Poaching Season

[LarrySTL]

Somehow this thread seems to have slid into the:

"stop SM gigging" *OR*

"stop illegal SM rod and reel catch and cook" "OR*

"tighten SM regs significantly at least toward '1 over 18' or 'C&R only' ".

Why OR ?

I know there may be some proud longstanding ozark tradition dating back at least to Quantrell, Jesse James, etc on this, but as one of the sort-of-new kids on the block when did our forefathers declare fourscore and many years ago that we could only approach this issue in one way ?

But I think most folks here would say each of those could help. Yes, one might help more than the others. Yes, one might be more politically or financially do-able than others, but if we collectively are not going to do anything other than kill pixels until we all agree on each aspect of this, we are going to be waist deep in the dead pixels and still pushing on.

( with apologies to Abe and Pete)

[Hog Wally]

No disrespect to smallie fisherman but I'm talking for all fish. Flatheads? Very rare to catch one over 40 lbs. walleye? Largemouth? Crappie for crying out loud. This isn't a stab in the dark-no pun intended a few guys on the river are poaching the best of the best fish. First weekend of gigging season it's a guarantee you will see spoonbill in 30 bridge hole. By Christmas they gone! That's what I'm talking about. Who would eat suckers when they can have flathead and walleye? It's not even a argument. I've seen it Over and over. It's too freakin easy to do. They can't stop themselves.

[Chief Grey Bear]

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?

Yes fish are a renewable resource. So long as you have a resource to renew. Here is a short list of other renewable resources that used to inhabit this state in great numbers: bison, elk, swamp rabbit, jack rabbit, alligator gar, prairie chicken, and many, many others. And without solid, very strict regulations deer, which was closed to hunting for many years, and turkey, would not be where they are now.

Now you obviously don't pay attention or you don't have a clue how slot limits work. I have never called for the halting of the harvest of bass from rivers and streams. All I have ever advocated is the implementation of a slot limit that benefits both the resource and those that use it.

By having a slot limit you still get to harvest fish to eat. That does not stop.

Remember, it is a resource for all of us to use. But it is not a resource for some to rape repeatedly. You are not the sole owner or user of the resource.

[fishinSWMO]

You are not the sole owner or user of the resource.

Never said I was. I'm not the one advocating changes to benefit myself, or lead people to think they know whats best for the resource.

Constantly trying to arm chair quarterback MDC's job for them.

The point is, constant complaining about something not in your control, most likely means it will never be good enough for you.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Never said I was. I'm not the one advocating changes to benefit myself, or lead people to think they know whats best for the resource.

Constantly trying to arm chair quarterback MDC's job for them.

The point is, constant complaining about something not in your control, most likely means it will never be good enough for you.

Thanks for proving my point on how well you pay attention.

[cwc87]

Guys I live in the middle of the meramec region and I see gigging boats going out all the time. There is alot of gigging going on in my area more so now than ever before. 20 years ago there was not near the amount of people gigging. I bet when they sell fishing license they could do a survey and find out a # of those who gig?? Granted yes there are alot of ethical giggers (Seth) but the newbies (young kids, women) can easily mistake a gamefish for a sucker!

I know the MDC gets it and are listening and reading what we are saying. Everyone cant chill anymore and the whole gigging issue is coming to the forefront. The more the media and social media talks about it makes everyone aware. So many angles to handle the situation is very complicated to set forth future actions. For now, we see activity and signs of what is happening we must contact the right people but more IMPORTANTLY LET THE COUNTY PROSECUTORS KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. All citations go throught their hands and until we make those pay nothing will change!

[bfishn]

Y'all gonna love this. Coming soon to a stream near you;

Did I see a jet ski in that mess?

Added

High voltage, water, and hard liquor. Methinks the sport will regulate itself.

Future iterations may involve burka-wearing Ninjas on jetskis or semisubmersibles, using the guise as giggers to infiltrate the river system to headwaters near Whiteman AFB, where they'll hijack some B2s...

[Fishslayer88]

My stream is not big enough for that many idiots to stand on the bank.

[Quillback]

I never knew there were gigging tournaments.

[Fishslayer88]

It looked more like a bunch of drunks doing some midnight john boat raysin.