Alligator Tips?

[IndianaBowman]

I was fortunate to get a Florida alligator permit (2 gators) and was wondering if anyone had any tips or tricks.  Would a red lens light work for them without spooking the gator?

[NightHawk]

Terry,

The best tip I can give ya is stay away from all those teeth  :-) What part of florida you going to?

[IndianaBowman]

Hi Joe!  Central, South of Orlando about 50 miles.

[alligatordond]

Terry,

Yes the red lens helps . What is your zone and are you using a guide?

Basically, I use a heavy shaft set up with a barbed tip and a fishing reel. I think Muzzy makes a pretty good system. I used to use an old 2 liter bottle to wrap line around with the tag end attached to a float-milk jug worked well for me.Most use steel cable but I have never really felt it necessary. I just use a heavy braided line and play it like you would a large gamefish,(marlin tuna etc). It's a feel thing and doesn't require alot of "muscle" . Of course there are exceptions. Now the line arrow is to get the gator to the boat for the kill shot. I suggest you also have line attached to your kill arrow or try to get a second line in. You may have to make a barbed system with a broadhead. I have use just a standard heavy wood arrow like you would for deer or elk for the kill. They die quickly if shot through the vitals BUT a dead gator is never dead, if you know what I mean. Bang stick always an option but you really don't need it. I reccommend 8 feet and under as far as size goes- better hides and better eating.

Don't know if you saw the news about the kid who lost his armn Monday to an 11 footer. My wife, an RN, had him as a patient. Nice kid who did something stupid that cost him an arm.

Moral- be very careful out there.

[Battle_shaft]

I got mine last year with a 57# Dryad longbow. Heavy glass fishing arrows. If it's bigger than about 8' my reccomendation would be to get it close to the boat then get a heavy harpoon line into it or at a minimum a second float line. They do pull out. Personally, I would'nt even try it without bangsticking them. A reincarnated gator in the boat is no fun.

Also, I was using a Hawglite. With no filter, just a plain white light. Worked great. In Sepot they'll have a new much stronger one out.

[IndianaBowman]

Thanks AlligatorDonD!  Great tips!  I won't have a guide and I'll be in Unit 500.  I do not plan to use a bangstick.  Should be fun anyway you look at it.

[alligatordond]

You'll have fun for sure. Do it the way you feel works best for you. Just get the line in and figure out a way to finish it. Just be safe

[IndianaBowman]

Thanks everyone!  We had a really tough hunt. We hunted during Hurricane Faye. Saw lots of rain and had some bad luck. The hunt did finally turn around and the whole trip was made when my son shot a nice 10' alligator with my recurve.

[JavelinaHunter]

Congrats to the both of you!!  The memories will be with you both for a long, long time to come...

[alligatordond]

Outstanding!!    

These are tough conditions. A couple buddies of mine haven't connected yet-they're out as we speak. The water is so high in the St Johns around Melbourne that the gators are way back in the sticks where you can't get them. But with 2.5 feet of water all around my house the other day I was ready to shoot one from the bedroom window. A 10 footer is a real trophy though I prefer 6 and under for some good eatin'

[Jeremy]

Any chance of some pictures or a story??? What setup(s) did you end up using?
 

[IndianaBowman]

Jeremy, I sent you a PM.  Don't know if you remember me and Tyler but we were at JLMBH in 2007. Couldn't make it this year as we were in Florida fishing.

Tyler took the gator with my recurve since his bow broke 5 minutes before legal shooting time on the first night.  We used Muzzy heads and I rigged the arrow with the string through the front hole and then taped the string near the nock to prevent loose line.

[Jeremy]

I have a hard enough time remembering the '08 JLMBH, but sure enough, I see you in the '07 group shot!     Thanks for sending along the pictures!!




That's one BIG lizard!!

[jake jr. trickshot]

congratz!!  

[Big Ed]

Terry, You are a blessed man. You have some fine children.