Cairns fisherman escapes saltwater crocodile in north Queensland after annoying it with fishing rod

A man has escaped being dragged into the river by a saltwater crocodile after aggravating it with his fishing rod.

Fisherman Kody Duncan filmed himself approaching the crocodile while at the Wujal Wujal Falls, north of Cairns, in Queensland on Saturday.

Unlike their saltwater relatives, freshwater crocodiles are more commonly known to flee from humans and only attack if their territory is threatened.

However the saltwater crocodile sitting just under the water at Wujal Wujal appeared to be ready for a fight. 

Fisherman Kody Duncan narrowly escaped an angry crocodile in the Wujal Wujal Falls, north of Cairns on Saturday after he provoked it with his fishing pole (pictured)

In the footage, Mr Duncan zoomed in to show the croc lying motionless in the clear water, sarcastically calling it 'a weird looking log'.

He then started splashing the lure on the end of his fishing rod into the water just above the croc's head.

Mr Duncan had barely dipped the lure in the water twice when the crocodile came rushing out of the water to chase Mr Duncan.

He luckily escaped the angry crocodile, ironically, wearing a pair of crocs. 

Mr Duncan posted the footage to TikTok, gaining more than 900,000 likes and almost 5000 comments.

'Sees danger, pokes danger,' one commenter wrote.

'Wearing crocs when getting chased by a croc. What a sight,' a second wrote.

'Why did you think to do that though?' a third questioned.

Mr Duncan replied, saying: 'Honestly I don't know what went through my head.'

Although usually more timid than their saltwater relatives, the freshwater crocodile quickly breached the water (pictured) forcing Mr Duncan to flee, ironically while wear a pair of crocs

The Wujal Wujal Council offers numerous safety tips for visitors entering the area, including advising people to stay away from the water.

'Our common local law recommends that you stay at least five metres away from the edge of rivers, lagoons and water holes at all times,' the council advises.

'Our wildlife, even dangerous species like our crocodiles and snakes, are usually shy of humans and would rather move out of your way, unless you get too close to their territory.'

Mr Duncan's close call comes days after a three-metre saltwater crocodile was spotted near North Stradbroke Island, just outside of Brisbane on Wednesday.

The crocodile was almost 400km away from its usual habitat in central to northern Queensland.