CLOSE CALL with ALLIGATORS - FLORIDA - Myakka River Kayaking
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- Опубликовано: 26 фев 2018
- You never know what's around the next turn. Gators all over the place on this quick trip down the Myakka River. More gators than I know what to do with. I'm not gonna lie, this trip will get the heart rate up. About 10 years ago I kayaked the Myakka River from Myakka City to Charlotte Harbor for the first time. That's when I first encountered this tremendous population of gators. I've been back a few times since and it never ceases to amaze me.
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Great video I’m amazed the gators basically just sat there observing you , while you guys kept an eye on them .this video should have way more views !
That's a big F-No for me! Excellent footage though.
As long as they haven't been fed by man then they are normally pretty chill to be around. Never go out alone and always carry a gun
I just went to Myakka a few weeks ago. All the wooded areas were flooded so I couldn’t walk. I was shocked at the number of gators just everywhere you looked!
Great Shots!!
Hey Jim! We went to school together at SWJH. Cool videos!! I too love kayaking!! Happy paddling 😃
I was talking about southwest earlier today.
wow these are A LOT OF alligators :D nice video!
It wouldn't be the same without the music.
Top quality videography. Always wanted to check out Deep Hole after seeing it on Google Maps. Didn't look real how many gators there are from the satellite image.
One of our favorite parks also.
was that turtle caught in that line and did you really leave it there and say "who cares?"
dude..
Yes and yes.
Not sure if you've ever caught or raised the food you eat, but what you're wanting me to do is the equivalent of taking food out of someone's child's mouth.
Jim Wellman exactly! At first I was upset you were messing with someone's line that wasn't yours. But then I saw you respectfully left their food to the owner and we're just curious.
Messing with someone else's trot line can get you shot down here, Olivia. I personally won't even touch one.
I farted my bad
@@JimWellman I think it's your Cavalier and arrogant attitude that annoy people.
Great video bro
Excellent.
there is allways that one curious gator that will see you as lunch😜
Not always, but maybe every now and then.
im gonne do this aswel
( once my iron-man suit is done )
Great footage and quality production. Florida Fish & Wildlife should contract with you!
Nice! I was just there on Monday October 1st 2019,
But....thought it said no drones😳😂
They probably restrict just about everything, since they started to get too much publicity after videos like this one.
man you got a balls of thunder to do that you know what when we were in palawan back then I remember we ride a small boat but not like a kayak its quite big actually and while getting pass the river those damn giant salt water crocs are really scary but unlike yours it was like crossing on a heavy populated area of gators if I were there I would surely have a heart attack
Luckily for me, alligators aren't as aggressive as crocodiles. I don't think I'd attempt this among a bunch of crocodiles.
GREAT! New subs! 😍
I’m just now buying a 14’ Kayak and I’ll be out fitting it with mostly DYI modifications. I’ll make a lay down mast for a go pro and attachable sail rig to use the wind when it’s beneficial.
Here’s my big question; when you camp do you ever try camping / sleep in your Kayak? I’m thinking about this but I’m thinking about gators too.
I'd be worried about snakes and spiders more than gators in that situation. Although I've been prepared (mentally) to sleep in my kayak while on long trips, I've never had to do it. I always either made it to my destination or found a dry place to setup camp.
I forgot to mention the hammock tent is a great option to carry along with you on any kayak trip. It can always be setup over water if your can't find dry land. Just make sure to purchase the bug net for the hammock tent and some straps in case the trees are too far apart.
I lived in Tampa for 2 years and I am from South Florida in South Florida Wellington I only saw maybe 2-3 gators that were 6 ft yet when I moved to Tampa I saw gators 14 feet that I was scared to walk my dog a Boston Terrier I was always super safe because I can't believe how big these gators are like huge gators I couldn't believe it.
What time of year is best? Also can you post a GPS coord for the best spot?
I'd day winter through spring because the water is low and the shoreline plant growth is minimal, which gives lots of space on the banks for them to hang out.
shiet! FL has those half-breed Gater/Croc that are aggressive!
