I hear ya on that. was fishing on a creek one time tearin up some 3-5lb bass and good sized panfish. had the stringer on me just like you said except I was standing at waters edge. reeled in a brim and pulled the hook out reached down to get stringer and damn near grabbed me a cotton mouth. He was between my legs fangs dug into a brim. I did the oh **** snake dance and went to high steppin. and guess what that stringer that the fish was hooked to was also hooked to my belt loop. So after I high step back about 6 feet and then realize oh crap the snake is on me still cause he was attached to the fish. the snake turned loose and I went to leave and he decided that was his fish and came after me. I got away and threw the fish back at the snake. Figured if he was that damned determined I would catch me another and let him have his.
I am sure I would have gave someone a heck of a laugh if they would have seen it.
I could see that. Running away saying here you can have it.