I have a tiny pond in my backyard that I've only recently started casually fishing. There's a solid population of box turtles that sun themselves all day, plus frequent visits from herons and egrets so I know there's some fish in there. I've gotten bites from a few tiny panfish that I've visually confirmed. Often times at dusk, when the bugs and bats come out, there's a ton of top water action. I've thrown a frog lure before and had some big bites but no hookset. I decided there must be a couple of carp or catfish in there just getting greedy, the area I live in the southeast is just lousy with those fish so it seemed like a sure thing. Made up some bait out of old hotdog buns, fish sauce, and garlic powder. Small circle hook on a bobber, ball of bait, got a bite after only 15 minutes. Turns out all that topwater action was an ill tempered middle aged common snapping turtle who was none too happy that I wouldn't let him keep the bait. Is there any kind of hook or rig that works in these conditions that turtles won't go after? Or does it really come down to understanding the environment and looking for turtle signs and just being proactive about avoiding setting a hook in a Snapper's beak? Picture attached from before he spit the hook out.
Also not opposed to keeping and butchering turtles, but I'd like to do that on my terms when I'm prepared to do it.
Posted by cuck__everlasting
14 Comments
bring em on shore and let them shake it out it sucks but its the easiest way I’ve found after 20 years of fishing
https://preview.redd.it/cilb42ut9vkf1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=cb7aed4f186719e1b09e7afd9c475f1f2bccc046
You got $3.50?
Personally, my strategy is to say here fishy fishy fishy instead of hear turtle turtle turtle.
If you see or catxh turtles it time to move
If it’s not in its mouth I’ll unhook it. If it’s a box or a snapper in the mouth, I’ll clip it and let them go on their way. It sucks but like fish, the hook will come out eventually.
really just avoiding live bait, or anything organic.
Otherwise, it will happen the odd time. A nice pair of long-nosed pliers or forceps definitely help, and it’s another reason why you should use barbless hooks, but sometimes you just have to let them shake it on their own.
Last time I hooked one though I watched him swiping at his face with his arms (hands? Flippers? Feet?) and realized that he’d probably have it out in no time.
Someone said don’t use organic bait, but if that is the best bait for that spot, look out for bubbles, and don’t approach the noses.
The only thing i’ve come cross to limit the amount of turtle hookups is just using artificial. Last time I went to the lake with my nephew we ended up catching multiple turtles. Got to the point where I just swore off using bait like shrimp or worms. Turtles just try their hardest to get hooked, they actively chase your bobber and follow the line to see what you have on your hook. If I notice them looking at the bobber, i’ll just reel in and throw it elsewhere to avoid the trouble.
While I don’t like telling people how to fish, i’d also recommend doing barbless. You’ll miss more hookups, but when the inevitable turtle comes along you’ll at least be able to potentially unhook him. Luckily i’ve always done barbless so I never had to cut off a turtle, but man it is actually my worst nightmare hooking into a turtle maybe seeing its gut hooked or it’s a snapper. I never carry gloves or have super long surgical pliers so I don’t wanna imagine it.
Eat em til ya stop catching em 👹
Pray
Population control
The only sure way is to stop fishing.
Don’t cast in front of them
Box turtles? Box Turtles are land living tortoises really, they would probably drown if left in water too long. You have sliders or painted turtles, water turtles, and that big snapper. Little chance Box Turtles are stealing your bait.
Leave a pizza at the other end of the pond. Turtles love pizza so they’ll all go to the other side and leave your bait alone.