Gigging Is Stupid

[Al Agnew]

OK....lets argue about clearest river in the state..Ron, I'd really appreciate a link to the secchi disk data on the Black River v. other rivers in the state if you are going to give your opinion on these types of matters.

Hey, this is maybe worthy of a thread of its own, so I think I'll start one up in the general discussion page.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Lots of streams in Mo that are air-clear like the forks of the Black. Little Sugar, Big Sugar/Elk in SW Mo-- are extremely clear. Bull Creek, upper Swan, Roaring River, Flat Creek. Many streams down there are. I'd give that corner of the state the area with the most. Though we have a couple creeks over this way too, upper Jacks, Little Piney, lots of the Big Piney, Mineral Fork, Huzzah, Courtouis, upper Meramec. How can you split hairs over gin-clear in a stream that never gets deeper than 10 feet? and you can see all the way to the bottom in just about any spot (assuming low-water conditions). Ridiculous comparison and you'll never crown one stream in Mo THE clearest. And smaller streams are always going to appear to be more clear anyway.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Gavin - what the heck is a secchi disk data? ; )

[laker67]

Hey judge and jury Al Agnew, dont insult mine for asking

[fishinwrench]

I love it when political correctness falls at the feet of curmudgeonism. Makes me feel like less of an overall jackass.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Well TL this has been my thoughts all along, you just said it better. Seems to be alot of pictures of so called gig marks, has anyone given the possibility that they are otter wounds instead?

I think they look very similar to either a 7.5 Evinrude prop or Jet intake.

Aarrgghh!!! Look guys, I have not advocated banning gigging, but if I hear one more ridiculous suggestion that what we're seeing is ANYTHING but gig marks, I'm gonna puke.

I was gonna play with you a little Al but didn't want Mary to have to clean up the mess. So just let me say, at the risk of inflaming the those that enjoy legal gigging, if the biggest problem is on the Meramec, maybe close it to gigging. But if that were to happen would it then, just move the problem to another river????

[rangerman]

OK, rangerman then there is a problem on the Meremac,what would you suggest be done? Ban ALL gigging because of these boneheads or go directly to the problem.They (the MDC) for most part have taken care of the problem on Swan creek with the walleye.

If your checking boats then you must be with the MDC?

Ok ok, I am with the Sheriffs Office however, I constantly check ramps due to vehicle break in problems at our conservation areas. I run into alot of problem giggers however, getting an agent to come out late at night over gigging violations is next to impossible....Plus this is a LARGE busy county and I just dont have time to sit and babysit them while I await an agent.

Dont have a solution...Maybe have established ramps where giggers have to put in, however there are alot of private ramps for guys that put in at. So the only other solution would be better WILDLIFE enforcement and heavier fines. 99 percent of summons issued by MDC are mailed to the FCC. Just like traffic summons. Ok you get a ticket, pay your fine, and back to fishing or hunting. The guys that end up going to court, get slapped on the hand by judges who are just not familiar or care about the fish and wildlife resources we have and how bad the situation really is. Why, because fines are paid through the mail, and the judges just do see the violations much.

[rangerman]

The walleye on the Meremac are really trying their best to come back, I have seen more walleye catches on the Meremac the last couple of years by common anglers than I have since the late 80's. Same with smallmouth. This is even with a obvious dropping water table. However, the river like others have been low, not allowing giggers full run of the river like usual, or murky resulting in no gigging at all. Are the rising numbers of smallies and walleye the result of low gigger numbers, I dont know but it is a weird coincidence.

[fishinwrench]

The walleye on the Meremac are really trying their best to come back,

Back from where?

The guys that end up going to court, get slapped on the hand by judges who are just not familiar or care about the fish and wildlife resource

So your county judges base their "judgements" on personal opinions over and above the classification and associated punishment for any given crime. Ironically, if anyone else in the court system were doing their job properly a judge who does that would be unemployable by the state.

I know that in many unlawful acts using a boat, truck ect. it can result in a seizure of the items used in the crime.

[eric1978]

So your county judges base their "judgements" on personal opinions over and above the classification and associated punishment for any given crime. Ironically, if anyone else in the court system were doing their job properly a judge who does that would be unemployable by the state.

Well that's true of all judges in every court...there's always going to be some degree of personal opinion influencing any decision. Why do you think Supreme Court justice appointments are so hotly contested? And judges in lower courts are elected by the people...so it's another example of us getting the government we deserve. Of course who pays attention to judges come election time? I always just leave mine blank on the ballot because I never have a clue about any of them. If I lived in a rural area I might look more closely, I suppose.