Very interesting thread.
When I was younger, we caught water snakes all the time. Occasionally we would get lucky and get a moccasin (in a minnow trap). They were usually seemingly aggressive, but rarely would strike. On the other hand, all of the copperheads I have run across have been very aggressive and strike repeatedly. Bear in mind, I don't handle them, just move them along out of my way with a long stick.

I was lucky enough to find a rather large copperhead in my driveway tonight. The biggest one I've seen in Georgia. I hope he gets along with the two baby rat snakes I relocated from my job last year. No rodents for me!

Vernon