OnEm.. Where is that cause I am too close now!

The big thick one is a cottonmouth, and i guarantee you don't want to tangle with him. The other one sure looks like a rat snake. Might be a banded or diamondback water snake, too blurry to make a positive id. Either way it is not poisonous, and would rather run than fight.

Rudy

FYI venomous or not they will all bite yo ____ so just avoid them and be safe.

This was on a farm pond in Palestine around 5pm. Was on the dam and walked right passed it within 2' tops, after I caught my breath, I turned around and snapped these pics. It didn't have that distinct cotton mouth smell that I've always heard of them having, nor was it aggressive that day, thank god. Scared me pretty bad went and bought some Rocky snake boots a few days later. Way cheaper than a hospital bill and now I have a peace of mind when I bank fish. Be careful out there guys.

I fished for creek sandies quite a bit this year and seen several snakes.. Probably the most i've ever seen fishing so far.

One trip I was next to a water moccasin for about 30 minutes without me knowing it. They look like some mean SOB's!
Also it rattled its tail as it left.. assuming to imitate a rattle snake..? Anyone see that before?
Here's the video of it. Start it at 6:53 for the snake. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME7365I641k

Yup that was a cotton mouth aka water moccasin in that video. No way I'd be fishing that area without some protection on my feet/caves

A lot of snakes will do that . I might be wrong but I think It's a defensive move to make predators attack the tail instead of the head .

Don't believe the tale that they can't bite underwater.....a friend of mine found out they hard way. He was seining for minnows in the river and saw a cottonmouth slip into the water. He didn't move and watched as it went underwater. He thought he would be ok as long as it didn't surface near him.....when it bit him just above the ankle in 3' of water. Lots of pain and swelling and several days in the hospital.....

Cute

Yeah I probably should invest in some high wading boots. luckily most of the creeks I was in are very clear where you could see what was around you and were you were stepping. Still scary though.

My head has learned to be on a greased swivel over the years lol

The chiggers would eat me up if I don't protect myself somehow. I at least have to use some insect repellent. I hate spraying myself with that stuff though. So I end up wearing mud boots. But they come in handy when bank fishing just not comfy to walk around in.

Really enjoyed the video and thanks for the tips. I am not much of an herpetologist, but IMO that looked a lot like a yellow bellied water snake (non-venomous but can have a temper too like the moccasin).

I don't like it either, but I found one that isn't sticky and doesn't smell like chemicals. Repel Lemon-Eucalyptus, deet-free. It works great. Every now and then, if I can't find it, or if I'm sweating a lot, I will use the Repel 100, which is 97% deet. You WILL NOT get bit by anything with that stuff.