Kayak Trip Report, Limestone Bay/Creek - Baby Gators!

I fished Limestone today, not much to report. I caught and released 5, all large fish, spider rigging but not another bit. The water has come up about 2 or 2 1/2 feet and I simply couldn't find the fish. I spent some time exploring with the high water and paddled up to the old iron bridge, then took the old Limestone Creek channel back down. Most of the Duckweed has been flushed out because of the water coming down creek and the water is high enough to get over the laydowns that cross the creek.

As I came into one area with a new laydown that had green leaves, I heard a sound that I haven't heard in over 15 years. Lucky I was stationary (about to push through the tree). I start looking around and see 6 or 8 baby gators. I start looking for momma and she's only 5 foot to my right. I hadn't seen her because of her head being covered in Duckweed. I slowly backed up, turned around and paddled back around the long way to my truck.

Please be careful if in Limestone on the bank or fishing skinny. Momma Gators will even fight a big Bull Gator defending their babies. The babies make a noise that sounds more like a bird than anything else, but switch to a faster, higher pitched squeak when scared. If they make that noise, momma is on the way and looking for a fight.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ditch Basser

I fished Limestone today, not much to report. I caught and released 5, all large fish, spider rigging but not another bit. The water has come up about 2 or 2 1/2 feet and I simply couldn't find the fish. I spent some time exploring with the high water and paddled up to the old iron bridge, then took the old Limestone Creek channel back down. Most of the Duckweed has been flushed out because of the water coming down creek and the water is high enough to get over the laydowns that cross the creek.

As I came into one area with a new laydown that had green leaves, I heard a sound that I haven't heard in over 15 years. Lucky I was stationary (about to push through the tree). I start looking around and see 6 or 8 baby gators. I start looking for momma and she's only 5 foot to my right. I hadn't seen her because of her head being covered in Duckweed. I slowly backed up, turned around and paddled back around the long way to my truck.

Please be careful if in Limestone on the bank or fishing skinny. Momma Gators will even fight a big Bull Gator defending their babies. The babies make a noise that sounds more like a bird than anything else, but switch to a faster, higher pitched squeak when scared. If they make that noise, momma is on the way and looking for a fight.

---

I decided not to go after seeing how the water was up yesterday. Decided to get some more honey do’s out of the way so I can be ready when conditions are better. But the constant gator reports will keep me away. Lol. I don’t know much about them but that sounds like a dangerous situation to me. Y’all be careful out there.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

cheKayak Fishing with GATORS on Wheeler Lake - SEASON 3 - FULL EPISODE - YouTubeck out this vid filmed mostly north end of the bay along limestone creek...yall will recognize several spots in the film and it features a huge gator in a gravel pit

riverboss,

Cool to know the areas they're fishing down to specific laydowns. Thank for sharing!

How big were the little gators? I thought they hatched out in the spring?

Sounds like y'all are getting a good sized herd of them gators

Gators are about 9 inches when they hatch. Gators mate in April or May, eggs hatch in July-August. These were only about 10 or 11 inches long. If we have a cold winter they probably won't make it. Typically a Large bull male will have several breeding females and kill or chase off any other males in the area. Looks like that's what's happening in Limestone and would explain the one big guy with several smaller female gators in the area.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ditch Basser

Gators are about 9 inches when they hatch. Gators mate in April or May, eggs hatch in July-August. These were only about 10 or 11 inches long. If we have a cold winter they probably won't make it. Typically a Large bull male will have several breeding females and kill or chase off any other males in the area. Looks like that's what's happening in Limestone and would explain the one big guy with several smaller female gators in the area.

---

How big was mama gator or could you tell?

I'd guess about 6 or 7 foot, scared the hell out of me to have her that close and me on top of her babies!

FYI, females seldom get over about 8 or 9 feet. They're typically 6 to maybe 8 feet . Males keep growing with maturity about 8 feet and 10 to 12 feet fairly common on the Southeast and Gulf Coast. The two biggest I've seen in North Alabama is the male in Limestone and one even bigger in Blackwell Swamp (north of Huntsville Airport).