Removing Crocodiles From My Favorite Fishing Spot

We All Have A Favorite Fishing Spot

Today I would like to reflect on how an innocent looking and beautiful fishing spot can in fact be quite a dangerous place.I live on the banks of the Adelaide River in Northern Territory Australia and you will find me there fishing regularly. Just recently we had to take action by trapping and removing crocodiles that were becoming a little too dangerous for my liking.

Many locals fish here and reported dogs were going missing as well as seeing dead wallabies floating along the banks. So we contacted  the wildlife ranger who decided to set a crocodile trap just to see if the reports were true or not. We assisted him to set the trap and he asked me to check it regularly and call him if any were caught. Now just before I share with you all what came out of our fishing spot, let me share a couple of shots of the area in question which are truly beautiful .

Beautiful Adelaide River

Great Fishing

Adelaide River in Northern Territory Australia

The above shots are of a section of river which is fresh water and approximately 100km from the salt water. While fishing here I have seen people wading and swimming off the beach, no wonder we often hear of crocodile attacks. If only they knew the risks and saw what we caught in the trap.

We then baited the crocodile trap with an off cut of wild pig and floated it along side the bank, attaching a rope from the trap to a nearby tree.

Placing Crocodile Trap

Just 48 Hours Later

I went down to check the trap and bingo, we had a monster. The trap is 5mtrs in total length and the Salt Water Crocodile inside was 4.9 mtrs long. I phoned the ranger and waited for him to arrive, yes I flicked a few surface lures and managed two nice Barramundi while I was waiting.

The next step was to get him out of the trap and loaded onto the trailer for transportation to a crocodile farm just out of Darwin. The ranger used a tranquiliser pistol which slowed down the croc’s movements a little thank god, as he still thrashed and rolled when we pulled him from the trap by a rope on his snout.

Pulling The 4.9mtr Salty From The Trap

Now Ready For Loading Onto Trailer

All Loaded & Ready For Transportation To The Farm

Just Six Days Later
After removing this crocodile the ranger said he would re bait it and leave it there to see if he had any mates. Bingo once again, just six days later I checked it and we had another salt water crocodile. This one only measured 3.9mtrs but still very dangerous and would easily take a human no worries. I called the ranger once more and we repeated the procedure, only this time we had to physically lift and load him onto the back of a utility for transportation.

The Second Crocodile Six Days Later From The Same Fishing Spot

Gut Busting To Finally Get Him Loaded Into The Utility Truck

Never Ever Become Complacent !!!
Although removing crocodiles from my favorite fishing spot was on the day very interesting, it has further enforced upon me just how dangerous Northern Territory waterways are when fishing. I do hope you come to fish in the top end of Australia one day as it has outstanding fishing available to avid fisherman, but please be wary and familiar with your surroundings and above all never ever become complacent or take risks.

Hey life is good

Tight Lines