Just wondering if any of you carry something with you to "repel" snakes while bank or wade fishing? Small pistol? Stick? Tall boots? Also curious how often any of you cross paths with the many Texas snakes we are blessed with?

I collect nice hardwood walking sticks while running up and down the banks. Whittle a good whomping stick out when I have time. I wrap/coil some wire around the bottom to rattle/vibrate when I walk, and walk heavy, stick heavy around rocks etc. * They scamper 80% of the time i'd say. Some get the stink eye going, the water snakes can be quite onery too. Steel toe boots mid calf and jeans. See snakes every day just about on land and in the water.

Too many run ins with TPWD to risk any "weapons" those guys are ninjas

snakes wont bother you unless you get too close, if they do cross your path a few light taps with a long stick and they will rocket off into the bushes...problem solved

I cant remember the last time I fished and DIDNT see a snake, but even if you don't see them, they're still there. The difference between you and I is I actually like them so Im always looking for them. With that said, I wouldnt worry about it. I do carry a "snake hook" with me when I fish so I can move them if they cant be avoided. But other than that, I have never had a negative interaction with a snake while fishing.

Where I flyfish the Brazos, They commute back and forth all day. They allways seem to avoid me. I think they can see real good. I waded pass the biggest Black snake on a brush pile and did not see the body until passed,within 10'. Within a minuite it was gone and popped up river and went up the bank.Its whole body was swimming above water.So I think it was a Moc.The Brown Diamond backs seem to swim below with only head above.I have had them pop up next to me with sand bass in there mouth.

here's a good link to a description of a moc vs common warer snakes:
http://www.coastalplainsreptiles.com/articles/Everyone/ReallyMoccasin.html

Les

Les, Good read. I went to Barns&Noble and looked up TexasSnakes. Mocs are brown. Hummm. I see alot of Brown snakes that are not big and some that are.

You may confuse a watersnake for a Moc.....but trust me...you will never mistake a Moc for a watersnake....