Florida gator hunt

[Andrewlonghi]

Well been few years since I drew a gator tag but was lucky enough this year. Headed out the first morning with high hopes but some boat trouble ended that trip early. Got with a buddy and off we headed for the first night.
Hunted until 2am with plenty of smaller gators being spotted and hooked two that where around the 7 to 8 foot mark but turned them loose.
We called it a night and decided to go early Monday morning. Well right off the rip we spot what looks to be a good sized gator and immediately after we hit him with the light he goes under.
Made a couple passes over where he when down and found him laying on the bottom. Hooks out and get are mark but a half ass hook set and he left the county.

Right at daylight we spot another one picked him up on the Depth finder hooks out and the fight was on. Stripping drag and trying to keep up with him. About a 20 minute fight on the rod and reel worth him down enough to get him up for a harpoon line then the bang stick. Got him in the boat and off to the processors. 9 foot 1 inch and plenty of nest in the freezer. Going for a bigger guy now

 

[Jacack]

No tags for me this year

I am jealous. Love hunting them

 

[NMNomad]

I spent 30 living all over Florida. Never did get to hunt Gator. I do enjoy the meat. Good stuff.

 

[Yoteassasin]

awesome! How much meat do
You get out of a gator that size ?

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Nice! We drew tags here in TX and I just setup a bowfishing rig for them, hopefully I get to use it. The place we're going they want us off the water before dark so that puts a serious damper on my archery hopes so we'll probably end up relying on baited lines overnight.