Me and a buddy fished the Texas State Tournament on Sam Rayburn this weekend. Saturday we were fishing a point in Popher's creek area and the wind was murder. We tied up to a lone stickup so we could use the wind and throw our shakey heads across the point. My buddy hollered into the wind and told me to check this out. 60 feet from us, in the water up against the bank was a gator. It was close enough for us to guess-timate it around 14-15 feet long. It submerged and came up again 40 yards out from us as it gave us a wide berth. Tried to get a pic on my phone but the waves had the boat bouncing so much I gave up.

wow 14-15 ft. You need to catch it it would be a Texas state record.

Did he look like this ??????

If Choke had saltwater crocs like that I don't think anybody would go there!

Son and I used to fish at Brazos Bend SP. Gators would position around the area where we were fishing. When you hooked a fish, it was a race to see if you could get the fish out of the water before they grabbed it. They'd follow you as you walked the bank. Even had them under my feet when I stood on the piers.

You would not get a picture like this around Choke Canyon.

This is a Choke gator. He was big.

There are some huge gators at Choke and I've seen big one's out there since just about the time they first opened the lake and I'm sure those same gators are still there and are still hanging around the same places they've always been.

Problem with that is they are really used to seeing people and have no fear of anyone since they are not hunted and have no reason to be afraid.

Like any animal they get smart and learn what they can and can't do and get away with, and some are becoming more and more bold in my opinion just reading the posts after the last few years.

A lot of the incidents probably go unreported and the same with anyone notifying the officials such as the Game Warden.

I just hope nothing happens, but I'm sensing that these animals are out growing their range and a little aggression can be a big problem with the size of these critters.

I know in some of the gulf states they reloacate problem reptiles that can pose a danger when their numbers get out of hand, and I'm afraid that may be just a matter of time down on Choke.

I've seen some giants, but I don't think they were that big, that thing is a hoss.
JR

Gator can be aggressive this time of year, always have. I have heard of thumping the boats for many years.

It's an optical illusion (trick photography). The croc is only 18 ft long, not 36. Of course, 18 is a giant croc alright.

Excellent advice! Somebody's gonna get eaten by one these sooner or later 'cause they don't fear us and Swamp People are teaching us it's OK to play with 'em before we CHOOT 'EM!!!

There are some gators down at Choke that would make Troy Landry "King of the Swamp" salivate or those two bearded brothers, my favorites by the way, say....."OH YE YA BABY!"

I'm not gonna say there's not a 13-15 foot gator in Sam Rayburn Reservoir. There are some awfully swampy bogs up and downstream and the tributaries that feed it all harbor alligators. One of that size in that region is unlikely though, due to the ~ four months out of the year when they're in semi-hibernation.

For the few of you who may not know, if you're close to a gator, estimate the length between the forward corner of his eye socket and the tip of his nose. Multiply x 12 (one foot) and you will be within inches. A HUGE gator will be a bull and 12 inches eye-to-nose. Specimens longer than that are a rarity in our climate. South Louisiana, southern Georgia and Florida on the other hand have many legitimate 13-14 foot specimens. We even have a few south of me, but most top out around 12 feet and 600-800 lbs. if fully mature.

If someone is man enough, the new Texas state record sits on the front nine of Willow Fork country club year round. Of course, he sits wherever he wants and he is well over 13 ft.