Watch: Giant Alligator Chases Florida Man During Tarpon Fishing

A 22-year-old man had the most terrifying moment of his life when he was tarpon fishing at sunrise in a tropical wetland in Florida in the United States. Everything was going well and he even managed to catch a fish. As he started wounding the spool reel, he noticed a gigantic alligator raising its head out of the water and about to approach him. Stunned, he stepped back but the reptile chased him, a video of the incident showed. "Jesus Christ, I got to be careful here," said Tommy Lee as he first saw the alligator. (Video credit: ViralHog)
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[@ishan2853]

Real fear is when you can't see where it is.

[@sanahulmrs129]

That's where cameraman succeed in the film industry

[@amrishamrish8152]

@@ishan2853 😰

[@akshaymore5871]

I would had waited for 2 min and then checked the path.

[@Alteori]

💀💀💀💀💀

[@ronalddino6370]

Got that right

[@joegreen8918]

Ain’t no way in the hell I’m walking thru a path like that in Florida

[@elQuestionare]

hes the person in a movie that makes the most unrealistic decicions. starting with going into that area where in every bush can be an alligator followed by tipping over cause he walked backwards like an absolute tool.

[@shonelywilliams8303]

Skimmed thru a few comments but this sums it up for me...😂

[@fec9496]

😂😂😂😂

[@color_me_]

​@@elQuestionare~ they always tell us don't turn & run, and he couldn't very well go sideways. i think the main problem is he was by himself.

[@tonyt8805]

In the words of Don Henley...... 🎶 "Don't look back , you can never look back" 🎶

[@CyseRev]

Don't ever underestimate them. They are surprisingly fast when running. No joke. He lucky the alligator stop chasing when he tripped. And watch out for those bushes, alligators can sneak up on you.

[@kychen4738]

Alligators are fast, but they lack endurance. They cannot maintain that initial speed for long. The alligator did not stop chasing for no reason.

[@user-yi4ol9ys1d]

@@kychen4738 Alligators do not attack humans very often. He wanted to scare the guy off not worried about if he could catch him. They aren’t crocodiles, which are MUCH more aggressive and very well may have continued chasing him.

[@345power6]

U have to zig zag when u run from an alligator

[@ekeelendu7160]

These animals will attack you when in range so many folks died as it is and will never live to tell you, your statement will set up an idiot that listens 😂

[@meeee214]

You tell no lies I’ve lived on lakes in fl my entire life

[@keithprice1950]

I'm from the UK and I used to think that tropical places were amazing. I now live in Indonesia and I realize that everything here wants to bite, sting, poison, inject venom, live on you, in you, eat you. I miss walking in a forest in England where the most dangerous thing is an angry squirrel.

[@alexs5744]

Or the occasional fox, I read foxes are becoming a nuisance in the UK.

[@manassikdar1]

Europe had large predatory beasts too but they got hunted to extinction a long time ago.

[@rondodson5736]

Did you forget England does have a pit viper snake ?

[@neilvarghese6115]

I got scared the other day waking home from work when I saw a fox rummage through someone’s bins

[@Sandman206]

England used to have werewolves but they are all extinct now ..

[@tomorrow6]

Florida man discovers well made path to edge of swamp. Owner of path discovers Florida man.

[@earthsgard]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍👍👍the owner don't play around... I was thinking it's getting dark and he's that close to the waters edge... I'd say many a person has been eaten this way...I live no where near gators or crocs, not present in my country... the dark got me thinking there he left the area, his best decision they can move pretty quickly them gators.

[@supersonic89]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@maxazzopardi7446]

Florida man meet Florida reptile.

[@delfino8190]

RIGHT! I was looking for this comment. Clear game trail in gator territory and he thought "aye let me just chill here and fish."

