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Headed out early before classes today to my favorite walk-to drain. Water was low and muddy. I did however see some reds cruising a bit further out. The reds were just outside my comfortable casting range with a hackberry. I knew I could reach em, but at that range, I would more than likely hit one on the head than plop it in front of it like I wanted. I changed to a topwater, my favorite chartreuse/ white spook jr, for the extra distance and at least a shot. When I turned around after tying my spook, the reds had disappeared. Perplexed, I stood there, hoping their tails or wakes would give an indication where they went. The sun just peeked out of some early fog/ clouds and was directly at my face so it got difficult to see. I had to squint more than usual. 
I then saw a big swirl and some bubbles where I last saw the redfish. I made a bullet cast past it and quickly walked it back in. I noisily walked my spook go past the swirl and saw something under the water turn. I saw a push of water and slowed my retrieve down. The fish didn't chase after it, but I knew I had its attention, so I stopped and did the pause and twitch retrieve. The fish moved closer and closer to my spook. The air, while fresh from the morning dew, was rife with tension. Personally I was oozing with anticipation. Suddenly I heard a large splash over by the fallen log and looked over there... It was a big mullet jumping. I returned and looked at my spook to see the fish almost at it. By now the spook was a little over 10 yds from the bank where it got really shallow. I made one last twitch...and I saw two eyes pop up....and make a beeline for my spook! I shouted some expletive and reeled in quickly and a 4 foot gator LAUNCHED itself out of the water for my spook! I jerked the spook out of the water and instinctively pulled out my dive knife since now I was fearing for my safety. The gator was nearly beached and in less than a foot of water. Its eyes were looking at me while I had scrambled up the bank, never taking my eyes off it. I got ready to defend myself, taking solace in the fact that I recently sharpened my knife. The gator simply turned around and submerged itself as it swam off. Naturally, I packed up and called it a day as I don't want to tango with a gator this early in my life. Maybe one day...
Tight lines everyone and stay safe!
I then saw a big swirl and some bubbles where I last saw the redfish. I made a bullet cast past it and quickly walked it back in. I noisily walked my spook go past the swirl and saw something under the water turn. I saw a push of water and slowed my retrieve down. The fish didn't chase after it, but I knew I had its attention, so I stopped and did the pause and twitch retrieve. The fish moved closer and closer to my spook. The air, while fresh from the morning dew, was rife with tension. Personally I was oozing with anticipation. Suddenly I heard a large splash over by the fallen log and looked over there... It was a big mullet jumping. I returned and looked at my spook to see the fish almost at it. By now the spook was a little over 10 yds from the bank where it got really shallow. I made one last twitch...and I saw two eyes pop up....and make a beeline for my spook! I shouted some expletive and reeled in quickly and a 4 foot gator LAUNCHED itself out of the water for my spook! I jerked the spook out of the water and instinctively pulled out my dive knife since now I was fearing for my safety. The gator was nearly beached and in less than a foot of water. Its eyes were looking at me while I had scrambled up the bank, never taking my eyes off it. I got ready to defend myself, taking solace in the fact that I recently sharpened my knife. The gator simply turned around and submerged itself as it swam off. Naturally, I packed up and called it a day as I don't want to tango with a gator this early in my life. Maybe one day...Tight lines everyone and stay safe!
COMMUNITY WITH A LARGE
PROBLEM AND A 
PROBLEM.
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