Florida Pics May 2012

[Weste]

I was down in Florida last week for some Tarpon Fishing and Deep sea fishing.  I also managed to sneak in an Alligator hunt one night as well.  The trip was a blast and I would recommend to anyone.  The fishing occured in the Boca Grande area of South West Florida on the Gulf of Mexico while the Gator hunt took place in the Lake Okeechobee area.  I managed to harvest an 11' gator with my bowfishing gear.  As for the fishing, I managed to get a 130 lb tarpon, 200 lb Goliath Grouper and numerous other fish (Permit, Barracuda, Sea Trout, Redfish, Amber Jack, Black Fin Shark and numerous other species).  The shore fishing was great with a bite on every cast.

[nube]

Awesome.  I am Croc hunting in August in Zimbabwe.  Can't wait!  Did you bait the gator or spotlight them at night?  I would think it would be quite the rush.  Looks like the fishing was good as well. 

[Weste]

I had a blast on the Gator hunt.  We used a spotlight at night.  Although it wasnt the toughest hunt in the world, we still had to be cautious and use some stealth to get close to the big guy.  They are a little less wary as it got darker.  For anyone else doing this, I recommend putting a light on your sight and increasing the aperture of your peep.  I was in an area that had the highest concentration of gators in north america so there were alot to choose from.  The lake was about 15 acres and they estimated the population of gators to be over 500.  LOL I wouldnt want to have to swim to shore if the boat had issues.

[sheepguide]

Looks like a great trip. Love the Gator!! Did they tell you what they average in size on them?

[nube]

Spotlighting would be the best way to go.  I had a buddy shoot a dozen of them but he caught them with lines set the night before and then just shot them after pulling them up.  Congrats again!!!!

[JIMMY 808]

Wow what a trip that must have been I could do with out the gator I am not one for creepy crawlys. 

[badback]

Did you get gator boots made?

[Weste]

Looks like a great trip. Love the Gator!! Did they tell you what they average in size on them?

He was definitely above average.  They were saying 7-9 foot is average.  The guide said a 9' alligator is about 25 years old but it is hard to age an alligator and mine may have been about 40 years old.  I didnt realize that they lived so long.

[Weste]

Did you get gator boots made?

I actually shot 4 gators.  3 were small and they were specifically shot to make some boots.  LOL  The hides are being tanned to leather grade and I am getting the Alberta Boot Company in Calgary to make them once I have the hides.  I guess the leather on a big guy like that isnt very pliable and is hard to use for boots.  Oh well, he goes in the Mancave.

[ishootbambi]

looks like the fishing was good.  great pics!  i hope you have better luck getting your alligator shipped up here than a friend of mine has had.  not trying to scare you as it sounds as if his guide is the hold up, but he shot his 3 years ago and has had no luck at at in getting it here.  he has seen pics and the mount looks good, but we are all wondering if it is ever coming north.

[Weste]

Hopefully there arent any issues.  They have been in business for many years and have been doing the CITES paperwork for clients all over the world so hoefefully no issues.

[badback]

I actually shot 4 gators.  3 were small and they were specifically shot to make some boots.  LOL  The hides are being tanned to leather grade and I am getting the Alberta Boot Company in Calgary to make them once I have the hides.  I guess the leather on a big guy like that isnt very pliable and is hard to use for boots.  Oh well, he goes in the Mancave.

Looking forward to the pics of the boots and mount...Gator boots are on my wish list..

[Dark Wing]

Thats to cool, nice fish and an awesome gator.