I was just a kid from Queens when we moved to Suffolk county; Up to that point my idea of nature was a mosquito bite. It was a time when flounder in the bay and sound were as thick as leaves on the forest floor. We didn't own a proper fishing pole for quite some while but it didn't stop us from falling in love with fishing. I don't remember exactly where we acquired the old salt water rod and reel. It was clunky but it was what we had.
I remember one trip in particular My late brother Bruce and I got up early and went to Miller's pond. I would catch some shiners on dough balls, cut the shiners in half put them on a bigger hook, carefully lay out about 15 yards of line on the ground before me and use my hand and arms to lob the bait out into the pond. Our quarry was catfish. My first bite of the day and I immediately knew something was different when the 'fish' took the bait. My line was some ancient linen like material made for big saltwater fish but this day it would be tested. I pulled and the critter on the other end pulled back As hard as I did. At some point in the tug of war my brother got his arms around me and another kid joined in. I was being pulled close to the water.
We could see quite a commotion in the water when we saw the Goliath snapping turtle. My god his body was easily as big as a wheel barrow (brother Bruce would say VW) and that head ... Sweet Moses. Well thankfully it bit through the line. We fell back onto the floor. Later I learned alligator snappers can grow to 220lbs and live to be 100 years old... amazing animals.
I looked out the widow after 7 tonight and there, much to my amazement, was a snapping turtle headed for my front lawn. There is a creek down the lane about a quarter mile away in the direction mini jaws was heading. My son and I gave him a ride in a 5 gal bucket to the creek, he just fit. While he was no giant he was quite strong - we were careful to avoid that mouth.
I remember reading that snappers migrate... This is the second time I've rescued one from the road.
It took me back in time I've got a soft spot for those ugly beasts. Hey Bruce if your listening remember that snapping turtle?
Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum
I remember one trip in particular My late brother Bruce and I got up early and went to Miller's pond. I would catch some shiners on dough balls, cut the shiners in half put them on a bigger hook, carefully lay out about 15 yards of line on the ground before me and use my hand and arms to lob the bait out into the pond. Our quarry was catfish. My first bite of the day and I immediately knew something was different when the 'fish' took the bait. My line was some ancient linen like material made for big saltwater fish but this day it would be tested. I pulled and the critter on the other end pulled back As hard as I did. At some point in the tug of war my brother got his arms around me and another kid joined in. I was being pulled close to the water.
We could see quite a commotion in the water when we saw the Goliath snapping turtle. My god his body was easily as big as a wheel barrow (brother Bruce would say VW) and that head ... Sweet Moses. Well thankfully it bit through the line. We fell back onto the floor. Later I learned alligator snappers can grow to 220lbs and live to be 100 years old... amazing animals.
I looked out the widow after 7 tonight and there, much to my amazement, was a snapping turtle headed for my front lawn. There is a creek down the lane about a quarter mile away in the direction mini jaws was heading. My son and I gave him a ride in a 5 gal bucket to the creek, he just fit. While he was no giant he was quite strong - we were careful to avoid that mouth.
I remember reading that snappers migrate... This is the second time I've rescued one from the road.
It took me back in time I've got a soft spot for those ugly beasts. Hey Bruce if your listening remember that snapping turtle?
Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum
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