Poaching Season

[KCRIVERRAT]

The MDC is rated as one of the top conservation departments in the US. Here's what I'm thinking though... There are issues south and north of I-70 that has Jeff City (AND... the MDC) sitting on the fence. You guys know Missouri has it's own Mason-Dixon line.

[Hog Wally]

Here's the deal: if by chance a walleye,smallie,flathead,largemouth or whatever makes it through the gauntlet of life to reach a size considered trophy then along comes said gigger and its all over but the hot oil. That's the point. They will never pass a trophy fish up. Same knuckleheads will shoot a booner day before season. I only gig hog mollies so its hard to mistake them for anything else. If gigging season on the meramec closed I wouldn't shed a tear. I'm telling you from living on the river my whole life that its a overall bad deal for anyone who fishes with a rod and reel

[Mitch f]

Here's the deal: if by chance a walleye,smallie,flathead,largemouth or whatever makes it through the gauntlet of life to reach a size considered trophy then along comes said gigger and its all over but the hot oil. That's the point. They will never pass a trophy fish up.

Exactly, too tempting

They have total control over a very delicate eco system

[Chief Grey Bear]

Here's the deal: if by chance a walleye,smallie,flathead,largemouth or whatever makes it through the gauntlet of life to reach a size considered trophy then along comes said gigger and its all over but the hot oil. That's the point. They will never pass a trophy fish up.

Yeah because no rod and reeler harvested a trophy fish ever.

[Al Agnew]

I'm tired of beating my head against the wall on this topic. Until you've spent some time in the winter fishing rivers like the Meramec where this is happening, I guess you won't understand how much it hurts.

[Flysmallie]

Yeah Chief, there are no unethical giggers on this side of the state.

[fishinSWMO]

Gigging a bass is illegal.

Catching and keeping a legal size bass is legal.

I have no problems trying to stop poaching, I'm glad some of you are trying to bring attention to this problem.

Trying to change regulations on rod and reel fishermen to compensate for poaching problems is not cool.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I'm tired of beating my head against the wall on this topic.

Me too.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Trying to change regulations on rod and reel fishermen to compensate for poaching problems is not cool.

I care more about the resource than looking cool.

[fishinSWMO]

Trying to change regulations on rod and reel fishermen to compensate for poaching problems is not cool.I care more about the resource than looking cool.

Fish are a renewable resource, they are there to harvest like deer. You want to use the resource how you seem fit, catch and release hundreds with hook wounds, but frown on harvest. You want everyone to use the resource the same way you do, for pleasure only.

The end result, after more regulations, you hope for bigger fish to look cool.

There are already many restrictions and special zones for big fish pictures. what's next,a special members only creek to float when there's too much general public fishing smallmouth waters?