Gator season opening day

[hooknline]

Gator season opened up last night so myself, Codey, and a buddy headed out. On the water and on the hunt by 7pm. Broke off a real good one right at boat side and took a 7+ft female, Codeys first Back to the house and in bed by 6am, up an on the job at 11am.
One day to recover and we will be back at it tomorrow night

[HOSS]

Is it legal to hunt gators by just shooting them or do you have to hook them first?

[hooknline]

Can't Just shoot them. Cant use bait with a hook in it. But you can throw a snatch hook. Makes no sense and is part of what makes it a challenge

[M5farm]

I'm helped a guy last night and we hooked into a couple a good ones but couldn't get them to the boat. We will go back tonight and see what happens. I've got 2nd phase county tags and have nice 9 + in one of our ponds that i will get next week. Hook I've never used bait can you explain how you have had sucess with it. we run and harpoon or use a reel and treble and have always had good luck but they are more skittish this year for some reason.

[hooknline]

They've been skittish the last 2 years from what I've seen.
bait: cow lung about the size of your fist. Wood peg on one side of lung ( no hooks)Tie onto hear rod and real. Float line out until gator takes it. Ease gator in slow until its in range for snatch hook or harpoon

[M5farm]

this is the one I have staked out

[hooknline]

Looks better than a 9, probably closer to 10

[M5farm]

look at this one and tell me what you think

[hooknline]

That looks to be a bigger one but it's hard to say

[M5farm]

we will put a TAPE on him next week. the pond he is in has dryed down to 3/4 acre and none of the other ponds can support him right now because they are so low.

[hooknline]

Good luck.

[hooknline]

[hooknline]

12+ footer we just got. We'll get a measurement in a bit once we get off the road

[kenny thomas]

Fresh meat!!!! U cant eat that all by yourself.

[Kingfisher]

12+ footer we just got. We'll get a measurement in a bit once we get off the road

They sure can get a boat dirty! I'm going for a boat ride tomorrow but doubt Ill see any gators. Ya'll be cool. In La they use hooks and bait.