Posted By: Hunter-Steve
My Georgia alligator hunt 11'7" - 09/17/14 02:03 AM
I went with a guide known as Redneck1 on the GON Forum on my second gator hunt on 9/6-7 and have to say I wish I went with him on the first in 2009!
He is top notch. We started just before sunset and got us in position just in time for sunset. We began seeing many gators in the weeds. but none were in open water until after 10pm. At that time we stated seeing quite a few large ones that we were just not able to get in range on.
About 11:30 pm we noticed a pattern and positioned ourselves in the path of the route we keep seeing the big ones traveling. At about midnight we spotted a big one heading in range. But then up came an even larger one between the one we were after and the boat. His whole body was out for us to see without lights.
When we first snatched him with the hook he did not even react. It was a few seconds of pulling before he took off and the ride was on. I can't tell you how much time or how far he went as both Chris and I were more than excited.
Since we knew this was a big one Chris was calling some friends to help. It took about 30 mins for us to get the second hook in the gator and he was not too happy about that. So off we went for another ride. When we got a third hook in him the gator decided he needed to come up and address us in person. He was not very friendly with us and took the end off one of the big tuna rods. But to our luck he got his jaws tied up in all the lines. He went down and after three big blows of air he was almost done.
Chris loaded the bang stick with a .454 round but the gator was upside down and still blinking. So we were not going to chance putting our hands on him.
Right about then help arrived. We were able to get a line around his leg and right him so we could deliver the final blow to the sweet spot. A perfect one shot kill.
Now how do we get him in the boat? It was all we could do to role him in via three men with two more holding the other side of the boat down.
So after 3 hours we had this giant lizard in the boat. My adrenaline was so high I could not sleep for 2 days.
I can't wait to go again in 4-5 years.
As a bonus I went on the hunt with Hambone76 (Mark) the next night and assisted. It was his first time and we had a great time. He landed an 8 foot 9 inch gator that even did a tail dance that we got on gopro video.
Thanks again Chris. My daughter now wants to go on a gator hunt. She only has 3 Priority points now so will be the year after next I think.
He is top notch. We started just before sunset and got us in position just in time for sunset. We began seeing many gators in the weeds. but none were in open water until after 10pm. At that time we stated seeing quite a few large ones that we were just not able to get in range on.
About 11:30 pm we noticed a pattern and positioned ourselves in the path of the route we keep seeing the big ones traveling. At about midnight we spotted a big one heading in range. But then up came an even larger one between the one we were after and the boat. His whole body was out for us to see without lights.
When we first snatched him with the hook he did not even react. It was a few seconds of pulling before he took off and the ride was on. I can't tell you how much time or how far he went as both Chris and I were more than excited.
Since we knew this was a big one Chris was calling some friends to help. It took about 30 mins for us to get the second hook in the gator and he was not too happy about that. So off we went for another ride. When we got a third hook in him the gator decided he needed to come up and address us in person. He was not very friendly with us and took the end off one of the big tuna rods. But to our luck he got his jaws tied up in all the lines. He went down and after three big blows of air he was almost done.
Chris loaded the bang stick with a .454 round but the gator was upside down and still blinking. So we were not going to chance putting our hands on him.
Right about then help arrived. We were able to get a line around his leg and right him so we could deliver the final blow to the sweet spot. A perfect one shot kill.
Now how do we get him in the boat? It was all we could do to role him in via three men with two more holding the other side of the boat down.
So after 3 hours we had this giant lizard in the boat. My adrenaline was so high I could not sleep for 2 days.
I can't wait to go again in 4-5 years.
As a bonus I went on the hunt with Hambone76 (Mark) the next night and assisted. It was his first time and we had a great time. He landed an 8 foot 9 inch gator that even did a tail dance that we got on gopro video.
Thanks again Chris. My daughter now wants to go on a gator hunt. She only has 3 Priority points now so will be the year after next I think.
