These are not gigged bass

[Al Agnew]

SpoonDog, I don't often fish below Maramec Spring, but I did once so far this winter, caught a pile of smallmouth, and none had gig scars.  I can't remember ever catching one there that did.  So that kinda tells you something, I think.  No doubt that this is a lot more of a problem on some stream sections than others.  I really think that the Meramec is one of the worst.

I also think you're right in that this is a small group of people doing this, and thus they are hard to catch.  I think it would take both a more visible presence of agents on the water at night, not just at the accesses, and some staking out of the best wintering pools.  Neither would be easy to do.  And Mitch is right about fear of retribution...some of these guys are probably law breakers in other ways besides gigging.  I now own land on the Meramec that could be used for the agents to access one of the better wintering pools on that particular section of the river, but if they used my land to access it, staked it out, and arrested a few of these guys, I'd be a little afraid that I'd suffer some vandalism at least, because they'd be able to figure out that the agents came across my land to get there.

I don't know what the answer is, either.  It's just really frustrating.

[SpoonDog]

6 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Well they piss away plenty of money on other "feel good measures".

Maybe we can knit some smallie-size kevlar sweaters for them?

[Chief Grey Bear]

23 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

1 hour ago, Al Agnew said:

SpoonDog, I don't often fish below Maramec Spring, but I did once so far this winter, caught a pile of smallmouth, and none had gig scars.  I can't remember ever catching one there that did.  So that kinda tells you something, I think.  No doubt that this is a lot more of a problem on some stream sections than others.  I really think that the Meramec is one of the worst.

I also think you're right in that this is a small group of people doing this, and thus they are hard to catch.  I think it would take both a more visible presence of agents on the water at night, not just at the accesses, and some staking out of the best wintering pools.  Neither would be easy to do.  And Mitch is right about fear of retribution...some of these guys are probably law breakers in other ways besides gigging.  I now own land on the Meramec that could be used for the agents to access one of the better wintering pools on that particular section of the river, but if they used my land to access it, staked it out, and arrested a few of these guys, I'd be a little afraid that I'd suffer some vandalism at least, because they'd be able to figure out that the agents came across my land to get there.

I don't know what the answer is, either.  It's just really frustrating.

 

 

So you have an opportunity to contribute to a cause you obviously think is a major problem that you have vehemently condemned along with anyone that may not completely 100% see it as you do, and you choose to look the other way because you may or may not get some property damage?

 

[Al Agnew]

Hey, some of the stuff that a certain member of OAF has experienced after making a stink about this is enough to make one worry a bit.  But if the agents would be willing to do it, I'd probably go along with it.  Hopefully a locked gate would deter them.

[Gavin]

Bigs.... Emotionally motivated, fickle, but a fish catching machine at times...Cam Newton of the OA ;)!  Biggest gripe with this nonsense is that MDC is so slow to act. I get paid to be responsive, ask good questions to clarify and solve problems in addition to deliverering a high quality product  as quickly as possible. I don't see that from MDC. Ask for something...wait in line, not interested, not a problem. Why aren't they asking us  more questions? Why do we have to pray at the alter for them to do anything? I'd be unemployable if I had that attitude.

[Chief Grey Bear]

5 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

Hey, some of the stuff that a certain member of OAF has experienced after making a stink about this is enough to make one worry a bit.  But if the agents would be willing to do it, I'd probably go along with it.  Hopefully a locked gate would deter them.

So are you going to wait for them to ask you, or are you going to offer it? 

Game cameras work wonders too. Not in deterring so much, but with prosecution. 

And what is the big secret about what happened to "a certain member"? We haven't been scared to bash giggers until we get a little damage? That sure doesn't seem to jive with the talk we've seen on the subject.

[Al Agnew]

Not my place to tell the stories, Chief.  And keep in mind that I'm not bashing all giggers, or in this case not even all the ones that have stuck bass now and then.  I suspect there is a criminal element out there doing some of this who not only don't care about gigging rules but also don't care about other laws as well.  To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the vast majority of the illegal gigging on the middle Meramec is being done by a very small number of people.  It's just that they are having an impact all out of proportion with their numbers.

I don't (yet) live in Crawford County and don't yet know the agent there.  Yeah, if I get to know him and think he's open to it, I'd make the offer.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I think you are right on that it's probably just one tightnit group doing it. And they are no dummies!

I am glad to hear you are at least going to make contact with the local agent and start a relationship. I think that is very important and establishes credibility. I have done that in the 3 counties I fish the most. 

[mjk86]

This is like the beginnings of an awesome horror flick.....Soon there will be gigged people left at the boat ramps....a violent and marauding gang of out of control game fish giggers gets even in rural missouri.  Legal sportsmen beware!

[Smalliebigs]

18 hours ago, mreed81 said:

Since Smalliebigs became the president lol. He gets away with all sorts of nonsense.

WELL with Phil's new language editor I just assumed it would correct for me as it always does....most of the time. Some words are just a part of my vernacular, most words some would find offensive are just a word to me. If words are offensive to you then censor or delete, it's no biggie to me.