Angler thought he hooked a stingray, until the alligator surfaced
Capt. Robert Birchmeier of Pawleys Island Beach to Creek Guide Service was fishing from his kayak in Murrells Inlet, S.C. on May 20 when he hooked an alligator. Birchmeier was hoping for flounder, then suspected he had a stingray on the line. But several minutes into the fight, he was surprised to see an alligator on the end of his fishing line.
Birchmeier stayed surprisingly calm, speaking to his action camera and joking that perhaps someone could help him retrieve his lure from the gator.
“Anybody want to help me get my jig back?” he asks.
Birchmeier estimated the gator to be between 7 and 8 feet in length.
Although alligators live in freshwater, they are very tolerant of saltwater, and often visit for short periods of time. Numerous alligators live in the pond on Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet.
The alligator experience wasn’t the norm for Birchmeier, but he is available for more family-friendly activities like surf fishing, kayak fishing, oyster picking (in season) and crabbing. He can be reached at (843) 485-1733.
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