Need Help On Gigging Issue...

[Al Agnew]

Seems strange to me that although I take pictures of almost everything outdoors, I've never taken any pics of gigged bass or trout. But then, I didn't take picture of the bad car accident I came across last year either. Same kind of reasons: difficult enough to even look at. But I will add to Al's gigged bass files from now on. I too think the time has come to do something about this.

That's what we need. I'd like to ask everybody to take pictures of every gigged bass they catch from now on, with your cell phone if nothing else. I'm like you, I didn't take pictures a lot of times in the past because it was such an ugly thing. But I think it's important to document this problem as graphically as possible.

[Gavin]

The expanded the Blue Ribbon on the North Fork of the White several years ago and closed the stretch between Blair & Patrick Bridge to gigging...Might be able to turn up some before and after data if they sample that stretch regularly.

[oneshot]

I'll throw out a few possibilities... Bird of prey hitting it with talons, Maybe Turtle, Maybe bacterial or even trolling motor... To many possibles, I still lean toward a gig but other things are possible in the eyes of some.

Got to agree see alot of Eagles along the rivers anymore.

If it is giggers at least they put them back.

oneshot

[fishinwrench]

Got to agree see alot of Eagles along the rivers anymore.

If it is giggers at least they put them back.

oneshot

AT LEAST? No. If you're gonna kill or maim something you should AT LEAST eat it !

[Smalliebigs]

Al, I have some giged smallie pics for you from the last two times out on the Meramec.........it's a disgrace!!! email me so I can send these to you. scottd@iiistl.com

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I have not seen any fish that have gig marks, haven't been on the river in quite a while. I am of the belief that it "could" be something other than giggers/poachers, maybe eagles, motor props ect. That being said, why is it that only one species of fish seems to be affected? All fish could be hit by a prop, could be bit by turtles, grabbed by eagle's talons. I realize that most who are reporting are seeking smallmouth above all else, but no one is reporting seeing it on sunfish, trout, or catfish. By seeing some of the marks, I would guess most of these 'got away', it only stands to reason that other species would show the same marks be it something other than giggers/poachers.

Again, I believe if these pictures were plastered on the notification boards in and around the areas they are found in, the ones resposible will think twice, and maybe quit alltogether. Conservation officers are limited on what they can do. We the fisherman/women, can help in our own ways. Lets be proactive in getting the message out that we know what is happening. What can it hurt?

[Wayne SW/MO]

Again, I believe if these pictures were plastered on the notification boards in and around the areas they are found in, the ones resposible will think twice, and maybe quit alltogether.

Why? They know it's against the law.

If you're going to put a dent in it you have to do something that makes enforcment easy. There are too many accesses, fords and other areas to drop a boat in. You can't wait for them because they already have eyes and ears waiting for them a phone call away. They don't put the fish in the trucks so the window to find illegal fish is small.

I still contend they should limit their ability to gig the wrong fish, whether accidentally or on purpose, by making them do it with traditional equiptment. Tradition is their argument for continuing and there is precedence for it. You can't use a crossbow during archery season or centerfires during black powder, it's not traditional.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Why? They know it's against the law.

If you're going to put a dent in it you have to do something that makes enforcment easy. There are too many accesses, fords and other areas to drop a boat in. You can't wait for them because they already have eyes and ears waiting for them a phone call away. They don't put the fish in the trucks so the window to find illegal fish is small.

I still contend they should limit their ability to gig the wrong fish, whether accidentally or on purpose, by making them do it with traditional equiptment. Tradition is their argument for continuing and there is precedence for it. You can't use a crossbow during archery season or centerfires during black powder, it's not traditional.

What can it hurt? I am proposing to put it on the baords that are already there. Sure, everyone who is doing it may not see it, but it will make more people aware of it, just like the original topic did.

I guess I believe when soemone does something wrong, it doesn't seem as "wrong" when they think no one knows about it. When they realize the evidence of their wrongdoing is found, maybe they will slow down or stop.

Kinda like the idea to keep people from moving firewood. The more people see the pictures of the dead forests, the more they decide to go ahead and buy it locally. If I am doing something wrong, and I know someone is on to me, I am more likely to straighten up.

I know what my signature line says, and it is a joke. I do try to live by morals, and try to follow most laws.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Daryk I'm not singling you out, but you do have the mindset of someone who is not that close to it all. You're ceratinly not alone and in fact you're most likely in the majority. The fact is people close to the river don't read those boards because they have word of mouth for their news, etc.

If I am doing something wrong, and I know someone is on to me, I am more likely to straighten up.

The problem is these people have an inside track, they know where the agents live, they have a large group of people on the bank waiting for them, and the word of mouth news says nothing is happening. If the MDC wants make the effort they need to call in a bunch of people, slip down to a shoal and then call boats over for inspection before they can dump anything.

The Niangua is a good example of why they need to be on the river. They caught some at an access several years ago and it slowed down the boys that had to use the public accesses, but it did nothing to worry those that don't and they are most likely the worst offenders.

While the county agent setup has some merit, they need more to combat todays technology. If you're going to get ahead of cell phones, etc you have to be inconspicuous and many.

[Stoneroller]

there should be zero tolerance for an idiot who 'accidently' gigs a fish other than a sucker. Does that same dbag 'accidently' shoot bald eagles instead of geese? Does he 'accidently' harvest antlered deer when he only has an doe tag? Sorry but IGNORANCE is not an excuse and it's frankly pathetic, narrow minded, and permisive to suggest that it is. That kind of attitude, plus the complete lack of enforcement is what has proliferated the attitude in missouri that you can gig whatever you want because the sad truth is, you WILL get away with it.

It's cliche, but it's true, if you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Complacency breeds ignorance, don't be that guy.