Wayne SW/MO

Very nice. A trip with Al is one to remember.

I haven't been in a gigging boat since headlights left the scene. I have been very close to boats with these lights, when we we're leaving and they were starting, and I can tell you that in about 4-5 feet of water and 15-20 feet away I could see every rock on the bottom. Yes I'm speculating about how deep they can reach and about hunting cover where other species hide, but I don't see them finding a lot of bass in the open because its not where they are as a norm. I'm in the same camp as Al, and have been for years, that it only takes a few to cause havoc. It was reported, I never did confirm absolutely, that several years ago they hit the Niangua pretty hard and confiscated several boats over game fish being gigged. I don't know who they were, but I do know there were some in the area that had no qualms about gigging game fish and it wasn't any secret. It seem to depend a lot on the rivers and the amount of activity. I've never heard of any trouble on the James, that doesn't mean there hasn't been some, and if true I suspect its because of the heavy traffic. A lot of boats will likely make it too risky, for fear those giggers who don't want the attention will turn on them. That's also a guess, but its also part of my belief that's its a small number of people and they should be that much easier to stop.

I would disagree with that Gary. The reason being that powerful lights allow those giggers who want to target other fish to hunt areas that would normally be off limits. They're able to go into deeper water and work around cover that holds fish other than suckers. I don't know how familiar you are with the equipment, but metal halide lamps powered by gasoline generators rival football field lighting in lumen's. I think someone noted that it made for better identification and I'm sure that's an advantage for the large percentage of honest giggers, but it goes both ways.

I still have no idea what you're talking about. I've seen early season poaching and I don't like it. It generally targets the breeding fish and harms the population. I haven't seen the season opening free for all and never said I did. As far as bass boats versus gigging advancements, its still a mute point because very few of those in the bass boats intend to keep a fish.. If a gigger decides to step outside the law and takes advantage of stadium lights on the water, powered by a generator, it means dead fish, period. As Al said, when it comes to giggers going after other fish it only takes a very few to decimate a population. Smallies are exceptionally vulnerable because of their wintering habits. I have no problem with you questioning my post, I'll either stand by them or apologize, but I won't do either when it comes to undocumented accusations.

This makes no sense to me? What was I screaming in the last thread? Yes, to answer your question, bass fishermen who run up and down the lake in the boats with high tech electronics generally practice catch and release. Of course they do use rods and reels, but doesn't the bulk of spot fishing? Do you consider gigging fishing or hunting?

Its hard to compare a sport this is largely catch and release with one where there's no choice.

Why? that's not even 2 fish per minute?

Don't you just hate that? Its especially aggravating when some kid puts something stupid on and the proceeds to tear you a new one.

They do it the F bridge on Bull creek and in Swan at Shadow Rock park. It can be tricky in Swan at times because the Whites will be there at the same time.

I suspect this has more to do with increasing the problem than anything else. I can't think of any sport were the advantages between hunter and prey has been closed so tight.

Its about as dangerous a round as you can find. No one should ever use a FMJ for varmint hunting. Not only will it not break up, and likely ricochet, but it can do so even after passing through a coyote. Coyotes are tough, and they deserve a quick kill, something only a good varmit bullet in the right place can achieve.

Convoy of Hope is always in the front of relief efforts everywhere. Convoy of Hope

A jet never seemed to be a requirement for gigging. It would certainly help, but they can always float. The bulk of the giggers, or so it seems, run several boats and then meet a group of people at the take out for a fish fry. I doubt that these people want anything but suckers and wouldn't want 20 people watch them clean an illegal fish. This has been the historical scene I'm familiar with. Then there are the single boats that take fish and leave the stream, and I'm always suspicious of them because they don't fit the norm and they have no peer pressure.

Gigging is a form of clandestine hunting and it gets very little attention, normally, even from those that share the resources, much less the outdoor public in general.

The problem is that before it can all work you have to have the personal. Not only the talent, but the right mentality. That's why there's no dynasties. It a great move, but now it has to work as planed.

One would think, I know that's dangerous, given the fact the public had to fork over a lot of money to buy the Inn because of floods, a green space open to the public would be flood damage proof.

Take a look at this knot, you might tie one and see what you think. I like it for lines that are of different diameters. If you burn the end of the flouro and hit it with a drop of super glue its stronger than the lines. Albright

What county are you in?

No its a green loaded with 20/6 Tuff XP. I just "stare" at the point of entry when I pause. I've seen two takes on a jerkbait in cold water and in both instances the fish moved the bait sideways slightly on the take.

The problem with braid, when attaching it to another line, is its diameter and the fact that flouro and braid are slick. The Uni isn't bad, but make sure you do 6 or so wraps. I personally like the Albright, with a touch of glue. You should also be aware that fluorocarbon doesn't have much stretch to avoid shock. This same trait will make braid seem weaker than the equivalent mono at times. Some flourocarbon also seem to be a little more brittle in cold water, at least fly tippet seems so. When using braid and Flouro you probably want to make some adjustments in how agressive you set the line. I always use a fluorocarbon leader with braid, except for top water and jerkbaits. The thing about a leader is that you save your braid which can last years, and when it wears on the end, turn it around.

What strain was the fish?

I remember when the bill was introduced, but I don't think it went anywhere. I'm not a Obama fan, but I don't believe he had anything to do with it. It was some far left congressman if I remember right.

Bass Pro is where I remember people digging to the bottom of the bins looking for the watermelons.

I don't know about everyone else, but I back the star drag off. You can set it according to your line and rod requirements and then use your thumb until its back to where it should be, or you can continue to use your thumb. The reels we used for salmon had a lever that reduced the star drag a certain amount when pulled out. When a fish hit and you picked the rod up you simply threw the lever back in and the drag went to normal. I don't if there are other methods.

Sorry, good argument, but I still think they should be separate .