bullets_full
10-16-2009, 11:21 AM
My Uncle in Texas sent me this account from a guy who guided him for redfish a few months ago. This story is long but amazing!
Greetings to everyone from River Run Guide Service.
In 20 years of fishing the Middle/Upper Brazos River, I can
honestly say that I have never encountered a venomous snake (pit
viper) within the riverbed. However, as I tell my clients, go
outside the riverbed and that can be a very different story.
Obviously, just because I have never come across a venomous
snake in the river, does not in any way mean they are not there.
In fact, I always remain vigilant and on the lookout knowing that
I'm simply overdue for my first encounter.
The way I look at it, Texas
, venomous snakes and the outdoors will always go hand in hand.
So, I wasn't too surprised when I observed a juvenile rattlesnake
headed across the river while I was in my kayak flipping a jig
for bass.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/bullets_full/image00222.jpg
I continue fishing. However, I can't help to notice the rattler
has changed it's course and is headed straight for my kayak.
At this point, I've pretty much quit fishing and have my
attention focused on the intentions of this potentially pesky pit
viper.
While tracking the rattler's movement, I couldn't help but think,
from a fish's point of view, how enticing the serpentine motion
of this snake looked while in the water.
Suddenly, I am jolted back to reality by the fact the rattler is
now along side my kayak and is lifting it's head out of the water
in an apparent attempt to come aboard.
No way I'm having this ill intentioned reptilian hitchhiker
nosing around the kayak. So, with a couple whacks of the paddle,
it's now docile as can be.
Now my mind begins to wonder...Hmmmm.
This rattler looks like mighty good big bass bait!!!
I put him in one of the footwells on the kayak and paddle over to
a series of submerged river laydowns so I can begin to put my
plan into action.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/bullets_full/image00777.jpg
Here is my "Superstar" getting warmed up in the
bullpen.
Put me in, Coach!!!
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/bullets_full/image00888.jpg
I now cautiously rig the snake by hooking it through the bottom
of the jaw and through the top of the head onto a weedless black
3/4 oz. jig.
On my sixth cast into the snag infested laydown my jig n snake
combo gets destroyed on the fall as indicated by a telltale
"thump" that reverberates all the way down my rod
blank. I set the hook hard and immediately feel stiff resistance
on the other end from what I know is a solid fish.
What happens next is something I'll likely never forget as I
watch my bass come cartwheeling out of the water with the rattler
hanging out of it's mouth!
The LMB gave a really good account of itself and I eventually get
her alongside the kayak. I cautiously lip the opposite side of
the cavernous mouth where the fish is hooked.
I now take a moment to pose with my oversize snake eating river
bass before returning her back into the river depths.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/bullets_full/image00999.jpg
I admit, my curiosity might have gotten the best of me on this
one. However, I just couldn't help it.
In the end...
It was just another Kayak Fishing Adventure on the Brazos River ,
Tx..
Greetings to everyone from River Run Guide Service.
In 20 years of fishing the Middle/Upper Brazos River, I can
honestly say that I have never encountered a venomous snake (pit
viper) within the riverbed. However, as I tell my clients, go
outside the riverbed and that can be a very different story.
Obviously, just because I have never come across a venomous
snake in the river, does not in any way mean they are not there.
In fact, I always remain vigilant and on the lookout knowing that
I'm simply overdue for my first encounter.
The way I look at it, Texas
, venomous snakes and the outdoors will always go hand in hand.
So, I wasn't too surprised when I observed a juvenile rattlesnake
headed across the river while I was in my kayak flipping a jig
for bass.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/bullets_full/image00222.jpg
I continue fishing. However, I can't help to notice the rattler
has changed it's course and is headed straight for my kayak.
At this point, I've pretty much quit fishing and have my
attention focused on the intentions of this potentially pesky pit
viper.
While tracking the rattler's movement, I couldn't help but think,
from a fish's point of view, how enticing the serpentine motion
of this snake looked while in the water.
Suddenly, I am jolted back to reality by the fact the rattler is
now along side my kayak and is lifting it's head out of the water
in an apparent attempt to come aboard.
No way I'm having this ill intentioned reptilian hitchhiker
nosing around the kayak. So, with a couple whacks of the paddle,
it's now docile as can be.
Now my mind begins to wonder...Hmmmm.
This rattler looks like mighty good big bass bait!!!
I put him in one of the footwells on the kayak and paddle over to
a series of submerged river laydowns so I can begin to put my
plan into action.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/bullets_full/image00777.jpg
Here is my "Superstar" getting warmed up in the
bullpen.
Put me in, Coach!!!
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/bullets_full/image00888.jpg
I now cautiously rig the snake by hooking it through the bottom
of the jaw and through the top of the head onto a weedless black
3/4 oz. jig.
On my sixth cast into the snag infested laydown my jig n snake
combo gets destroyed on the fall as indicated by a telltale
"thump" that reverberates all the way down my rod
blank. I set the hook hard and immediately feel stiff resistance
on the other end from what I know is a solid fish.
What happens next is something I'll likely never forget as I
watch my bass come cartwheeling out of the water with the rattler
hanging out of it's mouth!
The LMB gave a really good account of itself and I eventually get
her alongside the kayak. I cautiously lip the opposite side of
the cavernous mouth where the fish is hooked.
I now take a moment to pose with my oversize snake eating river
bass before returning her back into the river depths.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/bullets_full/image00999.jpg
I admit, my curiosity might have gotten the best of me on this
one. However, I just couldn't help it.
In the end...
It was just another Kayak Fishing Adventure on the Brazos River ,
Tx..