I have been lurker on this forum for a while and need some ■■■■■■■■. I know some will doubt my reality which is a 3-4 foot gator in a cove south of Chapin. The lower water level has forced it into more visible areas. Upon reflection, I think it has been here for a while as the area used to be well populated with beaver and other critters that have diminished over the last 2 years. Before I call DNR I wanted to ask if anyone has experience with this issue. Safety for the children and pets is my concern. This is not a joke and any ■■■■■■■■ on what can be done is appreciated. Bill
well a 3 footer not really going to bother you
I was fishing in the way back of Rocky creek and talked to guy that lived back there. He said his son found a dead one on the bank, 4 foot or so, a few years ago. The creek runs back up by 378 to a run off ditch though so he wasn’t sure if it came from the lake or someone threw it away and it washed down. I wouldn’t doubt there could be one in Murray, but someone probably put it in there.
I don’t see a problem with having an alligator in Murray. I highly doubt DNR will do anything, kinda goes against there creed of helping animals expand back to their natural range before we dammed up every waterway possible.
I’ve had this question posed several times and the people that I know that have lived their whole lives in the area say gators aren’t an issue in Lake Murray …
Coming from Florida where gators are literally everywhere, I can definitely tell you that Murray does NOT have an alligator problem … Does that mean there might not be one or two or half a dozen in Lake Murray … sure, it’s possible … but as much traffic as that lake gets one would think that if there actually was a population then there would be more sightings … and there simply isn’t … if there’s a 3-5 footer in a cove somewhere the LAST thing it’s going to think about eating is dogs and cats and certainly not children …
That all being said, Lake Murray is also not exactly prime habitat for an alligator … water temps are too cold for too long to house a true gator population … and any that might get stuck in the lake aren’t going to live long nor get very big …
So that’s my 2 cents worth not that I’m any expert or anything, but having grown up fishing and swimming around gators, I can tell you that I’ve never ever had any second thoughts about throwing my kids in the lake (whether it be for fun or out of frustration) in the summertime … 
it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish now!!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
This is the best screen capture I can get from the cell phone video of the kids in the neighborhood screwing with it using a kayak paddle. Hence my concern…
Whaler 150 Sport
If you don’t tell anyone, that size eats good on the grill 
No more problem[:0]
3’ gators are the least of our problems!!! LOL
http://www.lakemurraymonster.com/
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Good stripper bait! Just use a big hook!
Come on man … that’s more like a ONE foot gator … and it look like a toy …
Am I sensing a leg tug here??? 
it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish now!!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
quote:
Originally posted by striperskiff3’ gators are the least of our problems!!! LOL
http://www.lakemurraymonster.com/
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
o_O … errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish now!!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Its not a toy or 1 foot. I could send the video if you wont be offended by the teen’s language. He thought it was dead.
Whaler 150 Sport
Gators are fine, just so Florida keeps their pythons.
Feel free to stop by and take him to your cove or grill. If interested let me know via PM.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzWhEmzXoLjEd3lBUXVacllBeUtldDJOODBzYXNtZTNGVVZ3/edit?usp=sharing
Whaler 150 Sport
aaahhhhhhhh angles are everything …
I’m guessing the kid missed the Alligator … duh … those things are faster than most people give them credit for …
All the same, that’s one lost gator … nothing to worry about since he likely won’t survive the Winter … last Winter was too mild, this year will be different …
If you really want to catch him then get a shrimp pole and attach a 10’ rope with a large hook on it and stick some old rotten chicken (you should be able to find some around Williams Brice - ha ha - just kidding - relax all you Gamecock fans) on the hook and hang the chicken about 2 feet from the waters surface … once you see the line gone in the water then you know you got your gator on the other end …
Pull him in and shoot him when you see him … or you can try the “Gator Boys” thing and jump on it’s back (good luck with that) and tape it’s mouth shut …
ooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr You can simply call DNR and let them take care of it …
it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish now!!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
quote:
Originally posted by boatpoorGood stripper bait! Just use a big hook!
“Stripper” bait??? I thought you could only catch those with $2 bills???
it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish now!!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
I’m a Carolina fan but that was a classic on the chicken reference. LOL I will talk with the neighbors this weekend and see if we can come up with a plan, its going to get cold and the water will be going up soon so we will have to act fast. It has done a number on the local wildlife.
Whaler 150 Sport
It is actually a part of the immigration reform act. Since gators can be hunted in Fl, we have to protect them from the evil conservative hunters and they have been allowed to move into the conservative south (albeit without documentation). Once they grow to 15’ we will declare them and they will be protected.
Seriously though, DNR probably should do something. On a few occasions there have been gators on Lake Wylie, and they have been removed. It is not their natural habitat.
Sea Hunt BX22 Br
WS Tarpon 140
For real that might be 2 ft
Native mantaray 12 & Ride 115
Advanced Angler
there use to be a couple in the back of clouds creek.they were way back up the creek past the 378 bridge.
