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Tip For The First Time Gator Hunters This Year

Cajun

Well-known member
Thought maybe we ought to start a thread of tips for folks doing the gator thing this year for the first time. I'll start it and add to it as I try to remember ( old age ) things that might help. Folks not wanting to break their backs or that might get the one thats a bit too heavy to lift, some ole timers in La. use to use rope but other things might work also, they tied the ropes (2 - 3 ) along their cage on the side and would slip the rope around the gator's underside, then stand up on the cage floor and heave and just rolled the gator over the side. They also put like a t-handle on the rope with a hole thru the center , pull the rope thru the center and then thru a hole next to that one, now you can take up any slack needed to get a smaller or larger rope and the handle makes it alot easier to pull. Thats my tip of the day. I'm sure others have some ideas and tips to help make folks hunt alot better. Later Cajun
 
Oh yea, make sure you keep these ropes secured to keep them out of the props. Another tip, tape works really great when taping the gators feet and mouth, but you can also use decent zip ties to do the same thing especially on the feet, one around each ankle area and then one to connect those two together. If your not planning on doing anything with the head , you can punch thru the nostril area and thru bottom right at behind his bottom jaw and zip tie it shut too. Just another idea and in case you ever drop the tape overboard. :roll:
 
JUNE 15, 10 am http://myfwc.com/gators/default.htm

The permits come on line at 10 am on June 15 for Florida. If you want one, you better be on line at 10 am. They will go very fast!!!

3-4 wraps of electrical tape is plenty to keep jaws shut. Electrical tape is superior to duct tape because it sticks better while wet, can keep a roll in your pocket (and everyone else onboard) and can be used with one hand, if needed.

With the public hunts (Fl, Ga, Ms), you have to Kill the gator immediately upon capture. No need to tape the feet. After you bang him, sever the spine directly behind the head. Work a knife between the vertebras. First piercing will sever the artery. Lots of blood. Keep going. Once you hit the spinal column, the gator will tighten up and roll his eyes. Work your knife blade back & forth. He is now dead. This is easiest to do if you have the gator's head over the gunnel, pushing the head down. This helps spread the vertebrae to make room for the blade. REMEMBER: You must TAG immediately once dead and before moving your vessel.

For big gators, as mentioned, the heavy rope behind the front feet works well. If you have the head in the boat, grab the far rear foot & pull towards you. The gator will roll easily into the boat. NOTE: on an airboat, you need to work him from the front of the bow or you may be swimming! Every season a small number of airboats hit the bottom while gator hunting.

If he's too big to pull into the boat, use the same large line behind the front feet & run thru the bow eye and drag him in. (I leave 1 dart line in him for a safety cord) Take the tail (dart line works) and tie up out of the water at the back of the boat, to protect the CITIEs tag from getting hung on something.

For more gator hunting tips, visit http://GatorGuides.com/
PW
 
Hey I appreciate this information, as I will be a first timer this year. Question do they assign you the area you can hunt, or do you request it. thanks in advance
 
You first timers need to pay attention to folks like Gatorstick and they will save you alot of headaches and sorrows. With some of these tips it can and will be the difference in an enjoyable time and a nightmare. The veterans know, they have been there done that or seen it done . And some of ya'll first timers might want to beach your boat and hire someone to take you out for the first round and get some real first hand experience. Folks like Gatorstick and some others can help with finding available guides. Good luck and safe hunting this season. Later
 
If you think you have enough bug spray, pack another bottle.....and stick another one in your pants.

One thing my buddy learned the hard way last year, if your using a trebble hook DO NOT let off pressure for 1 second.
 
The past 3 seasons I have been using a spear gun with a 100ft of parachute cord attatched. This Yr I thought I might tie the line to an 8/0 reel, anyone ever tried fighting one with a fishing pole?
 