[@cloudyns]

Hahahahahah

[@noobaction7720]

Let me get this straight: While fishing in a narrow opening near murky water in the middle of nowhere, he encounters an alligator. His initial response is to step back, exclaiming, "Oh Jesus Christ, gotta be careful here." Despite the potential danger, he falls down while the alligator approaches, only to crawl back slowly before standing up. After regaining his composure, his primary concern is not his safety but the inability to continue fishing while maintaining eye contact with the alligator. He then inexplicably decides to stomp on the floor to scare off the 8-foot alligator, which could have posed a serious threat just moments ago. Instead of retreating, he proceeds to walk towards the alligator, risking further confrontation. When the alligator charges towards him, the man runs to a position where he can't see if the gator is nearby. Nevertheless, he continues walking backward until he spots the turned-away alligator heading towards the water. In a puzzling move, he decides to run after the alligator and watches it enter the murky water, needlessly putting himself at risk once again. Only after these illogical actions does the man finally decide it's time to leave the fishing spot. Ladies and Gentlemen, this individual's actions display a lack of logic and common sense

[@abbassadat2305]

this comment

[@michaelmcmullen5481]

It's not so common to see them when you're fishing salt water here. Fresh water definitely

[@GodlyAtheist]

Just want to say I love this comment.hahaha

[@xplicit408]

@@michaelmcmullen5481 it’s common knowledge to not approach a charging alligator

[@mrjazz2570]

bruh r u in prison💀

[@bentonmarcum8924]

Man: stomps foot "get back" Alligator: "😂" you're joking right.?

[@josephsaeteurn9158]

man: you're on land brooo.. you cant drown me..

[@stinkyham9050]

I totally understand the fear this man would be feeling. In my younger days I would routinely get chased out of bars and clubs by cougars. It was terrifying.

[@ShawnMott]

This comment is massively underrated! 😂😂😂

[@rumpelstiltskin6965]

🤣🤣🤣👍

[@franciscotoscano9924]

Especially when the under garments come off

[@akhildev7558]

Haha

[@jeremygriggs1333]

Lol

[@hustonraney5166]

I would be flipping out thinking they were everywhere 😭

[@FOREXLOGICG605]

😂😂😂

[@kekejackson]

Me too🤣🤣

[@waxxon1789]

they probably are

[@allthingznatural5592]

And they probably are, you see all of those crawling holes around the bamboo roots. He's not smart at all

[@notsure7874]

They are everywhere, and May? Mating season.

[@CornPopWazABadDude]

I always wondered why people in horror movies always fall right away when running from the monster . Now I see it really happens.

[@natnat1975]

😂 That's funny. I guess it is true.

[@elQuestionare]

and he really tipped over... this dude watches to many movies. Just turn around and run like a normal human being. hes the person in a movie that makes the most unrealistic decicions. starting with going into that area where in every bush can be an alligator followed by tipping over cause he walked backwards like an absolute tool.

[@greedyyawgoo5635]

Because lose on concentration.

[@tranquility9325]

Only with white ppl😂😂😂sorry couldn't resist

[@pandapants3535]

Him: "get back" Croc:"no, you get back" Him: 🏃🏃🏃 🐊

[@traceycrawford9938]

That was truly terrifying. When he started walking back towards it, it became like one of those horror movies where I was yelling “Omg what are you doing?? Nooooo! Don’t go back TOWARDS it!!?” Glad you’re ok

[@CornPopWazABadDude]

Right!? Why would anybody go back towards it?

[@tiffanyhollywood2108]

@@CornPopWazABadDude don't understand this at all! whyyyyyy would he go back, why did he run, stop, and then stand there pointing the useless fishing rod in the direction of the alligator as though, it would make a u-turn, in fear of the rod, anddddd why did he also stand there yelling "hey buddy." 🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦 i don't know if what i see with my own eyes is real these days. 🙄 some tech savvy people may be able to do just as much as the people who made the movies "Jaws" and "Jurassic Park." Idunknow what's real and what's not anymore. 🙄

[@CornPopWazABadDude]

@@tiffanyhollywood2108lol, right!? Like this is so stupid it's actually hard to believe it could be real. What the hell is a half inch thick fishing rod going to do to an 8 foot Alligator that a 9mm bullet won't even stop? Guys holding that thing like he had a sword or stun baton or something 😂 I think it is real, but there's deep fake AI that anybody can use on the web now that creates very realistic looking stuff.

