A 71-year-old Florida fisherman has revealed how he survived a near-fatal alligator attack by jabbing the reptile in the eyes after it bit his leg and tried to drag him into the water. James Grayson McMicken was fishing in a canal behind his home in North Fort Myers on July 3 when the attack occurred. He had barely cast his rod before the alligator struck.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
McMicken told local news channel WPEC Florida: 'I started reeling and it jumped out of the water and grabbed me.' He added that only quick thinking prevented him from being pulled in. 'I stuck my thumb in one eye, and I just took that fishing pole and jabbed him in the other eye and jabbed him and jabbed him and jabbed him.' He explained: 'It seemed like forever, but it wasn’t that long. But then, he turned loose.' McMicken said: 'I’ve always heard that if you’ve got no other choice, get them eyes, and that’s what got him off of me.'
Dog Helped Him Get Home
The attack left McMicken with deep bite wounds on his right leg. He relied on his bulldog to get to his feet and stagger home. 'I’d have never made it crawling this far, so I called my dog over. She stood there and let me get up on her back to where I could get stood up,' he said. He was 'exhausted' by the time he reached home and received help from his wife. McMicken was treated with stitches and staples and is now recovering at home awaiting physical therapy. Despite the ordeal, he hopes to return to fishing soon. 'All the nurses on the floor had to come by and go, “Wow, you did what”? I’m going to do everything I can not to die. No gator is going to run me off,' he said.
Recent Fatal Attack in Seminole County
McMicken's attack comes days after a woman was tragically killed by an alligator in Seminole County. Brittany Clark, 31, was hiking with her boyfriend and best friend when she waded into the Econlockhatchee River in Little Big Econ state forest. An alligator bit her arms, tearing off one and severely mauling the other. Her boyfriend Chance Allison fought the 12-foot alligator, but it snatched them into a death roll. Clark's friend Jayden Hernandez called her father before help arrived, but Clark was pronounced dead before reaching hospital. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission called the incident 'incredibly tragic'. Public information officer Chad Weber said factors could include low water levels and the end of mating season making alligators territorial.
Boy Lost Hand in Separate Attack
On the same day, an 11-year-old boy on holiday with his father was bitten on the hand by an alligator while fishing at Nelson Fish Camp in Marion County. The New York Post reported that Brodie Terry lost a hand in the attack.
Alligator Attacks Remain Rare
Despite these incidents, alligator attacks on humans in Florida remain comparatively rare. Florida is home to about 1.3 million alligators across all 67 counties. The FWC has recorded around 500 unprovoked bites since 1948, with only 32 proving fatal as of 2026. However, Weber cautioned: 'Every body of water could have the potential to have an alligator. There is some risk when you swim.'
