Gator Hunt Must Haves

deltaofbelzoni said:

Must haves on a gator hunt:

harpoon
snare
casting rod(s)
bow(s)
headlamp/floodlights
mag light/spotlight
electrical tape
Permits and tags

am i missing any big things?

Click to expand...

What dispatch method are you planning...beat its skull in with a mag light?

My list:

Casting Rod
100-150 lb line (Power Pro high vis-yellow)
salt water rod, 6-8 feet, rated for 40+ lb line
salt water bait cast reel
10/0 Mustad 3551 treble hooks w/ 2.5-3 oz of lead

Winching Rod
150+ lb line (Power Pro high vis-yellow)
salt water trolling rod/tuna stick, 5-6 feet with pullies
salt water trolling reel
10/0 or 12/0 Mustad 3551 treble hooks w/ 2.5-3 oz of lead

Bowfishing Equipment
Bow/Cross bow
AMS big game slotted retriever reel
Arrows/bolts
Release (for bow only)
Muzzy Gator Getter detachable points
600 lb Muzzy gator line
buoy- boat fender, crab trap float, etc.

Hunt Gear
16/0 treble hook, weighted, w/ 30+ feet of rope
spotlights
deep cycle 12V batteries
cigarette plug adapters
snares, rope, and snare pole
electrical tape
shotgun and shells(#6 or smaller)
permit tags
bait retriever pole
rope/cable ties (must tie gator's legs)
Measuring stick marked at 4ft & 7ft and 4/7 inch w/ hook

Misc
GPS/maps
bug repellant/thermocell
safety glasses
leather gloves
large ice chest-for runt gator
regular ice chest-for drinks
spare running lights or bulbs/fuses
poncho & long sleeve shirt
cap light
camera
1st aid kit
life jackets
knife

When you get a gator on things can get very hectic. Here's a few things to consider:

First decide who is going to be captain, when you get a hookup and things get hectic you can end up with a boat load of captains. Work as team.

Keep things organized, don't have loose ropes or hooks laying on the deck. We keep a couple of buckets to keep hapoon rope and buoys in as well as the throw rope with treble hook. Having the harpoon buoy and rope in a bucket makes it easy to move around the boat with the harpoon when maneuvering to take a shot.

Keep spare hooks in a tackle box or dry storage box.

Be careful retrieving a snagged hook, it can come flying back at you and your buddies at an incredible speed and you can end up with a hook-up you don't want.

Do not load a firearm or bang-stick until you have the gator boat side ready to dispatch.

Be sure someone knows where you are going and when you will get back.