[@whiepanda77]

Exactly!

[@GreenCrackTV]

I’m guessing he had to make sure it turned around, I think the wrong thing to do in that situation is lose sight of it

[@anirudhr6052]

The man. The myth. The legend. Florida man

[@Fafnir2000]

Indian man?

[@vikalawa5301]

He is from florida and alligator like this are not found in india

[@bhavukxpandit4598]

Jonny

[@Ggtg34]

@@Fafnir2000 In india we slaughter them 😎

[@Fafnir2000]

@@Ggtg34 what?

[@saucyzone4131]

Dude was mighty slow on the uptake but he finally seemed to understand when an aggressive gator stops chasing you, turns around and walks away, it’s your cue to do the same!

[@whiepanda77]

Except he went back towards the direction of the alligator

[@hifinsword]

You probably won't see the one that gets you! No way I'd be going down a jungle-like area with heavy cover for an alligator to hide in so I could go fishing. That's one fishing hole I'd write off for the rest of my life.

[@willie417]

he found the secret fishing spot and the reason it's a secret, is because the gators get catching the fishermen and dragging them to a watery grave.

[@nickc7494]

“Get back” not sure if the alligator comprehended that

[@pranay3582]

This guy walking forward when he can't see where it is! Bro, seriously what's wrong with the man?

[@shonteemitchell2839]

Thank u.. Thats what i was thinking.

[@cv7seven]

He is the main character in Hollywood movie😂

[@tusharnagar9300]

😅

[@cassieturnbow2208]

😅

[@wazupwolf106]

Florida man fears nothing

[@Shahyee]

What the heck is wrong with him trying to stand him down and then talk to him when he turned around???!!!! First of all do not go fishing in the swamp in dress shoes in FLORIDA.

[@sanahulmrs129]

Well he was on leisure trip

[@earthsgard]

At least he be eaten with some style 🤣🤣🤣

[@Zalmoxesuwu]

It’s Florida.

[@lubui2583]

cute smile....only a certain kind of crazy play with alligators. 😉😉

[@DanielLopez-ux1io]

@@lubui2583 you have no game

[@brucelee5576]

I don’t think he realizes that convenient walking path he use to walk to the water was made by an alligator.

[@kylestoughon1617]

Absolutely right! Lol he was on his territory, he was saying get off my land 😂

[@Delta547]

0:58 Human: * stomps the ground * - Get back. Alligator: "No, I don't think I will"

[@rahulbarca4112]

"Well Imma out here, screw that" - Florida Man.

[@maxazzopardi7446]

I think the real winners here are the tarpons he was fishing for, or wait the gator got them

[@stanleymarsh2600]

Screw you guys, I m going home

[@theSilentPsycho]

Lol. Imagine in the end, he says "Screw that" and turns to go back only to find another croc staring at him

[@griffj8546]

Clever girl!

[@shonelywilliams8303]

Watched little more than half, then skimmed thru comments...this by far was the best😂🤣

[@HarryJSteele]

He was a death roll away from never going home.

[@killadjango6995]

💯💯🎯🗣

[@Mark_106]

Alligator was like "hey...this is my spot, Don't Come Back if you know what's good for ya"!!

[@escii4073]

Funny thing is the alligator 🐊 can figure out a way to sneak into the shrubs and figure out another way to sneak on the Florida man!

[@gregoryhousch725]

I Thought The Same!

[@Steveestates]

Exactly

[@xthexskrillex]

it can sneak into bath tubs

[@uglyindian4401]

0:59 Guy: Get Back! Gator: Sure...

[@youngjock501]

He’s a lot calmer than I would have been!

[@Lolybelle009]

Just when he said ''Get back" and the gator responded by charging him again is perfect. Also, goes to show ya that they aren't as slow as they look on land and can manage short bursts of speed.

[@arjunbhaumik7093]

This is called reverse fishing from water to land... 😜🤗😈

[@dolcevitaslots]

👍😂😂😂

[@indianfreethinker9980]

Underrated comment 😂😂

[@ayushabraham7782]

In alligator tube: *Weird Florida Hooman escaped from being a snack.*

[@lingesh2773]

Why would a wild alligators call a human as hooman?

