Gigging Is Stupid

[Tightline]

Just for the record I am not trying to sound like an expert on all things fish related like some do on here,just saying what I have seen and experienced through many many hours on water.The sad thing is alot of the ones with knowledge and thousands of hours experience remain quiet. I am not an expert at anything, just saying what I think.

Al, I don't buy your assertion that it wouldn't make a difference with the suckers over populating especially on the bigger streams and rivers where they don't need to run back to deep water to feed.I think it would make a huge difference.

As far as the smaller streams not being accessable to giggers,that has been the point I have tried to make.The smallmouth populations are not anything like they use to be on ones I have fished.Why,CATCH AND KEEP EVERYTHING fishermen.

The James is probably the hardest hit river in SW Missouri by giggers,Why don't we hear of piles dead smallmouth hid away,why don't we hear of bunchs of smallmouth with gig marks.I have never seen any holes on a bass that I have caught out of the James,just broken jaws and fungus from catch and release.

Some people have an agenda and try not to look like they do.

Oh yeah, what was it the smallmouth evolved from,wasn't it a salamander because you can clearly tell the fins use to be tiny little legs.

[fishinwrench]

I thought the fish came before salamanders.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I thought the fish came before salamanders.

I don't know but when homosapien got involved, it was all down hill from there.

[rangerman]

In twelve years, I have NEVER seen a vehicle or boat seized..... Large scale cases may result in seizures, not smaller scale violations that result in a mail in summons. And yes, judges can use their own discretion in issuing fines on guilty verdicts.

[ness]

Just for the record I am not trying to sound like an expert on all things fish related like some do on here,just saying what I have seen and experienced through many many hours on water.

Hey Tightline, don't be bashful. This place is swimming with people trying to sound like an expert on all things fish related. There's always room for more!

[Mitch f]

Hey Tightline, don't be bashful. This place is swimming with people trying to sound like an expert on all things fish related. There's always room for more!

:have-a-nice-day:

[ness]

Rangerman,

It's interesting to hear your perspective. Earlier when you said it would be next to impossible to get a conservation agent out at night to make a bust: is that nothing more that the guy is off duty, and maybe it's too much of a drive? I can sure see that.

It would be nice to see some interest generated in taking on this kind of offense. Maybe a little work beforehand, including input from the folks here who have seen the problems in certain locations. I would think a CA might be open to a night time operation if it was planned in advance. Much more so that a call in the middle of the night that there might be something going on, and it's a 40 minute drive to go and see.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Hey Tightline, don't be bashful. This place is swimming with people trying to sound like an expert on all things fish related. There's always room for more!

Most of them from the MSA. I didn't just say that.

[fishinwrench]

Rangerman,

It's interesting to hear your perspective. Earlier when you said it would be next to impossible to get a conservation agent out at night to make a bust: is that nothing more that the guy is off duty, and maybe it's too much of a drive? I can sure see that.

It would be nice to see some interest generated in taking on this kind of offense. Maybe a little work beforehand, including input from the folks here who have seen the problems in certain locations. I would think a CA might be open to a night time operation if it was planned in advance. Much more so that a call in the middle of the night that there might be something going on, and it's a 40 minute drive to go and see.

So tell him you think it's a boatload of half-naked women. That'll get the salaried peckerwood in route with a quickness.

[soggyfeet]

I dont gig nor do a smallmouth fish so I really dont have a opinion either way. However I don not like the poaching or breaking of the wildlife laws or any law for that matter. Saying that and reading all the way through this thread I have noticed that there is a network of illegal giggers that will not be caught with a bunch of guys calling each other names over a keyboard. I think the bottom line here is there is a problem in certian areas during specific times of the year. We know that the MDC is streached thin and have a difficult time being everywhere all the time. The best way to fix the issue hands down would to put an agent in every boat, treestand, blind, etc. We know that isnt going to happen so what I feel that can happen is the MDC needs our info instead of grips. Most cellphones these days have video and camera functions. While you are out doing whatever it may be that you do and you see something that isnt right take a pic or a video is better sometimes. Boat numbers, lisence plates, and faces of offenders will do more for your cause than to say gigging does or doesnt suck.