A BWS will flatten it's body out like that when in a defensive position (just like a moccassin). Can't see enough of the head to tell if it's a cottonmouth or a BWS, but sure looks like a cottonmouth. I'm assuming you know your snakes, Fitz. You were much closer to it so you should know for sure which it is.

Zooming in on the face, the horizontal black stripes tell me it's a cottonmouth

Sure looks like a moccasin to me. Either way I�d kill it !,

Cottonmouth acting like a typical cottonmouth.

Choot em...final answer

Not diet related but more habitat related just like some fish are darker in murkier waters etc.

head and body look like a moc to me.

That is a cottonmouth. That diamond shaped head is a give away.

I guess everyone should've just stuck with the title of the thread.

http://www.uta.edu/biology/herpetology/watersnakes.htm

http://www.texassnakes.net/blotched.htm

If a non-venomous snake wants to try and act all thug life and venomous, then I will have prejudices against it.

I've never seen a blotched water snake swim with its head up and float. Can't see the tail but if it had a stump tail moc

That snake deserves to die....

Looks like a moccasin to me, Derek should be able to confirm

This is fun.