Tag: rattlesnake

Bass Fishing with Rattlesnake for Bait?

Bass fishing using a rattlesnake for bait 

Being a fisherman, I will try just about anything to catch a big largemouth bass. Well, almost anything. I don’t think I would ever use a rattlesnake as bait, but that is exactly what Texas angler did. I got the “rattlesnake bass” story in an email. The fellow that wrote the story apparently owns or works for River Run Guide Service, but I was unable to find a Web Site for the fishing guide on the net. Anyway, if you enjoy a good fishing story, you should enjoy this one.

“Greetings to everyone from River Run Guide Service.In 20 years of fishing the Middle/Upper Brazos River, I can honestly say that I have never encountered a venomous snake (pit viper) within the riverbed. However, as I tell my clients, go outside the riverbed and that can be a very different story. Obviously, just because I have never come accross a venomous snake in the river, does not in any way mean they are not there. In fact, I always remain vigilant and on the lookout knowing that I’m simply overdue for my first encounter. The way I look at it, Texas, venomous snakes and the outdoors will always go hand in hand.

So, I wasn’t too suprised when I observed a juvenile rattlesnake headed across the river while I was in my kayak flipping a jig for bass. I continue fishing. However, I can’t help to notice the rattler has changed it’s course and is headed straight for my kayak. At this point, I’ve pretty much quit fishing and have my attention focused on the intentions of this potentially pesky pit viper. Continue reading Bass Fishing with Rattlesnake for Bait?

Rattlesnake Breeding and Behavior

Rattlesnake on the move

Rattlesnakes, like all snakes, are fascinating animals. This is probably because they are rarely seen by most people and they are perceived as scary. Yes, a rattlesnake is venomous and can kill you. However, the chances of you being bitten by one are low, very low. With that out of the way, today’s article discusses the breeding behavior of rattlesnakes.

Adult, female rattlesnakes become receptive to male advances only in years when they have stored enough body fat to bear a litter. In short, a rattlesnake may not breed every year. Because individual body condition is important, depending on hunting conditions only a small percentage of females may be available for breeding on an annual basis.

The rattlesnake mating season takes place in late summer. Females hold sperm in their reproductive tract during winter estivation (similar to hibernation) and fertilize their eggs at the beginning of the following spring. During pregnancy, female rattlesnakes will not eat, and this is even after an entire winter without feeding! They will not eat all summer.

Instead, females will stay at exposed to the sun in south-facing areas adjacent their winter den. Females rely only on their fat reserves to support the growth and development of their embryos throughout the summer months. This is why female rattlesnakes must be in excellent condition prior to breeding.

In a good year, the females will give birth to live young in late very late summer. A baby rattlesnake is venomous from birth, but it is incapable of defending itself from predators. Birds, raccoons, coyotes, and other snakes will quickly consume fresh-born rattlesnakes. Even fish, including largemouth bass, will eat snakes if the young are near water.

The just-born rattlers must be protected by their mother. Young rattlesnakes will have to spend the first week of life basking in the open until they shed their natal skin and can move on their own to safer ground. During that natal basking period, the mothers stay near their young, defending them from potential predators.

From this point, it will take the baby rattlesnakes anywhere from six to ten years to reach maturity. Once mature, females will only mate every three to six years. As you can see, rattlesnake populations can be closely tied to environmental conditions. Thier low rate of reproduction makes them highly susceptible poor habitat conditions or over-harvest.