Just getting into the float tube thing, but my greatest fear are snakes. What do you do when they get close to you? Don't want to do the wrong thing..

You leave them alone, they will leave you alone.

I see a lot of snakes and very few are even interested in what I'm doing. If one gets in the area I'm in, I leave or slap the water with my pole and away they go. I'm very careful along the shoreline getting in and out of the water but pretty comfortable once I get outside the grass line.

Learn to identify which ones are harmful, that might help. Just cause they move and have no arms or legs doesn't mean that they are the DEVIL.

Make sure you grab it by its head.

Paddle faster!!!

I got into a mess of water mocassins one time but they didnt panic. I did. We just moved slowly and they swam around the tubes. Patted the water with the tip of the pole just to let them know we were there.

wack it with your pole or carry a long machete next to your tube make sure its secure and not going to cut ur tube up. if it ever comes close enough, slice it in half..i'd rather take a snakes life than it taking mine while fishing. i've heard of stories from my buddies about mocassins swiming up to their tubes or trying to get in their boats. a snake within 4 feet of me in the water is a dead one.

we fear what we don't understand.

snakes are more afraid of you then the other way around. During mating season they can get a little more brave - but don't mistake that for aggresion. Give them room and a little tap with rod tip is all that is needed. I do not think swinging a machette while in a tube is sound advise. IMHO

it sounds like a excellant way to end up on youtube tho

if they are mating and balled up- dont get anywhere near them.

I woulda been screaming like a little girl who stepped on sand burs if that had happened to me!

I am thinking I would have to carry a sawed off shot gun in my tube!

I carry a co2 pistol during the mating time of year because yes the snakes are more aggressive them. other than that they leave you alone usually. slap them with your rod of they get too close. amazing how much damage a rod will do.

Drink a pint of jack then 8 or nine beers and have that big knife ready and swing away!!!

LOL !!!!