Lots of fun on a rod and reel. Put some hi vis(yellow) line on. A 2" treble hook is plenty, sharpen the hell out of the tips, and don't reuse one the same night. I left the wire out last year as well, just went straight 100lb mono. I tied my weight on the underside of the hooks between the 3 trebles. Have your backup sticker ready when you get close enough to get a shot at him. Don't bring your flippin stick either!
 
Cajun,

You must have been around the block. Good advice as FWC will watch & is all too happy to write a ticket for the book of rules they have for gators.

As for the hook, there are only certaint areas that they can be used (no bait & hook). Open water with no weeds or brush. Open, mud bottom lakes are prime for a hook.

I use about a #4 weighted with a Penn 9500 & Fireline. (Spyderwire sucks. Snaps when brought tight across a gator's back. Mono works OK but frays) Works well & if I'm lucky, one or two hooks will last the season. I don't continually toss at a moving gator. I get him stopped, drop the hook within 5' ahead of him, pull it back over him, and tag on. Keep in mind that from an airboat, you are always moving, so plan accordingly.

Once located, NEVER let the line slack as the hook will fall off. If the gator goes to run to brush or into your line, (when he runs at you, the hook falls off) you may CAREFULLY run the boat in an arc (keeping the line tight and not dumping your crew into the bilge/lake) to cut the gator off, keep the hook on him or run him back into open water. If you're in a kicker boat, reverse helps keep the line tight. If in an airboat, work your arc and have fun.

Don't like spearguns! They work but a harpoon works better. Plus, do you really want someone bouncing around in your boat with their finger on a trigger? Logs, stumps & bars happen. Murphy is always on the lake.

PW
 
The previous two are correct about the snatch hooks, no matter how sharp slack line = lost alligator. From my personal experience an 8/0 is a little heavy for a reel. My gator pole is an 8 ft star 36 with a Shimano calcutta 700 or and ambassador 700 on it with 50 lb test. I use and sell the hooks with about 18" of stainless to a swivel. This way you can go a little lighter on the line so you can throw it a little further. There are two ways you can rig the hook. First is just find a hook with weight on it. Second is to add weight via mono to bottom of hook. Either way works I have them both. I probably like adding the weight to bottom that way I can change it for some reason if I need to. (i.e if 4 oz is not enough I can go to 6 oz).

Again to second gatorstick I do not like the spear gun. Mainly because they were designed to be used underwater. If you want to reach out there and touch him I would recommend the crossbow. We kill a bunch of them with the crossbow and the good thing is anyone who can shoot a gun can shoot the crossbow.

The bottom line with gator hunting for the new guys is do your homework. Practice throwing your harpoon. Make sure you have all your gear and extras. Be weight sensitive. Every year I will see people hunting in a little boat with way to many people. Most important have fun. [/img]
 
This is all you need. A 10/0 hook, with four hooks, 200lb test solid braid line. Stiff pole with a 6500 shimano reel. Trust me he won't go anywhere but in the boat. Get you equipment early they go quick.
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I asked gatorstick about this a while back and he told me he would not give up any thing on this matter. as I will be a first timer too this year but you have to start some time.. guess I will go in alone and try to listen, and get as many tips as i can.
 
I have hunted from a flats boat before, but this year will be my first time out of a airboat. How long of spear do you guys use for throwing? I have 10' spears for getting close but I heard some people throw the spear. I am using Muzzy bow fishing tips for spear heads, will they stick if thrown.

Thanks for the input
 
DK,

Most people like something in the 6-8 ft range. Alot of my customers like them on the longer end. I personally like something about 6.5ft. I think Gatorstick sells them shorter than that if you want to go shorter. I think you will find it is a personal preference for length as well as how to rig them. As for the muzzy tips I solely use them now. I still make the stainless ones and used to use them but I found the muzzy tips work excellent. As with any of the tips make sure you bog it to him. One thing that is very important with the muzzies is to constantly keep your tip tight. (The pointed tip of the muzzy) Other than that cable them up and go or give me a shout. I have them for harpoons and crossbows.
 
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