I can tell you're a rigger Cory, most folks would've never noticed. They're both bulls between five and six hundred pounds. The females normally don't get over about eight or nine feet. I've never heard it called "fishy" before Al. The big ones have some dark meat that is pretty strong but we trim all that off and it's fine.
Hey V, those hides were sold to a processor but we have had some folks do some interesting things with them. One lady we guided had a seat cover made for her Harley and it was WAY cool! Man I love that vest. That's off the gator's back and the "scutes" (each of those ridges you see sticking up) are actually made of square, flat pieces of bone that are nearly impenetrable. Here in Florida we must take the gator with a handheld harpoon, bow or crossbow with a fish arrow or a snatch hook. Most attempts at sticking one in the back result in a bent point and an educated gator. We can't set hooks with bait like you see on the TV shows. This is all up close and personal. Pretty wild and exciting sometimes too.
I've only had it a couple times when I was in Florida .It could have been simpley the fact it might not have been quite as fresh as it should .
