Need Help On Gigging Issue...

[Trout Commander]

I believe that gigging is banned in the various Blue Ribbon Trout Management Areas. Some of them wouldn't float a boat but others are giggable stretches.

NFOW comes to mind...

[Guest]

deleted

[Wayne SW/MO]

I have seen quite a few gigged bass on the niangua, especially at the hole at NRO (Niangua river oasis).

Who would have thought???

They sport originated with low light sources, so there is no reason to allow the lights that they do. For the uninformed, , most giggers today are running generators on their boats to power metal halide lights, the kind that light up parking lots. The old time giggers could only gig in shallow water where they saw primarily suckers only. As far as better light making identification easier, it doesn't take much light to tell the difference between a smallie, which is about the only illegal fish they will see, and a sucker.

[405z06]

pisses me off seeing those pics

[Mitch f]

pisses me off seeing those pics

As someone else said, the fish in the pictures were the lucky ones. When Kathy Etling came out with the article a couple of years ago, it seemed to die quickly. This time I'm beginning to feel we have enough pissed off people to actually accomplish something. As many have said, gigging will never be outlawed...I'm going out on a limb and say we should try to completely outlaw gigging. It may be an uphill battle but I think it's an idea that has reached it's time.

[drew03cmc]

Gigging needs to not be outlawed, but regulated a bit more, with enforcement during prime gigging hours. If they cannot get the current agents to patrol these waters after dark, during gigging season, they should hire some new agents that can and will patrol these waters after dark to put a stop to this. I am all for minimizing the amount of light they can use, as well as further restricting the waters available. Get them off of all special management areas, be they white, red or blue ribbon trout areas or SMAs, get the giggers off of those waters. Hand out massive fines to outfitters who allow giggers to launch in these areas during gigging season to put a stop to that practice.

[Greasy B]

My best Brown out if Naingua last year had gig scars. I've seen so many bass and trout with gig marks over the years it never occurred to me to take pictures, I didn't think anybody gave a #hit. Rest assured I'll start, maybe if enough of did it someone will listen.

[RSBreth]

I've talked to my county's agent about this plenty of times - I'm sure they know about it but just don't have the manpower or don't think it impacts enough people to be an issue - but it is.

I don't think gigging should be outlawed - they need to actually enforce the laws as they are - which they aren't, obviously.

[fishinwrench]

I've talked to my county's agent about this plenty of times - I'm sure they know about it but just don't have the manpower or don't think it impacts enough people to be an issue - but it is.

I don't think gigging should be outlawed - they need to actually enforce the laws as they are - which they aren't, obviously.

I don't think that's it. They go balls to the wall, working undercover ect. after victimless crimes every day and it nets the state Zippidy-do-da.

Hell if they'd catch some giggers they could seize boats, trucks, generators, PROPERTY.....all kinds of goodies. I'd think it would be well worth a few nights out on the river.

Put a worthwhile bounty on 'em and I bet myself and a few cohorts could rack up some revenue in a big way.

[Mitch f]

I don't think that's it. They go balls to the wall, working undercover ect. after victimless crimes every day and it nets the state Zippidy-do-da.

Hell if they'd catch some giggers they could seize boats, trucks, generators, PROPERTY.....all kinds of goodies. I'd think it would be well worth a few nights out on the river.

Put a worthwhile bounty on 'em and I bet myself and a few cohorts could rack up some revenue in a big way.

Now yer talkin