Have ya ever caught a snake in a trap? Water snakes and Cotton mouths should be pretty easy. What about rattle snakes, copper heads etc.

I have caught some cotton mouths in a minnow cage. They were in there eating the minnows.

I caught a water snake with my fishing pole. I was using live shiners and casting up to an old stone wall that was on the edge of the pond. I felt a tug on the line and reeled in a 3 foot water snake. He put up a great fight too! I let him keep the hook and just cut the line! Sorry Mr. snake but your mouth is no place for my hands...LOL