[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by frayedends

Just don’t grab your fish at the edge of the pond. Pull it up onto land to unhook. Common sense and gators aren’t gonna be a problem.

A lot of people make the mistake of THROWING a fish through the air when they return them to water. That bursts some of their internal organs and eventually kills them. To return them properly you have unhook them and place them gently back into the water. Personally, I think that any alligator over 3 ft should be captured and sold to restaurants.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by xcaligirl

People might want to be aware of "Laws Protect American Alligators And Crocodiles".

Not one of those laws prevents self defense.

[Black Beauty]

I use nightclawlers but shiners are better. I fish way up north. Glenview has been good for bass

[Normal]

Originally Posted by Black Beauty

I use nightclawlers but shiners are better. I fish way up north. Glenview has been good for bass

Goldfish work really well up north. I would imagine they work well in Florida Ponds.

[DaddyD]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

It happens very infrequently.

Gator Bites Off Fisherman's Hand on a Florida Golf Course | Outdoor Life

Fixed your post for ya'...

2nd generation / lifetime Floridian here...my Dad has second homes on several lakes in Florida over the years--Lake Placid, Lake Owens, Lake Weir--and I've lived on a private (no public access) spring fed lake for nearly a decade now.

Alligator attacks are EXTREMELY rare, and generally-speaking the only time a gator becomes a problem is because ignorant people feed them and they lose their fear of man. Every puddle of water in Florida has an alligator (or 10) in it...they are just not a problem.

Statistically speaking, dogs and cows kill/injure WAY more humans every year than alligators, but hey, keep up the fear mongering...

[DaddyD]

Originally Posted by Schmitth

I can’t say that I’ve spent much time fishing in the past. I have a relative coming down next month and he expressed an interest in fishing some of the local ponds. He asked about using minnows. Is this the best type of bait/lure to use for the ponds here in The Villages? Where is the best place to fish? He lives out of state. Is a fishing license required (68 years old)?

The answer to your question you're really asking, which is "What's the best type of bait to use?", depends entirely on what species of fish you're trying to catch.

If it's bass he's interested in, there's nothing better than a wild golden shiner--that's caviar to bass!

Worms & nightcrawler are also good, but if it's bluegill & crappie he's after, heck, bread on a small hook works just fine.

I have no idea how good the fishing is in the retention ponds in & around TV, but I'm guessing not so great. There's a park near downtown Leesburg that has a nice dock that you can fish off of...I don't know how good the fishing is there, either, (it's likely over-fished) but you're guaranteed to have lots of turtles swim up to you looking for handouts!

[DaddyD]

Anyone on this forum that's a really good at catching bass? If you have a boat & trailer & are willing to teach me how to fish better (I'm easily the world's worst fisherman and it's not even close) I live on a private 100 acre lake that's rarely fished (no public access) and might be willing to allow you to put your boat in on my property in exchange for taking me out w/ you & teaching me how to actually catch something and not just caste. Plus I'll bring the beer!

[Snakster66]

Originally Posted by DaddyD

Statistically speaking, dogs and cows kill/injure WAY more humans every year than alligators, but hey, keep up the fear mongering...

I'm surpised dogs and cows kill ANY alligators.

[shut the front door]

I'm probably on your level as a fisherman, but I'd be glad to sit in a boat and drink your beer!

[DaddyD]

Originally Posted by Snakster66

I'm surpised dogs and cows kill ANY alligators.

ha! nice catch...