I have been in that situation. I did the opposite of what these people did I ran and the Alligator chased me, but it was the bass that was bouncing on the ground still connected to my line that the alligator wanted.
I once snagged a small alligator while fishing for LM bass in the everglades.
I lived in florida for 2 years and fished the everglades alot. It can be a scary place.
I have also been scared out of the water while bone fishing the keys by a shark. some times your the pray.