Snake ! Chowan River 4th of July

[Pat]

Well me and the wife went without the grandsons, tired them out yesterday, shame us old folks just keep on goin & goin ............
The wife casts and into the tree it goes ( bobber) , I run the bow of the boat up to and into the tree, she dives in up to her waist....I caution her " Look out for snakes" about that time she says " THERE is a snake in there!" , shes backing out and I`m backin up ! She was within inches of that thing , water moccasin stretched out on a limb............
Photos taken AFTER the line was snapped , the bobber falls directly under him, we gave him the bobber :D
Caught a nice shellcracker and several small gills, lost a nice catfish , wife lost a gar.............
A 4th to remember

What I saw going into the tree...................



After breaking the line...........



Oh and the big cat I landed...........

[jaxsprat]

That looks to be a good sized snake--No No not fer me I do not like them things...........

[gabowman]

Looks "snakey" in there for sure! Oughta be a great place for catching 'gills. Glad to see you hooked that cat on a Ugly Stick. I'm not sure any other rod woulda landed it.:D:D

[limbhook]

Was it a cottonmouth or just a water snake, or did you get close enough to tell?

[Fatman]

I see snake I'm the other way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But that looks like one HUGH one

Fatman

[INGrandad]

Shoulda landed and et 'im. Hope you got the bobber back.

[Pat]

Was it a cottonmouth or just a water snake, or did you get close enough to tell?

No doubt in my mind that it is a moccassin ie cotton mouth........... we`ve seen several over the years, mostly in the water......... they swim on the surface unlike a "water" snake with just its head above water

Enlarged the photo , we were too close............

[MaggiesMaster]

It's really hard to tell them apart, but I'd guess it's a banded water snake; a cottonmouth that long would be mature and black. Also, cottonmouths are (usually) more short and stumpy than banded water snakes. However, the banded water snakes, while not poisonous, are aggressive and will bite.

[Mean Green 2]

It's really hard to tell them apart, but I'd guess it's a banded water snake; a cottonmouth that long would be mature and black. Also, cottonmouths are (usually) more short and stumpy than banded water snakes. However, the banded water snakes, while not poisonous, are aggressive and will bite.

I was thinking the same thing. Not saying it couldn't be but from the picture I would say it was a Banded Water snake.

[jimmydee1]

Don't matter. It's a snake. If you want a real good look at a cottonmouth for identifiction purposes, take a trip to Reelfoot this time of year. You'll get plenty oppoortunities at recognizing them up front and personal.