Originally posted by DarkFaceGlow:

Go out at night, and don’t use your sail, go slowwww. Pray for a storm. That’s really all you can do.

Exactly. DarkFaceGlow nailed it.

1. Use the slowest speed
2. Night time is best.
3. Stormy and windy ... get ready

4. I only use the harpoon if conditions are favorable - viable wind, and relative safety to land the Serpent.
Never harpoon and drag it into a fresh plains or swamp. You will likely get swarmed, lose the serpent and die. Lol