[@ayushabraham7782]

@@lingesh2773 that's how animals call humans..

[@seriously6644]

@@ayushabraham7782 in the memes

[@incognitojones9609]

😂😂😭🤣

[@pawanghule1584]

@@lingesh2773 bruh..i died laughing🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂

[@sunnyv5718]

The prophesy is fulfilled: “See you later, alligator.”

[@alisonleigh100]

😂

[@prasurjyasaikia2785]

This video is more terrifying than most of the horror movies in Hollywood nowadays

[@hughwynn6193]

I am from Florida. That gator was protecting his territory

[@daveboemio282]

People who don’t live around them don’t know and make ridiculous emotionally based comments

[@shanu3009]

"well that puts an end to my tarpon fishing" Dude r u n

[@leert2698]

For most of us, that was a “ feet don’t fail me now “ moment !

[@RuleNo2NoNames]

That breathing shows what he was actually encountering. Count your blessings. Glad no harm was done.

[@CornPopWazABadDude]

I mean, the video shows that pretty well too but I guess if a blind person was watching this, they could go by that 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@kanagawamitsuda5913]

He is telling the man to stay out of his pond and dare not to touch his food 😅

[@stinkyham9050]

Definitely looked more like a territorial dispute more then the gator trying to eat him.

[@jayaratnam599]

And also saying hey buddy'

[@WildBillHickums]

​​@@stinkyham9050Most definitely, the way the alligator made no attempt at sneaking, he just charged at full speed up to the shore and chased at full speed.

[@gforceforever]

Not the brightest fisherman, for sure. He had no protection from the real threat that exists in Florida waterways. Once he saw that gator coming in hot, he should have cut the line and booked out of there. He still could have encountered other gators along that path, but getting away from the one that was approching should have been top priority.

[@michaelhlong3765]

Love how the guy tiptoes towards the gator as he slinks back into the water all brave like he's daring it

[@SharriffRahman6b6b]

Such an American thing to say "Hey buddy" to a fucking monster

[@nishant7334]

Why did the man kept checking back and even going back to the same place ? Unless I had left something precious back there noway I was going back to check. I would have run and run and never look back..!

[@godwilling6264]

Maybe because it's Florida and they encounter these 'dudes' like we encounter cats.

[@Kbutcanufightho]

I should prob have a gun if I’m going to live at a place like this

[@jc-zp1de]

Maybe in cali but these Florida's are crazy im telling you

[@elizabethmarielle2231]

Because the man is ... special 🥴

[@shanesmith6992]

When he fell I thought it was over for the camera man 😂 glad he was able to come through safely and upload 😂

[@HarborEdwin]

Gator was simply saying, "These my fish...unless of course you want to replace them!"

[@ariegoldman8669]

Why in the hell would u walk back towards the gator?

[@MrManquel]

That was a real life close encounter, his awareness and instincts protect him.

[@TheLegacy87]

God protected him

[@CornPopWazABadDude]

Yeah, tripping and falling the second the thing started running then going back towards it like an absolute moron is really what "protect him" 🤦🏼‍♂️. Guys lucky that thing actually wasn't hungry.

[@TheLegacy87]

@@CornPopWazABadDude luck has nothing to do with it, it was God

[@neanderthalslayer]

@@CornPopWazABadDude it was definitely hungry

[@Bitchslapper316]

@@CornPopWazABadDude I don't think he fell, it looked like he dropped the camera.

[@therevolutionwillnotbeyoutubed]

This is like in slasher flicks when the next victim goes back into the house to see if the killer is really dead.

[@Alstanus]

Alright, so apparently, tripping when something murderous is chasing you is not just a horror movie trope.

