Gigging / Asian Carp

[strangercreek]

Is this legal in Missouri? I have been fishing Bean Lake and even though there are monster common carp in the shallows, the asian carp are everywhere. I am curious about eating one after reading about it and people saying the meat is actually really good, not to mention I want to kill some of them (not that I could make a dent). I was out last thursday and saw thousands of them.

[Bill B.]

I think it's legal from sunup to sundown in "impounded waters."

[strangercreek]

I think it's legal from sunup to sundown in "impounded waters."

I have reading on it and that is the same idea I get but I want to make sure. I don't really want to buy a bow as I don't think I would get much use out of it but I can get close enough to spear them for sure (floating on my basshunter in a bout 2 ft of water, sitting and waiting, they come really close). It is a shame to see so many, since they don't belong there. You can just see them swimming through the water with their mouths open "filtering".

I also thought this was an interesting read:

http://bayoulog.com/2011/03/10/turning-a-problem-fish-into-a-nutritious-dish-for-haitians-in-need/

[Tim Smith]

I have reading on it and that is the same idea I get but I want to make sure. I don't really want to buy a bow as I don't think I would get much use out of it but I can get close enough to spear them for sure (floating on my basshunter in a bout 2 ft of water, sitting and waiting, they come really close). It is a shame to see so many, since they don't belong there. You can just see them swimming through the water with their mouths open "filtering".

I also thought this was an interesting read:

http://bayoulog.com/2011/03/10/turning-a-problem-fish-into-a-nutritious-dish-for-haitians-in-need/

Man, if there was ever a meat fish made for gigging it's the Asian Carp in North America. I don't know the regs on them but if there's even a whisper of a law to protect them it needs to go away yesterday.

Get all the giggers off the native paddlefish and suckers and on the silver and big head carp. Take 'em all if you can.

Yes, they're great to eat. Yes, they're huge. Clean 'em out.

[Outside Bend]

If you do it, make sure to bring a video camera, a helmet, and a protective cup. When stressed, bigheads and silvers release a chemical in the water which causes all the fish to begin jumping frantically.

I want to see what happens when you miss one with a gig

[Kayser]

I think that's just the silver carp- I haven't seen bigheads jump. But yes, they are easy to gig (just not the head), and yes, they are tasty. Get a big enough one, and you can fillet the y-bones out of the fillet very easily. Gig a bunch, and then you'll have enough to practice on. And, as with any other fish- cleaner water = better taste.

Rob