Fishing is a hobby that is enjoyed the world over. It is not exactly viewed as a high risk sport or form of recreation. Still, there is one menace that can ruin a great day on the lake fast – alligators. Alligators are not generally aggressive towards humans, but they have been known to kill and eat us.

Fishermen spend a great deal of time in and around the water. Alligator country is anywhere that alligators can be found. When you mix the two, trouble can happen if you do not take precautions. Here are some things to keep in mind if you are thinking about fishing in alligator country:

Alligators are first and foremost predators. Understanding this can help you to gain the proper respect for this gargantuan reptile. While most people know that alligators can be dangerous, there are a great many people that still see them as harmless. This is simply not the case. If an alligator has a chance to eat you, and the situation is right, they will. The first step to fishing around alligators is a healthy dose of respect. They are bigger, faster, and stronger than you.

If you are planning on a day of fishing, leave the pets at home. Pets are very much what the alligator has in mind when it is hunting. While a human may not typically be on the menu, a dog certainly would be. Alligators are meat eaters, and will take any animal that they can control and kill. Pets will draw the alligators close. That could be bad news for both you and your pet.

Another common problem when fishing in alligator country is when a gator attaches itself to the bait on the end of your line. Trust me when I say that you need to cut the line. If you pull in even a tiny gator, you run the risk of death with larger alligators, and even infection with a smaller one. If you happen to pull in a brand new baby, you then might be drawing in a very defensive mother to boot. Cut them free and live to tell the tale.

Most people know that feeding alligators is a bad idea, but it is also a good way to get a healthy fine. In most places, feeding alligators can cost you upwards of 500 bucks. Assuming you are lucky enough to not get caught, you are also risking major problems with alligators. The worst thing you can do is make the alligator think of you as a source of food. That is a very bad idea.

The primary thing to remember when fishing around alligators is that you should leave them alone. Stay away from them at all costs. Keep an eye out for slides on the riverbanks. This is where gators will slide into the water, and bask during the day. These areas are not good places to fish, because your risk of attack is much higher.

Fishing with alligators is really just common sense. If you are near one, move. If you know there are alligators nearby at all, move. If you have a pet, leave them at home. If you follow these tips, then you will live to fish with the alligators for yet another day.