[@shonelywilliams8303]

🏆 🏅..."Best Comment Award" 😂🤣

[@Alstanus]

@@shonelywilliams8303 lol! Thank you, thank you. *bows*

[@oleskool61]

One of the most exciting things I've ever scene was in 2009, I was in Florida for a military course, my classmate and I was just driving along the highway and this 12 to 15 feet Gator was just sitting along the side of the road, just chilling. Like he didn't have a care in the world. He was huge.

[@tropicalbluevibes7674]

I might have seen that exact gator back in 2017.

[@rondodson5736]

I did a sf training mission at Eglin. Went in October expecting warm temperatures in Florida. Was sleeping in a tent in the swamp for two weeks and set a new record cold of 29 degrees. Good thing was the snakes and alligators went into hibernation mode for the whole time. Bad news is everyone on mission caught the crabs, and i don't mean the kind you eat.

[@maskcollector6949]

@@rondodson5736 Sounds like a SERE outing.

[@Brajeshkumar-sj8dx]

Imagine if he get anxiety attack and fell down there. 🥺😥😥

[@UserName-tv1sy]

That’d be awesome

[@breadoflifefaiupu8992]

Do Indian people really wipe with their bare hands?

[@Scrubject16]

@@UserName-tv1sy fuckin darwinism baybeee

[@ultramanCL]

@@UserName-tv1sy if it is caught on video obviously

[@roems6396]

I thought he did fall down when the camera pointed down into his shirt.

[@Magna_x1]

Says “Get back” like it’s gonna reply “alright sure” 😂

[@JFTL81]

That was genuinely frightening…😳

[@jevasamy]

As expected from Florida man

[@highflyerl23]

I capsized a boat in Florida and ended up swimming to shore a few feet away from a few baby alligators. I got outta there before mom came back.

[@nedelcucosmin3087]

man: hey buddy gator: leave me alone Jerry

[@shibsankarlaha9153]

Everybody: run run run Fisher : let's play baby

[@AaryanUpadhyayaWho]

The alligator was brave enough to do that

[@joan8178]

I used to live along a SC golf course. An elder tourist(yellow shorts & socks to his knees!) came to fish on the marsh bank. I tried to warn him off but he blew me off. When I saw the marsh grass swaying I started yelling at him. A big gator lunged up the bank at him. Thank God he could still run. Dangerous but hilarious!!

[@Trouble-Clef]

That’s one grumpy looking alligator! Those eyes looked pissed off! And maybe it’s just me but that “trail” looks more like an alligator highway. I would not want to be in there either!

[@nakulsri242]

Happy to see a man who gauged the gravity of the situation. Not like in Hollywood movies were they gravitate towards danger.

[@silverecho1201]

I'm pretty sure most people would run if a gator was chasing them. Tbh I probably wouldn't even look back until I was at my vehicle just in case

[@king.b525]

Honestly if this was some Hollywood movie the guy would've jumped back in the water😑

[@phyllishundredfarts1345]

He didn’t, he started stamping like an idiot

[@Scrubject16]

That was sarcasm right

[@rondodson5736]

Oh but we have those who do. One guy a few months ago was gathering frisbies in the lake and was warned repeatedly that the gators are more aggressive in mating season. He didn't heed the warnings and a gator killed him.

[@joejuarez9523]

Why does the dumb guy go back, and tries to "hey buddy" the alligator?

[@deanadefino4894]

Because he’s Florida Man

[@itsanimechanmichaelsimp]

A tip : NEVER EVER TURN YOUR BACK ON THEM keep your eyes on them or it and don't run unless hes/they are running and i tell you that it/they run faster than you would imagine

[@seankenneth8622]

My favourite part is when after the gator started to head back to the swamp, the camera guy followed him too 🫣😓 It’s like the dude forgot why he ran away from it in the first place 😅

[@user-vi3pi9rf7w]

I'm surprised Florida man didn't chase it away

[@AmitKumar-th9sx]

O my God..How could he be ur buddy 😂

[@robsimpson6537]

Instead of saying “see you later “ man says “hey buddy “. Alligator was so disappointed.

[@johanrynjah8241]

When you venture into the everglades you have to have eyes in the back of your head and eyes between your ears too . . .. else. .you'll end up as a snack to the monsters there. ..

