When I was in my mid-teens I spent the summer in Ft. Meyers, Florida about three blocks from the Caloosahatche river. I did a lot of night fishing in a park that was also a hang out for guys looking for love. I made a point of fishing on the sea wall with big Buck knife laying open beside me. I never had any problems.

On a different note, I grew up hearing stories that snakes can't bite underwater. I stopped believing it one day in Louisiana when I saw my cousin catch a big water moccasin while fishing on bottom for catfish.