Amazing video! These gators fascinate me. I always had a huge time for them since I was a child. And now I'm 28 years old. There r beautiful. God bless u and these beautiful reptiles. I admire the beauty of them. I live in Ocala Florida. Me and my parents will b moving to Orlando or Kissimmee soon. I was born and raised in Mays Landing South New Jersey in Atlantic County. We don't have them up there. Only in zoos we see them 🩷💯🫶🩷
Jim do you have contact info? Wanted to.see about using a few clips of your video
For what do you plan to use the clips?
Shwimmmmp!!!!!!! I'm getting into Kayaking and I stumbled on your channel ahah lol!!!!!!!!
Toojack isn't ringing any bells.
Hey, looking at planning a trip to deep hole. Any good launch sites near the deep hole? Any recommendations other than deep hole while visiting the Myakka River? Any particularly nice parts of the river?
Best place to launch is from the south side of the park, just after the entrance. The entire river is pretty, but there's a weir on the south side of Lake Myakka and another weir just south of Deep Hole. I've kayaked the river from Myakka City to the Gulf of Mexico and we just pulled our kayaks out and around the weirs. The weirs are just concrete walls which regulate how much water flows out of the lakes. There are a few trails inside the park to walk and bike on and a visitor center at the north end, but on the south side of Myakka Lake. They serve food inside and have a pretty decent sized gift shop. That's about all I know about it at the moment. O yeah, sometimes they have signs which say you aren't allowed to paddle south of Highway 72. That's during the breading season. Signs are there for a good reason. Just don't tell them your intentions when entering the park.
@@JimWellman cool thanks. I gave them a call also and they suggest to park near the Log Pavilion. Are the weirs tame enough to ride down? If you're ever on the east coast be sure to check out Riverbend park. Its one of 2 federally designated wild and scenic rivers in Florida. Theres a couple dams there that are shallow enough to ride the kayak right over without any real danger for an adult
@@thatangularguy957 Each time I've kayaked the river, the weirs were above the waterline and therefore you had to put the kayak out of the water and go around them.
That giant airboat might be the single most obnoxious thing I've ever seen. I really don't know how much they'd have to pay ME to get near that thing. Now a quiet solar battery/electric pontoon boat would be nice, and would allow much better nature viewing.
Gators are crazy big yo
Holy crap the gator at 2:04 is crazy big!,
Another few miles down the river I saw the largest gator I've ever seen.
Being from Florida I’m used to gators and can’t say I’m afraid of them but I have have a healthy respect for them and when out I make sure to go out of my way to give them space. Here you are going out out in a small piece of plastic not much bigger than some of them and at eye level. No thanks. That’s crazy. I’ll sit in an airboat or bigger boat higher up in the water that a gator won’t tip if he wants too.
Don't get me wrong, I thought about what could be, over and over and over. I've been on many rivers in FL and have, on numerous occasions, had gators dive into the water off of the bank. As I watch their bubble trail pop up under my kayak as it glides through the water above them, I always wonder what could be. Thankfully, I'm still around. This may sound far fetched, but if you've seen that monster gator on the golf course in some viral videos, I am pretty sure he (or she) swam under my kayak while kayaking this river from start to finish back in 2009. That was the largest living creature I've ever seen in the wild, and it wasn't far from where this video was taken.
Canoed the Peace River...lots of big gators
That's scary. Too many gators. I wonder how they get enough to eat. I think it's a gator epidemic. That's a cool video.
There were quite a few birds walking around the gators while they sat on the bank, so I'm sure birds are a popular choice.
alligators eat almost anything... fish, turtles, mammals, crabs, other alligators
they have a much lower metabolism than mammalian predators of the same size, meaning they don't need to eat nearly as much to survive as bears or big cats
What are your thoughts on a sit on top kayak vs your sit in? I am in Tampa area also, looking to start kayaking and thinking I am going towards sit on top. Thanks
If you plan to take long trips, a sit inside touring kayak is the way to go. If you plan to fish all the time, you may want a sit on top that's outfitted for fishing.
I like the sit inside style due to the lower center of gravity and lots of storage. I've also attached some Scotty rod holders onto it for fishing.
I've taken quite a few multi day trips in my sit inside and wouldn't change a thing. I've seen people flip sit on tops in rougher water while on a couple overnight trips. Not that it couldn't happen to a sit inside, but it hasn't happened to me yet and I've been in some bad stuff in Charlotte Harbor.
