eric1978 Posted October 1, 2009 Posted October 1, 2009 I dunno.... Obamanomics? Religion? Catch & release? Oh boy...I agree with FishinCricket...let's go with C&R. I like you guys too much to get into politics and God. Or should I say, I want you guys to like me, for I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority on those two issues on this site. And I'll leave it at that. Release fish good. Keep fish bad.
ozark trout fisher Posted October 1, 2009 Posted October 1, 2009 Oh boy...I agree with FishinCricket...let's go with C&R. I like you guys too much to get into politics and God. Or should I say, I want you guys to like me, for I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority on those two issues on this site. And I'll leave it at that. Release fish good. Keep fish bad. How 'bout as others have said we just have a nice round of kumbaya.... Or we could argue catch and release, whichever ya'll think . One thing's for sure, I absolutely have nothing more to say about Kentuckies. Now my position on the healthcare debate is............................................................
Wayne SW/MO Posted October 2, 2009 Posted October 2, 2009 Wayne, I'm not sure if you read this post ( below ) I made on another thread earlier in the month. I'm not going to divulge the stream I was writing about either, but the term "Smallmouth Galore" is not an incorrect statement. And although I don't see any sign of gigging in our area I do agree that it would probably be the most devastating to big brownies. Buzz I've fished some of those streams, and if you're talking sheer numbers I might agree, but quality is another thing. As far as gigging goes, I know of a couple of places where you can go from catching some reasonable Smallies to none in a days time, after the gigging season opens. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
smallmouthjoe Posted October 2, 2009 Posted October 2, 2009 What is the actual process of gigging? I thought it was more sight orientated, not just throwing a hook out there and dragging it around until you hook a fish.
FishinCricket Posted October 2, 2009 Posted October 2, 2009 What is the actual process of gigging? I thought it was more sight orientated, not just throwing a hook out there and dragging it around until you hook a fish. What you are referring to is snagging, which is wholely different and not legal during gigging season... Gigging is done out of a boat with a long pole with a fork on the end... It's amazing how much you can see under those lights mounted on the front, it's definitely a sight oriented sport. It definitely possible to gig game fish, conservation actually puts signs up reminding giggers of how to identify a game fish vs a sucker. It's important to note that usually giggers cook and eat the fish right on the bank, and between that fact and the fact that the agents would have to ambush them during this process (usually done at night when the gigging takes place), there isn't a whole lot that can be done to keep giggers from illegally taking game fish. Gigging a gamefish is certainly not legal or advised, but it is definitely possible... cricket.c21.com
Wayne SW/MO Posted October 2, 2009 Posted October 2, 2009 What is the actual process of gigging? I thought it was more sight orientated, not just throwing a hook out there and dragging it around until you hook a fish. Gigging is sight orientated, but today's giggers do it under bright halogen lights powered by generators. I think that's much of the problem, there are simply too many targets for some to resist. The old timers used pine knot fires and then graduated to kerosene and then gas lanterns. Today's change is tantamount to going from a standard bow to a crossbow. The target hasn't changed, but the methods have. I'm not saying all giggers are this way, but I've known some who brag about sticking some nice game fish. The suckers have suffered also, how often do you see a 5# Redhorse these days. There are those who do throw hooks, its called grabbing. Grabbing is done with a single hook on a flat frame to hold the hookpoint upright. The old homemade grabbers were hooks soldered to a bottle opener. FishinCricket your river gets hit about as hard as any, especially on the lower access. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
FishinCricket Posted October 2, 2009 Posted October 2, 2009 FishinCricket your river gets hit about as hard as any, especially on the lower access. boy do I ever concur with that statement! Never heard of "grabbing" as you describe it.. Is there a seperate season or is it legal to do during gigging season? cricket.c21.com
Wayne SW/MO Posted October 2, 2009 Posted October 2, 2009 Never heard of "grabbing" as you describe it.. Is there a seperate season or is it legal to do during gigging season? Grabbing is older then me, and that's old. Not sure, but I believe they run together. I see a lot of it in the spring in my area. The only time I've seen it expanded beyond Suckers is the occasional White Bass grabber, which is illegal. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
Buzz Posted October 4, 2009 Posted October 4, 2009 Buzz I've fished some of those streams, and if you're talking sheer numbers I might agree, but quality is another thing. As far as gigging goes, I know of a couple of places where you can go from catching some reasonable Smallies to none in a days time, after the gigging season opens. Wayne, I have no doubt that you have fished some of the streams in our area, and I agree that we may not have as many 18"+ brownies as some of the other streams ( I have no doubt they are in there though ), but we do catch our share of 15"+ fish. ( I'm still looking for that big fish hook-up though. ) Right now, I'll settle for a day of catching keeper size to 15" brownies in areas that are not on the trophy hit list. As far as giggers go, I haven't seen any sign of this on the streams I am commenting on. Maybe the Elk and it's tribs where the water is accommodating to the rigs that those guys use. I really don't know. Most of the waters we fish are barely float able by canoe, which, I would think would hinder that type of fishing. I am also not a fan of the giggers who have no regard for the smallmouth and largemouth that they often stick. Thanks for getting back to me. If fishing was easy it would be called catching.
Wayne SW/MO Posted October 4, 2009 Posted October 4, 2009 I'm sure I've fished one stream in particular that you're thinking of. Its a dandy, but it is too small in my opinion to consider in a discussion on a public board about Smallie fishing. You also right I believe that its too small to make gigging from a boat realistic. I suppose some could day its apples and oranges, but if its not big enough to mention then its really to well protected be considered an example in my opinion. I haven't been on the Elk at a time when I could make a statement about gigging and Smallie populations. I have been on the Niangua and parts of the Gasconade when I feel I can. Of all the widely fished rivers in this part of the state the James seems to have one of the best populations of Smallies that can provide some size. I think it is primarily a catch and release fishery though. It also has an outstanding Smallmouth lake attached, if that makes a difference? Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
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