I have fished in ponds with alligators but I have always been in a boat or a canoe. Have caught them on a popping bug and also on a spinning rod. Not foul hooked either. The one on the spinning rod, son thought it was a big drum and grabbed the shock leader to unhook him. He surfaced next to the canoe with his jaws wide open. Son fell over backwards in the canoe and almost put both of us in the water with the gator.
And No, I will not wade in water that contains alligators. Even little ones. Cause I think where there are little ones, there is a big one in there somewhere too.

George