Did a stupid thing years ago--bounced a small plug off the snout of a four footer sunning in the water. It grabbed the plug and I was tied to an irritated predator on UL spin gear. I managed to jiggle my plug free, but not until the gator was at the end of my rod tip--they don't fight well, btw--just spin around and around while you reel them in. Mostly they leave you alone if you don't bother them, but occasionally attack dogs, cats, and humans who are too dumb or inattentive to stay out of reach. A.J. McClane once said that he didn't favor wading or float tubing in alligator waters because he didn't trust them not to mistake his feet for fish.
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