Poaching Season

[Smalliebigs]

Well gigging season opened this morning and we are lucky for the time being that the water temps are warm enough that we still have an algae bloom going which will hamper most gigers with the water clarity. Once the water temps lower into the 60's and the water really clears up then it's time for the poacher to do their thing and start nailing trophy bass from our waterways. I know you all think I dwell on this issue but, I rivers are not up to their potential for trophy bass fishing for many reasons and one is illegal gigging.

I have family members who are giggers and I would consider them ethical and the admittedly stab a few bass on accident they claim. If this is the case for someone who doesn't target bass and trout or anything that swims in the river for that matter, imagine what someone who doesn't give a dung about the law and is only out to get as much meat as they can no matter what species it is.

There is a criminal element involved with illegal gigging, they almost always launch from a private ramp in the cloak of darkness and probally aren't the nicest people in the world if you ever encounter them. Please for the sake of trophy bass and trout if you see illegal activity report it someway somehow. I'm not asking for you to intervene, leave that to nut jobs like me who don't give a crap. I just want you to be diligent and carry a smart phone if you have one, keep your location services on and take pics if need be and always report the activity if you see it to your County's Conservation agent and or Sheriff or police. I copied a link below from the MDC that you can search your county's agents number....the search engine is about halfway down on the right side of the page, keep those numbers on your phones. The MDC needs our help they can't be everywhere all the time obviously but, if you see it, report it.

I know Franklin county on the Middle Meramec has a big problem and I will be out there this fall and winter chasing these assclowns and helping the MDC bring these poachers down.

[Smalliebigs]

Sorry couldn't post the MDC link the first time......here it is http://mdc.mo.gov/regional-contacts?county=36

[Mitch f]

Yes, report all illegal activity please. take photos...document, document

[LarrySTL]

MDC Operation Game Thief 800-392-1111 Statewide number.

[Bird Watcher]

So, I'm trying to keep score at home here.

Just so I'm clear, is the smallmouth bass fishing in decline from giggers, bait fisherman, spotted bass, gravel mining, tournaments, lax creel regulations, fishing pressure from canoe outfitters, or stream erosion/pressure from jet boaters?

I thought I had it all figured out, but I've got to admit, I'm getting a little confused.

Do you want me to go harass the spotted bass and gravel miners while you chase the giggers?

[fishinwrench]

Sounds like a posse is assembling. I'll cover the otters !

[Feathers and Fins]

So, I'm trying to keep score at home here.

Just so I'm clear, is the smallmouth bass fishing in decline from giggers, bait fisherman, spotted bass, gravel mining, tournaments, lax creel regulations, fishing pressure from canoe outfitters, or stream erosion/pressure from jet boaters?

I thought I had it all figured out, but I've got to admit, I'm getting a little confused.

Do you want me to go harass the spotted bass and gravel miners while you chase the giggers?

You forgot Hog Farms, Cattle using creeks for bathrooms, Farm run-off and Otters oh wait Wrench got them, I will help with Beaver I like getting Beaver.

[Mitch f]

If you don't live near the problem you don't know what we're talking about.

[Flysmallie]

Cattle using creeks for bathrooms

But I thought we determined that we could just shoot those? Do you need a tag for that?

I actually hate this. Nothing like a gravel bar covered in pie.

[Justin Spencer]

Don't forget mortality from the practice of catch and release angling. It might be a low % but it adds up.