[@VichitraChitta01]

That's the look of a guy annoyed by a food stealing intruder in his home. Jokes apart.. glad you're ok

[@konfyd110]

I was kinda expecting the gator to jump him when he was going back without seeing where it was.

[@ITigerbaum]

"Alligators can reach speeds of 35mph on land."

[@marcj3757]

This guy is crazy!

[@mchapman132]

He must have been insane to be fishing in that area, it looked like a gator breeding ground.

[@notsure7874]

It is, and it was breeding season.

[@edwinramos4910]

😆 It's Florida....the entire state is an alligator breeding ground.

[@mchapman132]

@@edwinramos4910 - Close to it. Lol

[@johnashiru3952]

Florida man: Get back Alligator: Nah you get back bruv

[@vincegreene6851]

Can't believe he went back 🤦🏾

[@WifeyMamaGrandma]

He obviously doesn’t know how fast gators are on land!!!!

[@manjeet2698]

Pov: The Croc was fishing humans

[@artlife6210]

hes got nowhere to go but straight and thats a gators strength, straight line acceleration

[@kimberlywelch7862]

People: “Humans are the top of the food chain.” Gator: “Hold my beer.”

[@carpediem1126]

You gotta be a special kind of crazy to fish in a lake like this in Florida.

[@shonelywilliams8303]

🏅..."Best Comment Award".....😂😭🤣

[@smudgey1kenobey]

Water slides like that are a sign of alligator activity here in Florida. Kayakers often mistake them for put-ins or take-out spots for boats. Bad spot for kayaks or fishermen. It’s different when you live in a place where you’re not the top predator! Your awareness saved you this time. Scary video!

[@robertgreen9980]

I like he says "I'm outta here, screw that", after the gator went back n the water, after following the thing!

[@myrrhsee1]

This dude is clearly a native Floridian for even staying that long

[@mattt5006]

I find the best way to survive an alligator attack is if you yourself are also an alligator.

[@pranav_11.]

Gator was like stay out of my pond those fishes are mine

[@puredeath8883]

Him: *Stomp* "Get back!" Alligator: No, you get back!

[@savatvalentine50]

Did he really just trip like every horror movie…..

[@the_squirrel8677]

i was like... "oh as expected O.o"

[@troykahai763]

Well that puts an end to my tarpon fishing. 🤣

[@AppleCases123]

The way it stared him down at 0:42 was badass.

[@Texas_ice]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@aaronpresta6192]

Gator said hey this is my fishing spot, no you back off.🤣🤣🤣

[@backyardbbq4280]

This is how people disappear and never heard from again 😮

[@chetantiwari3764]

Alligator just wanted to say hii😂😂

[@PaulDA2000]

I have no sympathy for people that put themselves in places like this where it’s dangerous. If he wasn’t there in the first place the alligator wouldn’t have chased him. And he knows that they are around there.

[@rondodson5736]

Hard to find a place in Florida that the alligators are not around. I think they estimate there are 2 million living in Florida. I think a lot of them are now elected officials and serving in the capital.

[@killadjango6995]

💯💯💯🎯🗣

[@DrPlagueReborn]

And the only reason he got there is because he walked through an alligator path

[@JohnDoe-zz3hj]

never fight a alligator with fishing pole

[@javier77street]

Alligator was like the dead dude in Ghost. “Get off my train!!” 😂

[@jeffhrycuna3349]

This is the reason I always carry a side arm while doing outdoor activities

[@kevinrichardson8859]

Facts

[@marcbahrij883]

I'm not from Florida but this is a good reason to go fishing with someone who is slower than you and can act as a distraction.

[@dekutrash6214]

I’ve never yelled at my phone so much

[@kuvasz93]

Am I the only one that found themselves yelling “Get up! Get up!!” at the screen when he fell?

[@RuleNo2NoNames]

Fisherman/ Cameraman after this incident would be chanting prayers every day. He is now in his second life.

[@armadilloburns4880]

I miss the outdoors !

[@fukun5773]

So creepy seeing a croc chase someone out of the water