You should try some out and really think about what you plan to use it for before settling. I also recommend Craigslist. That's where I got both the kayaks you see in this video. Both were less than half of retail price and came with paddles and life jackets.
@@JimWellman I've been looking as well, as I live in Boca Raton. I hear that sit in ones get really hot, which is bad for everglades weather. and although sit on ones may flip easier due to their higher center of gravity , they're self bailing. we have a rental place at our local everglades refuge. any tips or suggestions for someone who's never kayaked amongst gators? they have a nighttime tour as well, where u go out after sunset for a couple hours. seems a bit spooky. have u ever encountered a gator that goes after a raft? do u use the water skirts with your sit in ones?
@@thatangularguy957 I've kayaked the everglades from Chokoloskee to Flamingo in a sit inside. It was hot. I got poured on. I used a skirt occasionally, which made it hotter, but I still wouldn't own a sit on top.
We encountered gators and crocodiles in that trip. Can't say that I've ever seen a gator come after a raft.
@@JimWellman interesting. So is the main reason for the choice being stability? I had read this article which suggested that the sit on ones are super stable as well. Ive only used sit in ones in wisconsin. Ive never tried sit on ones. The arthur marshall loxahatchee national park only rents out sit in ones it seems. paddling.com/learn/sit-on-top-vs-sit-inside-kayaks/
@@thatangularguy957 I like to be able to store things behind my seat and between my legs. Because I'm in a sit-inside, I don't have to worry about those things falling out and if it rains, they stay dry (somewhat).
While crossing Charlotte Harbor on the final day of a trip down the Myakka River (the first time I'd kayaked it), my cousin, who was in a sit-on-top, flipped over because the waves were so big. It was a nasty day out there, but were determined to complete the trip that evening, so we crossed the harbor knowing we'd get wet along the way. I was paddling around collecting what was still floating, while I sat somewhat comfortable in my sit-inside.
Another thing...my cousin's butt is always wet, or will eventually get wet during a journey while on his Wilderness Systems Tarpon 16'. I'm sure someone makes a sit-on-top that keeps your butt dry, but I haven't ridden in too many to know if they exist. When water gets in mine, I use a sponge to dry it out. You don't have the same flexibility with with his because of how they mount the seat. If I remember correctly, there are holes beneath the seat to allow water to drain out, but it also allows water to come in. They make stoppers to prevent the water from coming in, but they then prevent the water from draining. I don't have to worry about all that extra stuff with my sit-inside.
What is that big circle looking part of the river? Why do all of the alligators seem to hang out there?
It's just a deep hole that is very secluded in comparison to the rest of the park. So not many people around there. It's also not really affected by the river current, so that may have something to do with it.
@@JimWellman interesting, awesome video
Beautiful adventure. It takes balls . . . not for me. I like to weigh: Risk vs. Reward. Maybe in my younger days? I've gone Diving in the Open Ocean. Age brings Wisdom. Stay Safe brother.
Excellent video. This deserves a lot more views than it has. Lots of big Gucci handbags floating around in that area!
Ha ha.. stop!!😆
Pretty scary dude . Aurora , Colorado 🌞
Seems like a bright idea
I wish you would have rescued that turtle.
Read my response to similar comments below.
And I'll ask you this... Would you take a fish off of someone's fishing line before they could reel it in?
@@JimWellman fair enough. I guess I didn’t realize that people fish for turtles. They’re pretty heavily protected up north.
@@spencerstottlemyer5593 depending on their financial situation, people will eat just about anything.
@@JimWellman yeah I can imagine there are plenty of good things to eat in those waters. Our rivers are pretty gross up here so I wouldn’t dare unless I was deep into wv.
@@spencerstottlemyer5593 where are you located?
You should have let go the turtle.
My God - you've got some cojones on you do just casually kayak in gator territory. I mean, what if you were catch of the day for a hungry gator 😳😱😆
They won't bother you if you don't bother them. There are ppl who go diving at deep hole, it's 131 ft deep 30 ft down around the edge it's a ledge straight down. Gators don't go that deep either, so it's a wild place for sure
Is kayaking near gators dangerous? Kayaks are very low to the water and can flip?!?!
