Most folks mistakenly call a Cottonmouth a Moc. I'd alway heard any water snake was a Moc, while a Cottonmouth was way bad. You can usually smell them, but once, I had been fishing next to one about 3' long and 4" in diameter. (I'd also heard Cottonmouths were short and fat). When I turned to relocate along the bank, it sprung off the bank like a coil spring and dove into the water. Because of that one day, I started using a weed eater along the bank.

Regardless of what they're called, I treat them all like little Bunny Foo Foo and bop them in the head!