocket. A baseball bag in the car for the 2 legged variety of scum critters.

Those of you that follow the Florida threads already know these annoying ones tend to follow me around. There is no escaping them.

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West6550 · November 03, 2016, 09:53:41 PM

Honestly not many issues. I have caught a moccasin on a frog lol at night lol

Gators tend to stay away from people unless they are fed.. hence why you don't stand in the shallows lol. My uncle wades while fishing and I have done the same a few times.

I don't bank fish often. It takes 5 minutes longer to launch the boat and not many bank spots that aren't bucket spots unfortunately.

Like CCR I carry tools. I did a thread here a few years back I think. Keep tools, prop wrench, space blanks, first aid kit, flares, matches, fuses, extra knife.. etc.

LgMouthGambler · November 04, 2016, 04:31:49 AM

I rarely go anywhere without my gun, so yes, I take protection with me. Lol

<")))>{

Pferox · November 04, 2016, 07:22:36 AM

About all we have to deal with here on the coast are skeeters, rattlesnakes, and potlickers, if you don't wade, if then there are a whole list of critters and bacteria and stuff to worry about.

We will see a gator in the surf once in awhile, when in the brackish backwaters, you see more of them, but nothing like I saw in Florida.

cortman · November 04, 2016, 09:39:01 AM

The southern midwest where I live is probably the safest place in the US to be out in the woods, lol. Maybe a mountain lion or two around, but those are so few and far between it's no concern.

big g · November 04, 2016, 06:37:47 PM

In south Florida you always have to be alert for the critters. There are things out there that can hurt you if your stupid. I see a snake almost every week when bank fishing, and gators even in Weston Lakes. All major bodies of water are connected to the Everglades. Fire ants will kick your butt also, if your not careful. Don't wear sandals or flip flops while bank fishing!

Smallie_Stalker · November 04, 2016, 06:44:08 PM

I see snakes and turtles all the time and an occasional beaver which really surprises me in the inner city. The snakes are mostly just small grass snakes but I have seen a few pythons that some idiot probably let loose because they got too big to keep in their little fish tank.

We do have some copperhead rattlers here, but they stay mostly up in the Blue Hills.

I don't carry, but I always have a knife with me. Like someone else said, that's mostly for the two-legged critters.

scudzilla66 · November 04, 2016, 06:50:50 PM

Here in MD we dont get anything that can really hurt you but my go to pond has 2 resident beavers, turtles, black rat snakes, deer, turkey, geese, and at least 1 mangy fox that I steered well clear of.

Earlier this Summer I was standing in one of my norlam spots and a black rat snake started swimming towards me so stupidly I decided to nudge him with the tip of my rod which only enticed him to come straight up the bank right at me. I for sure looked like I was inventing some sort of new dance move trying to whack him with my rod when he was coming right for me. Lesson learned hahaha

flowerjohn · November 04, 2016, 06:58:54 PM

We got rattlers, watersnakes, bears, bobcats, wolves, coyotes and cougars. We always pack. That shiit can go sideways quick especially in the fall and winter!!! Love the thread btw!!

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MBB Nate · November 05, 2016, 10:09:09 AM

I caught an otter once. Does that count?

Smallie_Stalker · November 05, 2016, 04:47:28 PM

Quote from: MBB Nate on November 05, 2016, 10:09:09 AM
I caught an otter once. Does that count?

Well, it otter count.

SFL BassHunter · November 05, 2016, 08:03:17 PM

Oh forgot about the time I was night fishing at the local park. A raccoon wanted to cross from one bush to another sawgrass bundle near the bank. He just stood there watching me as I slowly backed off. He ran along the bank and into the bush. I went back to fishing and a min later i felt something staring at me again. I look and there he was watching me. I took some steps back and he ran the other way along the bank.
Went back to fishing and guess who is staring at me again. At this point I was getting annoyed. I backed off and he ran past me down the bank again. 4th time I grabbed my gear and left. Clearly he was just having fun with me. Damn critters. But we got some giant Raccoons at this local park. These things are like baby bears!

big g · November 05, 2016, 08:08:53 PM

Quote from: rickdelprado on November 05, 2016, 08:03:17 PM
Oh forgot about the time I was night fishing at the local park. A raccoon wanted to cross from one bush to another sawgrass bundle near the bank. He just stood there watching me as I slowly backed off. He ran along the bank and into the bush. I went back to fishing and a min later i felt something staring at me again. I look and there he was watching me. I took some steps back and he ran the other way along the bank.
Went back to fishing and guess who is staring at me again. At this point I was getting annoyed. I backed off and he ran past me down the bank again. 4th time I grabbed my gear and left. Clearly he was just having fun with me. Damn critters. But we got some giant Raccoons at this local park. These things are like baby bears!

#1 carrier of Rabies almost everywhere.

SFL BassHunter · November 05, 2016, 08:17:29 PM

Quote from: big g on November 05, 2016, 08:08:53 PM
#1 carrier of Rabies almost everywhere.

Yes sir, that is why I had my pocket knife drawn and I was ready for battle each and every time he passed by the bank. lol

I might have looked like a crazy person, maybe even sounded like one as I talked to it and made sure he wasn't going to do something he would regret.

SFL BassHunter · December 17, 2016, 09:55:49 AM

This guy has no fear!

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Lipripper · December 17, 2016, 10:29:40 AM

Quote from: rickdelprado on December 17, 2016, 09:55:49 AM
This guy has no fear!

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Did you beat him off with your rod.

SFL BassHunter · December 17, 2016, 10:43:18 AM

Quote from: Lipripper on December 17, 2016, 10:29:40 AM
Did you beat him off with your rod.

That sounds wrong.

But no I didn't harm the poor thing just walked around it. Lol

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cojab · December 17, 2016, 02:52:04 PM

We have a few snakes and you can never count out a cat but that would be extremely rare.
The most common thing I see when bank fishing is geese and they can get pretty aggressive. Especially when they have their young with them.

It's funny as hell to see a grown man have a goose coming at him and that same grown man screaming and running like a 6 year old with a goose right on his heels! I've seen guys drop hundreds of dollars worth of equipment and haul a$$!