Yes it is!!!
I wouldn't kayak there without pistol just in case. You had a good sail there but don't underestimate alligators. They are wild animals. there is always a risk that one of them may attack you someday. That someday can be a last day for someone.
Nah, as long as you go with someone that has been before, the gators there are used to boats, as long as nobody messes with them, they usually will not come close, if they do get curious you smack paddle on water and it drives them. They ambush but not in deep water , and they are not croc aggressive, but have plenty of food there. It's your own risk, but it's not as bad as you think
@@shable1436 maybe, but one in million exception can be you! then you are dead! It's the nature. That smart Croc hunter got killed by manta ray, I don't think he was less knowledgeable than you.
What are you going to do with a pistol? In the extremely unlikely case that a gator attacks you, you’d be better served using the paddle to deflect the gator than dropping the paddle to fumble for pistol that you would never get to in time anyways.
@@philmaxwell1 my pistol is always tucked in front waist band. It can easily be drawn to first shot within 1.5 seconds
@@philmaxwell1 We carry a pistol with bear rounds in it and a laser sight. Just put the red dot on it and fire away.
Yeah, No thanks, that's just a few too many gators for me.
Cool vid but did u release the turtle?
No. It wasn't my trot line. Letting it go would be like stealing from someone.
I know this is hard for some people to accept, but there are people who catch, raise, or purchase their own meat for sustenance. Taking the turtle off of the line could be compared to taking food out of someone's child's mouth, or compared to stealing someone's food.
I disagree turtles are not food - plenty of fish and súper Walmarts - I think it was cruel to leave the poor turtle in pain for no reason - too bad I was already really liking your channel but I am an animal lover cannot agree with what you did.
@@Jasmandii
Are you seriously suggesting people should not produce their own food and go to walmart instead?
Walmart is worse for the animals AND for sustainability.
I could kinda understand being annoyed at him for leaving the turtle if you were a vegan yourself.
But you are just a moron if you are telling people to stop fishing an go to walmart.
@@JimWellman Thats just vicious of you.. 🤬🤬🤬
@@JimWellman dont worry about it Who cares? I would love 2 see u on that line u peice of shit
If you're the kind of individual who needs a sign ( with illustration, mind you) to explain that gators are dangerous.....yeah, you probably can't read it. Lol. Seriously, very slick video. Who's operating drone?
It flies itself. One of the drone's settings allows it to fly circles around or follow an object.
@@JimWellman that's really cool. Nice work.
It seems as if these guys want to be attacked by a gator and are vastly underestimating the danger and pain (and possible death) a gator can cause.
Crocs alligators snakes a also one shark can go in fresh water too
But did you free the turtle ??
It wasn't my turtle to free. It was on the end of somebody's fishing line.
So did you go swimming with the gators in the highly dense populated gator areas? ;)
At least it's safer than swimming with saltwater crocs. Although I think Steve Erwin did before, and he was killed by a stingray and not a croc.
Gator's are no safer than croc's they're all more active at night
@@genabargay4391 (compared to Crocs) Gators are LESS aggressive (relatively) to Crocs...Crocs are far more dangerous and aggressive towards humans than gators. Not saying gators are less dangerous to humans but "compare" to Crocs it is...
5:09 you didn't save the turtle ⁉️😡
It wasn't mine. "Saving" it would be like stealing someone's food.
Jim Wellman
Really bro ? U should have released the turtle, trot lines cannot be left for dead so to speak that turtle was a bycatch... I’m not saying it’s your fault I’m just saying Sometimes you should just do the right fucking thing.
@@f.baccari5227 you do realize that that turtle was probably going to be someone meal right? And if he let the turtle go some family might not have had food.
What was on the trot line??
It was a soft shell turtle.
@@JimWellman and you didn't at least cut the line?
@@irvingfive7955 Not sure if you've ever caught or raised the food you eat, but what you're wanting me to do is the equivalent of taking food out of someone's child's mouth.
If you saw someone fishing, would you cut their line if you saw they hooked a fish?
@@JimWellman I forgot, it's Florida.
@@irvingfive7955 good point; however I'm sure there's people near you who catch, raise, or hunt for their food.
