These are not gigged bass

[Mitch f]

44 minutes ago, Jerry Rapp said:

just curious, how many gigging guides are there?  Gigging outfitters?  Resorts catering to giggers?

Good question, I know Cowtown (a boat dealer) has sponsored gigging tourneys on the Gasconade. Not sure about resorts. 

I found a link:

 

 

[Chief Grey Bear]

22 minutes ago, Mitch f said:

 

Got the response back from the MDC...I'll stick by my original statement, if a guy gigs a bass accidentally, and throws it back, he wouldnt get a ticket even if an MDC agent is in the boat. 

Why don't you try it then. Invite an agent, gig a bass, see what he does. Then we'll know. Otherwise you're just continually making unfounded, unsubstantiated, conspiracy theories. 

[Chief Grey Bear]

On February 7, 2016 at 8:28 AM, Mitch f said:

I think gigging fish is the only sport that misidentification won't get you a citation. These guys operate under the mindset that as long as they don't keep the gigged bass, all is well. I really don't think they would've even received a citation for these bass even if the MDC was in the boat with them. As long as they throw it back, no problem......Oh Well, it happens. They just stick as many fish swimming as they can then cull. The Big is murkier than other rivers, gives them an excuse

And by the way, your original statement didn't say "accidently". 

[fishinwrench]

I think it could be quite simple. They should put up signs at all accesses saying that when the number of confirmed gigged sportfish has reached a sufficient number then gigging will be  prohibited on this river for a period of 7-12 years. 

[Smalliebigs]

1 hour ago, Chief Grey Bear said:

Why don't you try it then. Invite an agent, gig a bass, see what he does. Then we'll know. Otherwise you're just continually making unfounded, unsubstantiated, conspiracy theories. 

Hahahaha. .....well that pretty much sums it up.....you have a permanent built in excuse to gig game fish without penalty unless you are stupid ebough to keep gigging game fish iN front of an agent.....then it would be up to the descretion of the agent.....you are good to go.... gig whatever whenever until somebody says something then you might want to stop hahahahah....hehaw MIZZOURAH we rock!!!!

I will  give credit where credit is due with MDC though as it does seem like they are encouraging Stab-n-Release.....that should help some of these Smallmouth that are bigger....the stabs shouldn't  provide too many pathways for infection. Baby steps in the right direction Stab-n-Release for a brighter future for our fish stocks.

[grizzly]

43 minutes ago, Chief Grey Bear said:

Why don't you try it then. Invite an agent, gig a bass, see what he does. Then we'll know. Otherwise you're just continually making unfounded, unsubstantiated, conspiracy theories. 

I think the "One example of a situation that would probably result in a citation is if a person repeatedly gigs gamefish." statement puts a bit of a hole in the "unfounded, unsubstantiated conspiracy theory" jargon you are throwing around.  Realistically, gigging puts an MDC agent in a difficult situation. We all make mistakes, but a gigging mistake hurts just a tad more than a barbed fly in a barbless only area.  The agent is a human and may take mitigating factors into account despite the fact that it seems that this law is one of strict liability.  Personally, I don't know what I would do if I was the agent in a small town where everyone knows each other. . . 

[grizzly]

20 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

I think it could be quite simple. They should put up signs at all accesses saying that when the number of confirmed gigged sportfish has reached a sufficient number then gigging will be  prohibited on this river for a period of 7-12 years. 

Or they could put a limit on the amount of gigged fish.  For example, 100(or whatever number) confirmed gigged fish equates to the end of the gigging season.  It might be a little harsh to those who gig ethically, but it could put result in people reporting  those who poach in order to keep the gigging season alive.  

[Chief Grey Bear]

54 minutes ago, Hog Wally said:

Like I've said before.  It's not against the law to gig bass.  It's against the law to keep them.  That's the problem with gigging. 

Oh really? 

I can't find in the Wildlife Code where it states as long as you release them.....

[MOPanfisher]

The tough part of enforcement of gigged game fish (talking accidental) is having proof to show the judge, very very few times will a gigged gamefish which is promptly raked off the side of the boat going to happen in view of an Agent.  The ones who stand a chance of getting caught are those who keep a gigged game fish.  Gigging by the simple fact of how it done makes enforcement tough. 

 

[Jerry Rapp]

If gigging was banned, it wouldn't hurt MDC's revenue at all.  Ban it for 5 years and see what happens.  I guess all the gigging outfitters will go out of business, and Cowtown will survive.