Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Mad Island Alligator Hunt

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Mad Island Alligator Hunt

    My wife and I beat the odds and got drawn after 10 years of applying.

    For anyone that has done the hunt, do you have any advice for us?

    They say there are 3 primary lakes. Do you get assigned an area or a lake?

    Is a boat a necessary? I've got one but I don't have an electric motor for it.

    I've killed a gator in the past by hanging rotten chicken over the water with a large hook. Do we put tags on the two lines we set?

    #2
    I haven't been, but the information sheet they email after you claim the permit will explain pretty much everything you need to know about the hunt.

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by bigchiefj View Post
      I haven't been, but the information sheet they email after you claim the permit will explain pretty much everything you need to know about the hunt.
      Sure. I'm waiting for that.

      I'm looking for anyone's experiences.

      Comment


        #4
        Dang you're the 3rd TBHr to get a gator tag. Congrats

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by txoutdoorsman24 View Post
          Dang you're the 3rd TBHr to get a gator tag. Congrats
          Thank you! Should be a fun experience.

          Comment


            #6
            Take bowfishing rig if that is legal means to hunt. There are canals along the roads you can glass from afar and sneak up on off side of road and shoot one with the gear and use 410 to finish. It a fun hunt out there...much more fun than hook and line

            Comment


              #7
              LOTS of gators in those lakes. LOTS!! LOL!

              Good Luck to you & the Wife!

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by WTJim View Post
                Take bowfishing rig if that is legal means to hunt. There are canals along the roads you can glass from afar and sneak up on off side of road and shoot one with the gear and use 410 to finish. It a fun hunt out there...much more fun than hook and line
                I don't have the bowfishing gear and this isn't the year to go all out on new toys.

                I'm hoping I can get down before the season opens. Have you done the hunt? Do they let you scout?

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by DUKFVR View Post
                  LOTS of gators in those lakes. LOTS!! LOL!

                  Good Luck to you & the Wife!
                  Thanks David! Hopefully I can find a decent spot to hang a chicken and catch something over 8'.

                  My wife is already boot shopping!

                  You enjoying the retired life?

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by robie View Post
                    Thanks David! Hopefully I can find a decent spot to hang a chicken and catch something over 8'.

                    My wife is already boot shopping!

                    You enjoying the retired life?
                    You bet Andrew!! Wish I had retired sooner. NOTHIN better than retired!
                    LOL!!

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by DUKFVR View Post
                      You bet Andrew!! Wish I had retired sooner. NOTHIN better than retired!
                      LOL!!
                      Glad to hear it.

                      Helps keep me motivated every month when I put money in the 401K!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        I’ve done the hunt at Mad Island. We went 3 for 3 all over 8’. Hook and line was very anti climactic. I went to JD Murphree and bow fished a 12’ 3” monster and that was more than I bargained for but came out on top.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by WTJim View Post
                          I’ve done the hunt at Mad Island. We went 3 for 3 all over 8’. Hook and line was very anti climactic. I went to JD Murphree and bow fished a 12’ 3” monster and that was more than I bargained for but came out on top.
                          12'3"! That is a giant lizard! I'm going to have to do some digging to learn more about this.

                          Did you sneak on him from the canal or in a boat at JD Murphree?

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by WTJim View Post
                            I’ve done the hunt at Mad Island. We went 3 for 3 all over 8’. Hook and line was very anti climactic. I went to JD Murphree and bow fished a 12’ 3” monster and that was more than I bargained for but came out on top.
                            Where did you get the bowfishing arrow and line for the gator? What the a whole setup you bought to add to your bow?

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Recurve, solid glass fish arrow, 400# line and a all brass geared reel. Nothing fancy. We used a center console boat to run to the lock and used a 10’ Jon boat to paddle and push pole around in the lock. Saw him cruising down a side of the lock in the water and just twisted reeds up and sat on them on the Jon boat seat until he came by and surfaced a few feet in front of boat. Shot him in the side of neck, the world exploded and somehow we were able to hold on until a .410 finished him. Scored #5 SCI for archery in 2007 if I remember the year right. At the time it was the largest for archery and 2nd largest ever harvested, all tackle, at JD Murphree.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X