Gigging Bust

[Mitch f]

On the Pomme De Terre River, notice they will gig anything that swims.

On MDC Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/MDCOnline/posts/10153813632842962:0

[Jerry Rapp]

tis the season.

[MOsmallies]

Glad to see another low life get busted! One down many to go!!

[Jerry Rapp]

Mitch, is there an actual link to this story?  I looked around and couldn't find anything.  I wish I could have.

[Mitch f]

5 minutes ago, Jerry Rapp said:

Mitch, is there an actual link to this story?  I looked around and couldn't find anything.  I wish I could have.

Looks like 2 of the LMB were over 5 pounds

[MOPanfisher]

This was literally about 15 minutes from my house.  I know both of the agents, they made a bust for illegal gigging on opening.day of firearms deer season.  Dont you know that was a loooong day.  Way to go Susie and Keith.

[fishinwrench]

Wish we knew the names.  I'd like to know what their fine amounts to.  

 

If the agent was close enough to tell that they gigged a LMB then surely he was close enough to holler at them and tell them to STOP!   Instead of letting them kill a BUNCH more fish.  

[MOPanfisher]

Without  a boat it would be tough to do much more than observe until they return to the launch point.   Agent:  "yes your honor I observed the defendant gig what appeared to be a game fish, specifically a largemouth bass, so I yelled at them to stop and motor down to the ramp.so I could issue them a ticket, but by the time they got there they didn't have any illegal fish in the boat".

[fishinwrench]

5 minutes ago, MOPanfisher said:

Without  a boat it would be tough to do much more than observe until they return to the launch point.   Agent:  "yes your honor I observed the defendant gig what appeared to be a game fish, specifically a largemouth bass, so I yelled at them to stop and motor down to the ramp.so I could issue them a ticket, but by the time they got there they didn't have any illegal fish in the boat".

OK but it would have stopped them before another bass was dead, no ?

Since it went THAT far then I wanna see them loose a boat/motor/trailer, and a truck,  and do enough jail time that they all 3 get 90 days behind on their mortgage.    I know it can be done, hell a guy lost his whole life over a darn Spoonbill.  

[MOPanfisher]

Which would be more effective in protecting the bass/crappie/catfish making an arrest that will stick and make the papers and Facebook etc.  Or sacrificing the case so they don't kill another bass before they can be "caught".  8 bass, 3 crappie, and 2 channels certainly isnt going to depoplulate that section of river, i have seen several boats go out with that many legally caught and in a livewell.  I certainly don't have a problem with making the punishment hurt, but that is up to the judge.   Truthfully I don't know the judge even though I live in the same county, so not sure if he/she will make it hurt or not.