Post By: Sir_Castalot Posted: 5/23/2016 12:42:22 PMPoints: 171
So I took the kayak to stalker for the day to do some bassin. First crazy thing, after about 30 minutes and out in the middle of the lake I look down a medium length SNAKE is swimming right at my Kayak! I freaked out and killed it with my oar. Then like an hour later like a complete idiot my wallet was cramping my butt so I thought I would try to sit up a bit and take it out. I FLIPPED my kayak into the middle of the lake and had to swim to shore pulling my half submerged kayak the whole way.
After all this, I drained my kayak, got everything set up again, went back out into the lake and caught a 15 and 14 in largemouth. I would have put pictures, but my phone was in my pocket when I flipped.
On a side note, anybody know which snake species would be swimming around like that? It wasn't a rattler, I know that.
Here in CO it was either a common water snake or a garter snake. We don't have moccasins, or copperheads, or any venomous water snake species. Bull snakes, rat snakes, racers, whip snakes, corn snakes, all swim.
Why did you kill it? You realize doing so brought you instant bad karma resulting in being dunked in the lake, right? The fish gods do not appreciate random acts of killing...CL
I think your right, unless I am backpacking and catch some high altitude trout I am strictly catch and release, hopefully releasing those two large mouth will be an appeasement the fishing gods.
Sir_Castalot please keep in mind that killing snakes in Colorado - except rattlesnakes during established seasons and with a valid small game license - is illegal...even more illegal that it would have been to NOT immediately release that 14" bass you caught! Thanks for the release of both bass...that place has great potential to grow 'em big.
Seriously though, glad nothing worse happened to you than getting soggy from your dunking! CL
I fish at Rock Creek Lake which is not too far from Stalker. I see a lot of snakes there as well. One reason why I stopped using my float tube there. Did the snake look like this one?
Glad to hear you're ok. No matter in what water floating craft you are anything can happen, whether it's a kitty boat, kayak, float tube or anything. Just have to be careful of your surroundings.
I personally would not put anything other than a normal boat on lakes with bass, I like clean water, so mountain lakes are the only places I will put any small kind of water craft into.
Agree with CL, there are very few circumstances in CO when it is necessary to kill a snake, even rattlesnakes don't need to be killed. Please leave them alone. If you see 1, ignore it.
I feel like it's easier said than done. I know we don't have many poisonous snakes, but human reaction when they feel fear makes them react in ways such as an individual killing a snake. That's why there's forums like this to help inform and educate a person. I think the OP understands not to do that next time knowing no harm will come to them most likely.
Reply by: shiverfix Posted: 5/24/2016 10:57:16 AM Points: 3753
I love snakes, I have ever since I was a kid. I used to bring home garter snakes all the time, much to my mother's chagrin. Not because she was afraid of them, but because they invariably got loose in the house and disappeared.
If I were on a kayak (or any boat that was low enough in the water that gave access to a swimming snake) and a rattlesnake were swimming towards me, and I was unable to get away from it, there is a chance I would kill it, not on purpose, but simply trying to keep it from getting on the boat. While I know the chance of being bitten by a prairie rattler are slim, especially a cold one just looking for a place to get out of the water, it isn't easy convincing the emotional side of the brain that. But as much as I love them, it would be a thrill for me to have any snake climb aboard my boat!
Reply by: Toadfish Posted: 5/24/2016 11:06:59 AM Points: 3788
Chad, that's an awesome video! I too am a fan of snakes, all snakes. I don't know how I'd feel about a rattlesnake climbing into a kayak with me, but I've come across them on land at many local ponds/reservoirs especially near the dam/really rocky areas. And as much as I love snakes, coming face to face with a rattler still gives even me a bit of a pucker effect.
Reply by: pikeNcolorado Posted: 5/24/2016 11:37:57 AM Points: 17526
Next time I head out to Stalker I'm bringing one of my Eel soft plastics. I will run it weightless across the surface and mimic a snake. Match the hatch they say. HA HA.
Reply by: Fishful Thinker Posted: 5/24/2016 11:40:32 AM Points: 10965
I have had two rattlesnakes try to board my boat...one at Pueblo and one at Horsetooth. Both times I gently discouraged them with my rod and they swam off. They can be persistent because they want out of the cool water. Prairie rattlesnakes commonly swim and they are very good at it. I typically deal with them around our house (I live on the shore of Horsetooth) several times per year and relocate them away from the house. In 11 years of handling them, I've never had one actually strike despite being scooped up in a net. Had a huge one last July that swam across the bay to my yard (could see him coming from way out in the bay)...he never even rattled when I scooped him up. Dumped him out up on the hill and he casually crawled off. In my experience they are very docile...you'd have to hurt one to get them to bite you. CL
I saw a big 4'+ bull snake swim by at Bingham this morning. They're more scared of you, blah blah blah. But CL is right, you flipped because the snake gods made it so hahaha
