Author Topic: Florida Pics May 2012  (Read 1497 times)

Weste

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1503
  • If I'm not Hunting then I am planning my next hunt
    • Alberta Sportsman
Florida Pics May 2012
« on: May 30, 2012, 10:46:18 AM »
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.











« Last Edit: May 30, 2012, 11:09:32 AM by Weste »

nube

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1093
Re: Florida Pics May 2012
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2012, 10:55:51 AM »
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

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1503
  • If I'm not Hunting then I am planning my next hunt
    • Alberta Sportsman
Re: Florida Pics May 2012
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2012, 11:05:39 AM »
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

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1286
Re: Florida Pics May 2012
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2012, 11:30:04 AM »
Looks like a great trip. Love the Gator!! Did they tell you what they average in size on them?
I hunt sheep to see over the next mountain not to measure the next trophy!

Maximus Outdoor Adventures Prostaff

Mountain Hunting FaceBook Page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain-Hunters-Bragging-Board/241712505889883?ref=hl

nube

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1093
Re: Florida Pics May 2012
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2012, 12:22:26 PM »
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

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1090
Re: Florida Pics May 2012
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2012, 12:50:07 PM »
Wow what a trip that must have been I could do with out the gator I am not one for creepy crawlys. 

badback

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 771
Re: Florida Pics May 2012
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2012, 12:53:23 PM »
Did you get gator boots made?
Treat each day as your last; one day you will be right.

Weste

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1503
  • If I'm not Hunting then I am planning my next hunt
    • Alberta Sportsman
Re: Florida Pics May 2012
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2012, 08:42:18 AM »
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

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1503
  • If I'm not Hunting then I am planning my next hunt
    • Alberta Sportsman
Re: Florida Pics May 2012
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2012, 08:47:04 AM »
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

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 357
Re: Florida Pics May 2012
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2012, 10:36:44 AM »
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.
opinions are like sphincters......everyone has one, and they all stink!

Weste

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1503
  • If I'm not Hunting then I am planning my next hunt
    • Alberta Sportsman
Re: Florida Pics May 2012
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2012, 12:06:46 PM »
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

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 771
Re: Florida Pics May 2012
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2012, 06:07:44 PM »
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..
Treat each day as your last; one day you will be right.

Dark Wing

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 312
Re: Florida Pics May 2012
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2012, 08:34:50 AM »
Thats to cool, nice fish and an awesome gator.