Getting in gear

A big treble snatch hook and a special arrow point are common accessories for gator hunters.

To hunt alligators, you need something to connect with them that will allow you to drag them to the boat to be dispatched.

For hunters using snatch hooks, a strong, surf-fishing outfit loaded with 80-pound braided line and a 12/0, weighted snatch treble hook. Casts of 100 feet or more are possible with this outfit, although shorter casts are far more accurate.

If bow hunting, using a solid fiberglass arrow tipped with a tip such as the Muzzy Gator Point is sufficient. Make sure the end of the line is not attached to your bow; a swimming gator can pull your bow out of your hands and get away fast. Some hunters will attach the end of the arrow line to a large float, while others tie the arrow to a rod and reel for retrieval.

Harpoons usually have a breakaway tip attached to a long, heavy pole. When the harpoon is thrust into the alligator, the tip is attached to a rope secured to the boat. This allows for a hand-fight with larger gators.

About Pete Rogers 161 Articles
Pete Rogers of Taylors, S.C., is employed with the USDA Wildlife Services and has been a sporting writer and photographer for over a decade. He has a real passion for trapping and enjoys sharing his outdoors experiences with his wife and five children.

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