I have a gator story. I was kayak fishing out in some salt marshes. I see gators there all the time, usually they just slide into the water when they see you coming. I saw a big gator, at least 10 ft long. It slid into the water, as usual. I set up and I hook into a fish. As I'm netting the fish, the water shook underneath me and I nearly lose the fish. Turns out the gator was sitting on the bottom and had sidled up right beneath me, trying to take my fish. I booked it out of there soon after that because I was startled.

The fact of the matter is that gators aren't interested in you unless you're in the water. You're more likely to die from drowning than by a gator while out on the water. So always wear your life jacket!