I fished around them for years in coastal Georgia with very few problems, mainly them coming a little to close for comfort to my kayak when a fish was splashing. I caught a couple small ones (24 inches) over the years on spinnerbaits when bank fishing. Just pulled them ashore, unhooked with pliers and tossed them back. You're much more likely to get snake bite or trip and break your leg. I like seeing them around just like the beaver, trash pandas or anything else when I'm out on the water. There's a large one that I shared Limestone Creek with on several outings last fall. He kept his distance and I didn't crowd him just like any other fisherman, LOL.