Neighbor has a pond that was man made along the edge of the flats and at high tide 8’ or better the tide will come over the dam. Have caught some Red’s in the pond so I know they are coming up into the flats. Spent about two hours there the other night with the moonlight but did not see anything but several ccons. Have seen gators in the pond and know that at least one was in the 6 foot range. Normaly don’t worry about the gators too much, but was wondering if they spend much time hunting in the marsh or how many of you would be wading at night knowing they are that close?
KJI
I was out at the Hunting Island state park pier a couple of years ago and there was an alligator there. The park ranger said that the gators will come into the saltwater for days at a time and this help kill the alga that grows on their bodys. After a few days they have to go back to the fresh water.
I wouldn’t worry about a 6 footer too much. Wouldn’t want to step on him but he’s not going to attack. Don’t bring your dog with you. I’ve had to run off small and medium sized gators while wading predawn to the duck blind, with a dog. Anything much bigger than 6 foot might be worthy of concern.
It wouldn’t hurt to occasionally scan the surface with a penlight just to see if the big one you didn’t see is paying too much attention to you. If you hold the light close to your face, you can see their eyes reflect even with a little keychain fob LED light.
I was walking a flat the other night caught one and was chasing another fish and were i was standing 5 minuets before was a 7plus foot gator. first i have seen on that flat. pound right next to it.