An experienced fisherman in Australia’s Northern Territory has described a terrifying face-to-face encounter with a large saltwater crocodile that climbed onto his boat at Mary River Bridge Lagoon! Damaging the vessel before he drove it off with one of the only tools he had at the time!
The man, who has asked to remain anonymous, has more than 50 years of fishing experience and has fished the Mary River area for about 30 years. He was alone on his 4.7-metre boat near Second Cliffs around 5pm when it happened. After catching a fish, he bent down toward a portable cooler. When he turned around, a large crocodile’s head was directly in front of him.
The crocodile had approached so stealthily that the fisherman did not notice the boat shift under the animal’s weight. Its claws gripped the gunwale, its head sat at the height of his torso, and its mouth was less than 10 centimetres from him. He estimated the head to be 50–60 centimetres wide.
He struck the crocodile on the head with the butt of his fishing rod, and it retreated. His boat was damaged, but he was uninjured, though shaken.
“If I didn’t have that rod in my hand, I don’t think I’d be here today,” he told the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory (AFANT).
The incident was reported to NT Parks and Wildlife. Rangers visited the site, posted a temporary warning sign at the boat ramp, and spent several hours searching for the animal without success. Officials noted a high concentration of crocodiles in the area and said they would continue managing the situation.
AFANT has highlighted the encounter as a stark reminder of how quickly and quietly crocodiles can appear, even to cautious and experienced people who follow safety rules. Crocodile researcher Grahame Webb noted that the animals are moving more in the current hot weather as breeding season approaches. Some are being displaced, others are more territorial, and they are burning energy and seeking food making this a time for extra vigilance in Territory waters.
Parks and Wildlife advice for anyone on the water includes staying well back from the edge, being aware of all possible approach angles, avoiding “swimming” a fish before release (spear it back into the water instead), and remaining alert when netting or landing fish.
The Mary River system is a popular fishing destination, and activity has been higher recently with events such as the Million Dollar Fish competition underway. The fisherman shared his account through AFANT specifically to urge others to stay alert.
Remember any body of water in the Top End may contain large and potentially dangerous crocodiles.
Be crocwise!
