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Huge Snapping Turtle
#14672472
03/27/23 01:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148
slopez
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148 |
My nephew and I were fishing a slough (sp?) on Lake Winnsboro yesterday. He thought he was hung up. He was, on the biggest snapping turtle I have ever even heard of, much less seen. He snagged on the side, and it was not happy. this is a picture of its head. The second pic is its side. This thing was 3 1/2 feet across. Its feet were as big as my hands. He fought it for about 10 min before I cut the line for him. We just wanted to get another look at it. We were in awe. The pictures dont do it justice. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2023/03/full-108479-177385-20230326_103756.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2023/03/full-108479-177386-20230326_103319.jpg)
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14672547
03/27/23 02:37 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,674
avid_basser
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,674 |
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14672548
03/27/23 02:37 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 23,614
T Bird
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 23,614 |
Okie by birth, Texan by choice. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2021/01/full-47849-80883-111.jpg) USAF "Thunderbirds" Alumni 1985-1989
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14672550
03/27/23 02:40 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 5,121
pop r
TFF Celebrity
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Posts: 5,121 |
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14673254
03/27/23 11:57 PM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 46
Capt BB
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 46 |
Boeing--> Airbus--> Phoenix 20PHX
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14673323
03/28/23 12:45 AM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,752
Rayzor
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Be safe, Rayzor ![[Linked Image]](http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp267/JLedbetter/th_Boatpics036.jpg) 2001 Triton Tx-21/225 Mercury EFI
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14673422
03/28/23 02:43 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,665
cob
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,665 |
Found from Trinity river east in Texas. TPWD considers them a threatened species.
Some people go to church and think about fishing. Some go fishing and think about God.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14673438
03/28/23 02:48 AM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 9,958
Texan Til I Die
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 9,958 |
"If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14673495
03/28/23 05:02 AM
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 224
Skeeter4x4
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 224 |
I saw one on fork I SWEAR shell was 5-6' wide
Adam Ramirez
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14673779
03/28/23 02:32 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,580
GTrigg
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,580 |
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14674551
03/29/23 01:36 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,670
Tommar
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,670 |
That’s why I don’t noodle for catfish!
US Army and TXARNG 1984-2014 Gulf War 90-91 Iraq 2004-05 A'stan 2009 VFW Post Commander 2013-15
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: Tommar]
#14676514
03/30/23 07:42 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 159
K5RCD
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 159 |
Be careful with those Snappers. If one clamps down on you, it won't let loose till it thunders!
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14676686
03/30/23 09:33 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 39,462
butch sanders
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 39,462 |
that is ancient did you snag his shell?
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14677423
03/31/23 02:26 PM
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 104
Gray_Ghost9
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 104 |
That looks big, only seen one other and it was at Lavon.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: Skeeter4x4]
#14677467
03/31/23 02:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 620
KnotEnuff
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 620 |
I must have seen the same one on Fork.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: Skeeter4x4]
#14677471
03/31/23 03:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 620
KnotEnuff
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 620 |
I must have seen the same one on Fork. I saw one on fork I SWEAR shell was 5-6' wide
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: butch sanders]
#14680160
04/03/23 06:39 PM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148
slopez
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148 |
that is ancient did you snag his shell? He was snagged right under the shell. Im not sure if it was in meat or shell. You can see it on second pic.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14695620
04/20/23 03:40 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 40
1975-Monark
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 40 |
that can take a finger off, what a big one.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14696126
04/20/23 05:16 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,414
Osbornfishing
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
Big males can weigh over 200 pounds with a length of over 30 inches. They are amazing animals. Their bite radius is much greater than many other turtles and they are lightening fast. Be careful if you encounter one.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: Tommar]
#14696153
04/20/23 05:49 PM
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 149
Unclebubba
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 149 |
That’s why I don’t noodle for catfish! My first thoughts exactly!
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14696244
04/20/23 07:17 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,681
Bruce Allen
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,681 |
I saw the one at Fork several times ten years ago.
When I was a kid in the early 50's wondering around in the piney forest, I came across a pair doing their things in a little creek about 5 feet across. These two, one on top of the other, were as wide as the creek.
Many years later a biggun came up thru the pines to a 35 acre tank where I lived and ate everything except some big swans. All the ducks, baby ducks, muskrats, baby beavers and baby swans were gone. Its head was as big as a saltwater turtle. I could have grabbed it by the tail one day from my boat, but I figured it would just pull me into the water. It disappeared after a couple of months.
Lake Fork Anglers Every Thursday Daytime Tournaments. Lake Fork Sportsman's Association www.lakeforksa.com/We are VERY PROUD of our Induction into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: KnotEnuff]
#14721654
05/15/23 10:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 915
JWRid
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 915 |
I must have seen the same one on Fork. I saw one on fork I SWEAR shell was 5-6' wide Ditto, I thought it was an alligator at first, huge.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: Tommar]
#14724159
05/18/23 11:56 AM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,864
Oldrabbit
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,864 |
That’s why I don’t noodle for catfish!  Ain't that the truth, that one could take a hand or arm off quickly.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14724495
05/18/23 03:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,081
barbarian
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,081 |
They used to sell them live almost that big out of the back of a truck on side of road in south La back in the day. Probably why they’re endangered today.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: barbarian]
#14724754
05/18/23 06:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 30
Camper_Bob
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 30 |
They used to sell them live almost that big out of the back of a truck on side of road in south La back in the day. Probably why they’re endangered today. Who would buy one and why? Honest question.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: Camper_Bob]
#14726728
05/20/23 02:55 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,864
Oldrabbit
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,864 |
They used to sell them live almost that big out of the back of a truck on side of road in south La back in the day. Probably why they’re endangered today. Who would buy one and why? Honest question. He is talking about Louisiana, they eat them. Seriously, I know folks that had gatherings and that was the main course.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14732919
05/27/23 09:22 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,824
Grainraiser
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,824 |
I saw a guy snag a small one on Rowlett creek and he was going to cut the line. A asian guy ran down and grab the turtle and threw it in a cooler. He was very happy to get him.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14733438
05/28/23 06:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,300
Stump jumper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,300 |
My grandfather had a place on Squaw Creek in northern IL between Fox Lake and Long Lake. I spent summers there as a kid. We ran a troline baited with cut bluegills between his dock and the neighbors. One time we caught a big snapping turtle that he said was close to a 100lbs. My brother and I had fun playing with it and seeing how big of a stick it could snap in half. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2023/05/full-6989-184636-20230102_103332.jpg)
2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax 2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14744887
06/10/23 03:00 AM
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 45
CDS
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 45 |
They love it when you rub their nose with your finger. They smile big.
I come from the water.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14812457
08/15/23 06:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 104
TimFish4Life
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 104 |
I once hooked into a giant sea turtle fishing off the jetties in Corpus Christi years ago. fought that monster for nearly 20 minutes until I realized what it was. Eventually the hook dislodged (from the side of his head!), but that seaturtle was about 3-4 foot diameter.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14812609
08/15/23 10:05 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,037
Paparon
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,037 |
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14813027
08/16/23 12:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,512
spacejunkie
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,512 |
Was scuba diving in Cozumel an latched onto a large sea turtle and let it pull me for a short while until it started heading too deep. It was pretty cool and it didn't even seem to be too upset that I was tagging along.
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14813340
08/16/23 05:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,386
Pot licker
TFF Celebrity
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,386 |
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Re: Huge Snapping Turtle
[Re: slopez]
#14813441
08/16/23 06:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,104
reelswift
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,104 |
30 - 40 year lifespan for a common snapping turtle obviously the mortality rate can vary.
Team LVS34 Captain WNB
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