There must be something about boats attracting snakes because I have had several common water snakes on board my pontoon back in a storage compartment by my motor. One was inside a minnow trap dried up, but I did find one coiled up on top of stuff I store in there. After identifying it I just picked it up, which my lady friend did not like me bringing it on the deck. Gosh it was only 3 feet long, but she acted like it was an Anaconda.
Just a note Shane if one got in your boat another probably will too. Put a minnow trap in your boat and you'll be amazed how many end up in them but can not get out. No bait is needed unless you want to put a mouse in it.
I always have water snakes swimming around my pontoon in my slip during the summer. I like to snag one and throw it on the walkway in front of my slip to watch the reaction from walkers by.
Even though I tell them it is not poisonous both men and women think it is a water moccasin and give it a wide berth.
I just tell them it is my pet snake Sam, Sam was swimming by last year with a leopard frog in his mouth , and since leopard frogs are great catfish bait I took it away from Sam, and gave Sam a shot of Makers Mark for bring me the frog. The next weekend Sam brought me 2 leopard frogs, he must like bourbon. HA ha