We Have Huge Issues - Smallmouth Poaching

[exiledguide]

So a guy on face book brags he's taking fish and lots of them post pictures and the MDC as usual can't or wont do anything?

[Guest Brian B.]

Well fellas- admittedly, I have been in Illinois for a while now, but it NEVER OCCURRED to me that someone would have such low class as to consider himself as some kind of sports(gook) by trapping a smallie in a root wad and jamming a sharp gig at it.

Honestly, I will be lit up for saying this... The only way to eliminate this.. On. The trophy waters, the protected/ highly managed waters, ban gigging of any species. Now we both know that will never happen, but it is the only way a game official could ever roll/ walk up and have the authority to say "what the hell are you doing in the possesion. Of a gig on this body of water?

Now I am not for that, I know that people gig hoggies and such, but I mean gosh-darned- he really isn't at least going to come away with a visit, not so much as an inquiry? Sounds lazy as hell on MDC's part- sorry to say. Isn't that why they call it an investigation? -do your job-, hello?

The link a fellow member sent me- I can't get on to facebook with this company telephone- gosh knows why.. I will try to remember to check him out from my wife's iPhone. (Thanks)

I am being very, very serious, this guy ("Kandam Style!") needs bodily harm in a major way.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I am as disgusted with this as everyone here. But let me play devil's advocate here for just a second and then I will come right back to this side. Knowing what I do about MDC operations, this cat is on the radar big time now. They are not happy about this let me assure you guy's. But one piece of troubling fact is that there is a rod in the photo. He could argue that he legally caught the fish with the rod. He could argue that he legally possessed the fish as we see he did others. I am not even sure that fish was alive when that photo was taken. He can argue that the fish was dead and they then just for fun posed for the picture. Now we believe that is not the case at all and most likely so. But it would a very hard case to prove in a court of law.

Now back to sensibility, I am against spear fishing and bow fishing especially on unimpounded waters. I am not really a fan of spearfishing in lakes either but....

I floated Elk river a few weeks ago and could see the carnage all along the river from bow fishermen. I even saw them out there in their jetboat buzzing up and down the river looking for surfacing gar. It looks as if they are pounding this water every weekend shooting gar. I saw literally a 100 carcasses. They were floating, on gravel bars and a whole pile of them at the take out. I know some of you are not gar fans and you think they prey only on smallouth. Well remember this, they have been here a few MILLION years longer than most all other species in our waters. It was the other species that we love to chase the evolved and migrated into the gar's territory. So they must all be getting along just fine. Heck besides a rock, what else can you hold that has survived this earth for so long. There are presious few animals from that era left.

Al, I would like to get with you, Matt, and Dan and begin some real discussion on what direction the MSA needs to move to approach the MDC on these issues.

[dennis boatman]

Agreed...

Have to agree with this post 100%...........

[Smalliebigs]

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

That's the kinda of crap that gives honest giggers an spear fisherman a bad name

[blue79]

Is that a ropeswing in the background?Shouldn't be that hard to find.Hes probably there right now.Heck,we already got a tree and a rope.

[Smalliebigs]

say it aint so

[Chief Grey Bear]

That is super news Scott. Sounds like things are beginning to gell!

Listen to what he said.....because it is very true, if we could eliminate illegal gigging and spearing, after a few years of recovery, you guys would be catching 18 to 20's every time out. How we go about doing that well......thats why I'm such a pissy biotch on here.

There is more work to be done than this. There are much bigger problems facing our waterways. There are thousands of Crowbars in this state. Every one of them legal. Just like the clown you ran into. They are out there every weekend. We have to work to change unimpounded water regulations and work with land owners to help repair the rivers and streams. I have said right here on this forum for years that this is a great area for the MSA to step in and take charge and really make a difference.

I am not saying illegal gigging is not hurtful either. Just not convinced it is as devastating as the catch and keep crowd which are pulling them out of the rivers all year long.

[Smalliebigs]