Gator city
THIS IS CALLED DOWN TO EARTH ADVENTURING AND COMMENTATING NICE VID
Man you should have cut that line so that fish isn't just stuck on it till it dies...
But why
Nah sir, Gators are waiting for you
Kayaking +alligators =🛰🐊=.......
Funny. Ive seen gators jump in 20' boats to try and get at fishermen. Not really sure they are gonna be afraid of a 14' kayak. According to every state. Every animal is in decline. Wonder why they think that
Why didn’t you help the turtle
It wasn't my fishing line.
Trot lines are unacceptable.
Have ever been attacked by one ?
I have never and I don't think they're have been any attacks in this area.
It's always possible.
@@JimWellman cool
That’s pretty intense, I would’ve smack that gator. Poking his head out the water.
Kinda like whack-a-mole.
아재이즈 서프라이즈
Uh... don't think so...🤦🤦🤦
Should have saved the turtle 😢
You could just take the hook out for that turtle.
It wasn't my trotline.
@@JimWellman Doesn't matter. He was going got fish anyways, not turtle.
@@mariatorres9789 That statement implies that you know the individual, and his or her intentions. You may want to pass along your concern to them. Had I removed that turtle, it would have been like taking food from his, her, or their children's mouths. I know it's hard to believe that someone would eat meat, but it happens quite often.
@@JimWellman Lol, I eat meat everyday. I'm not a libtard vegan. I didn't know people eat turtles. I haven't known anyone that eats turtles, since my grandpa.
thats a lot of gators you ever take any weapons just in case things get out of hand?
I don't think a weapon would help if one jumped up and grabbed me. I think that'd just be the end.
Omg hell no
What’s the point of putting yourself in such dangerous situation? You only need on of these animals having a bad day. All the best though…
Why would i play russian roulette with my life while kayaking
You really should not check other people’s set lines.
Noooooooope
Gators are fine unless you run into them mating or into babies. Crocodiles are a different story
Man I loved your video and I think the entire adventure was great but you’ll have to forgive me because I’m going to criticize you a little bit. You guys are getting WAY to close to some of those big boys man, when you mentioned your kayak being 14 feet long that really doesn’t matter, alligators know that you are a human and that your kayak is just a vessel you can be snatched up and dragged out of it with minimal effort on the gators part, I kayak with gators here and there myself they are hard to avoid. Stay safe my friend.
You do know. Gator can take you from your tiny boat.you got balls.
Probably not the best decision I've ever made.
Why didn’t you let the turtle free? Your evil
You actually left a poor turtle that was stuck on a line that was caught??? Thats messed up stating who cares...
Bro why is this legal? Is it not dangerous?
Using that logic you'd never be able to drive a car or leave your house.
@@JimWellman i was genuinely asking if its dangerous, so chill man. I have definitely driven and leave my house daily. I have been to Afghanistan in combat twice so quit tripping. However, danger is still real. You wouldn’t be kayaking in a saltwater infested river nor jump out of plane without a shoot right? Difference between stupid and facing your fears. I was asking if the alligators there were big or how safe it is.
You could have cut the turtle loose and saved it's life - but no instead you were like "who cares"
It wasn't my turtle to cut loose.
You should educate yourself about a more rural way of life. There are people in this world who catch much of what they eat. Cutting the line would be the equivalent of stealing food from someone.
My mom: Those things will kill everything and there violent
Me:Awww so cute
Tell her I've been through there a few times and have emerged with all my limbs intact.
K I did XD
Really jumpy over a turtle
Let's just say, "he's not from around here."
I will never watch another of your videos. It's a turtle. Who cares? Would it have killed you guys to take a few minutes to release the turtle?
Make sure to like and subscribe before you leave.
And educate yourself about a rural lifestyle before making judgement about how the less fortunate obtain their food. You can learn a lot.
Same
Kool, you should do private tours.🛶🐊💰
I think they'd frown upon that.
Talk about serving yourselves up on a plate fcs 🤯🚣🐊😋🍲🚣🙏
The more comments I read like this, and as I get older, I realize this probably wasn't the smartest thing I've done; however, after kayaking through there as many times as I have, I'll do it again.
Crocs alligators snakes a also one shark can go in fresh water too
Omg hell no