Thought it was a big stick.

[Slab]

I thought it was a big stick at first. Then it took off, and off, and off. It would make a run, then stop, and I'd see bubbles. I thought at first I had snagged a turtle. I'd make some headway, I could reel it in some, then it would take off again. I still didn't know what it was. Then it finally came to the surface, and I reeled it in to the side of the sea wall, and I simply reeled up to the jig, and poked it off. It swam off, no problem. Stopped about 40 yards away, and just stared at me wondering what had happened!

Here's a pic.



And a very short video. This video is actually a "live" iphone picture converted to a video, and slowed down a bit. So that's why it's real short, but you get the picture.



And you want to know what! The craziest part is, the line I was using. I just posted recently (https://..thump/) about using 4lb test Varivas (new sponsor) line. And I was not fond of 4lb test because of having to worry more about line break. And then I catch this thing. Unbelievable, but I swear it's true. I caught a gator which was maybe a yard long, and tough as nails, with 4lb test line. Unreal. I thought the line was gonna break many times as I laid into this beast at the end of my line, but it didn't. I'm a changed man. I totally think different about 4lb test line now. Gotta give it credit. Thanks Varivas. Here's the line I was using:

[Slab]

It’s almost impossible to tell about the line I was using because you just can’t see it, being 4lb test line and all. But heres a pic of right after I pushed the jig off the gator. I had hooked it with a roadrunner. I’m thinking I didn’t really hook it as i was able to push it off him with my rod tip with almost no effort. I just kept a bow in the rod and a tight line. Dono


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[SuperDave336]

WOW, that must be some pretty tough line. Thanks for the report.

[Slab]

WOW, that must be some pretty tough line. Thanks for the report.

Believe me, I was still worried I was gonna break it. But way surprised when it didn’t. Once I seen what it was I figured I was gonna loose the roadrunner anyway so I got more aggressive thinking “eh well, just break it”. But the gator didn’t do another run and just rode still like you see in to the sea wall. Kinda cool. And this morning I seen that same gator off my sea wall again. He was just staring at me in the distance still wondering what happened last evening. Or maybe he was plotting revenge. Doh


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[skiptomylu]

LOL, Slab we use to do that many years ago on purpose. There was a protected area out in the marsh bayous around Texas/Louisiana and and we use to go there to fish. The place was mostly shallow and full of grass and Hydrilla, but in the mid day it would get pretty slow and many times look in the box to get an old topwater bait I didn't care if I lost. That place was full of gators and just put a top water bass bait in front of one and he will take a bite and the fight is on!

Skip

[DockShootinJack]

Look out Troy Landry there is a new gator hunter in town.

[funfishers]

I use 6# always cause I want to be able to handle the occasional big fish.
This has me wondering.

[funfishers]

Look out Troy Landry there is a new gator hunter in town.

That guy is quite the gator hunter and python hunter, really enjoy watching him.

[BobC]

Great story! What a battle!
Bob

[thaDudeAbides]

Nice lizard! And great story.