Poaching Season

[Quillback]

It always helps to be able to see both sides and realize there is really no wrong or right, only differing opinions, each of which have merit.

There is also the economic argument, if gamefish numbers are reduced significantly because of poaching (whatever the method), you could see fewer canoe rentals, lodging stays, tackle sales, etc.

[Justin Spencer]

It always helps to be able to see both sides and realize there is really no wrong or right, only differing opinions, each of which have merit.

This comment had nothing to do with poaching or gigging. Obviously laws need to be followed as they are there for a reason. I was referring to people's opinions in general be it about gigging, sport fishing, catch and release, catch and keep, politics, etc. We all believe our opinions are the correct ones, but opinions are just that, in most cases we can't really prove our opinion is the correct one. The law is the law and should be followed, just like we shouldn't stop fishing because of poachers, gigging shouldn't be stopped because of poachers, driving shouldn't be outlawed because of drunk drivers, guns shouldn't be banned because of murderers etc.

[Terrierman]

I was on the river (actually Beaver Creek) Saturday and part of Sunday. Take out point was a remote low water bridge. There was a fish fry there Saturday night. Probably two dozen or maybe a few more carcasses laying on the bottom right below the bridge. Every single one was a sucker.

[fishinwrench]

Ban something because of people who break the law! Ya that's the thing to do it works so well where its been implemented in other subjects. New regulations, New laws, New fines, Blah Blah Blah is NOT the solution we already have laws on the books to deal with Illegal activity. ENFORCEMENT of them and possibly tougher penalties are the solution but first you have to have the enforcers out there.

Well IMO it would take a heck of a lot less effort to bust a outlaw gigging party than it would be to infiltrate a small town drug cartel. Sad fact is that the payoff isn't as good.

[fishinwrench]

I was on the river (actually Beaver Creek) Saturday and part of Sunday. Take out point was a remote low water bridge. There was a fish fry there Saturday night. Probably two dozen or maybe a few more carcasses laying on the bottom right below the bridge. Every single one was a sucker.

There's no question that giggers PREFER a sucker fry. But once the shindig has been planned, the cooking oil and cornmeal bought and all the gear loaded there IS gonna be a fish fry regardless of whether the suckers cooperate or not.

If the suckers happen to be scarce that night they aren't just gonna eat jerky and frito's and call it a nite.

[Flysmallie]

Well IMO it would take a heck of a lot less effort to bust a outlaw gigging party than it would be to infiltrate a small town drug cartel. Sad fact is that the payoff isn't as good.

True. I bet if you told the LEO that there were a bunch of kids down on the river with a case of beer and bag of weed they would descend on that place like Apocalypse Now.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I never knew there were gigging tournaments.

I couldn't find the footage of it but Andrew Zimmern was on Elk River gigging suckers a year or two ago or so. I don't think it was a bonifide tourney. I think, from what I think I remember it was a group of guys, 5 or 10 boats that got together on a Friday or Saturday night. I think it was ever weekend during the season.

http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/bizarre-foods/travel-guides/the-ozarks?cat=see-do#map-scroll

[Fishslayer88]

Yup he broke some poor guys arm.

[Seth]

Cowtown holds a couple gigging tourneys on the Gasconade each fall. The five biggest suckers win. There are conservation agents waiting at the ramp at weigh in to check everybody. It's a fun and very well run event.

I talked to an angler this weekend who fishes the Meramec quite a bit and does very well in tournaments about this thread. He said he thinks that river otters are a bigger problem than giggers. He said the smallies congregate around springs in the winter and that he would bet money that the otters clean house. What do you other guys think of that statement?

[joeD]

This thread is a perfect example of why the MDC does nothing about fishing regulations, as it pertains to smallmouth, and trout, in our public streams. They cannot be seen as favoring one "side" or the other. Therefore, hamstrung with indecision, they do nothing, passing responsibility on to future Conservation "regimes", while keeping the guise of impartiality. They know what is right for fishing in Missouri, but lack the political and social will to act upon it, for fear of alienating a marginalized and wrongly revered subset of the Missouri fishing population.

But, as we all know, if we would leave our hoosier fishing brothers and sisters alone, letting them do what they want, where they want, when they want, without fear of reprisal, I'm quite sure fishing in Missouri Ozark streams would improve exponentially.

C'mon. They deserve a break. I feel ashamed about my lack respect for their "traditions." You should too.

The very idea of being intelligent and moving civilization forwARD IS JUST PLAIN WRONG.