ollie Posted January 27, 2006 Posted January 27, 2006 I for one would like to see tougher smallie regs. Any comments? "you can always beat the keeper, but you can never beat the post" There are only three things in life that are certain : death, taxes, and the wind blowing at Capps Creek!
Wayne SW/MO Posted January 27, 2006 Posted January 27, 2006 I agree, and I would like some tougher regs on giggers. New technology has allowed some to gig illegal fish. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
Members bryantsmallie28 Posted January 31, 2006 Members Posted January 31, 2006 What new technology is this I guess I have never heard of it. I wish there was something that could be done to slow the gigging of illegal fish, but i dont think there is any way to stop it. I really dont konw of anyway to slow it down too much either besides more patrolling of the high traffic areas on the creeks. I dont konw if people really have much of a fear of getting caught. I think a few people getting caught along the creeks by agents with night vision goggles might slow it down some. Just putting the thought of someone watching along the bank without knowing they are their might deter someone.
Fish Bork Posted January 31, 2006 Posted January 31, 2006 A buddy of mine got stopped a few years ago on the James by an agent that was on the bank. Scared the crap out of him thought he was getting jumped by some locals. Yeah not much you can do with only one agent per county. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
SKMO Posted January 31, 2006 Posted January 31, 2006 It is hard to do a lot of enforcment with only one or two Agents/county. I do know for a fact that three guys got caught and ticketed on Flat Creek in Barry County about 10 days ago: had 3 smallmouth among the suckers they had gigged. Best enforcement tool out there is us as sportsman. I know several agents and they all appreciate the help/tips. If you see a violation call your county agent. If you can't get in touch with them you can always call the Operation Game Thief Hotline 1-800-392-1111, manned 24/7 and they will get in touch with the agent or one from an adjoining county if necessary. Of course it helps to get a license number or boat registration and a good description of the violators. If you have a cell phone put the numbers in it. They are spread thin but in this age of cell phones someone may get there quicker than you think if you make the call. SKMO "A True Fisherman with a Rod in His hand, and a Tug on the Line, would not Trade His Position for the Throne of Any King"
Wayne SW/MO Posted January 31, 2006 Posted January 31, 2006 What new technology is this I guess I have never heard of it. I suppose I'm a little older than you are. I remember when giggers used Coleman lanterns to light the river bed. Now they use Halogen lights powered by generators to light the river bed much deeper than in the past. I would think that losing the equipment used for illegal gigging would make many think twice. Giggers are generally on the river when there are rarely observers, and that opens the door for a few to take what they want. I know that there are too many Smallies disappearing when gigging season opens, too many with gig marks, and something needs to be done. The Smallmouth in Missouri is our native stream fish and they are subject to enough environmental problems without adding predation by illegal acts. I could go on, but I'll just say that gigging has changed and much of it isn't good for their sport or for the sport of others. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
Fish Bork Posted January 31, 2006 Posted January 31, 2006 exactly and its also just knowledge of the difference between what a sucker and a smallmouth look like when you are on top of them. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
MoCarp Posted January 31, 2006 Posted January 31, 2006 Gigging rough fish is an old time ozark tradition--but a few bad apples can taint the whole thing its tempting with modern lights/batteries to take those 3lbs + smallies--in waters where trophy possabilies are some better inforcement is needed MO MONKEYS? what monkeys?
Members bryantsmallie28 Posted February 1, 2006 Members Posted February 1, 2006 I wasnt thinking along those lines. I would think that updated equipment like that lighting it up even more would make it easier to not gig bass accidentally. Yeah you are gonna have the people who just do it anyway, they will do it no matter what. If you take away the new technology and make them gig with dimmer lights you are gonna have more bass killing on accident. By halogen lights are you just talking about the ol square shop lights that have been around for a while, and most everyone has. Because i know around my area the newest thing that lights it up even more are the gym lights that you have to have the ballasts for. They are more expensive, but you only need like two and they light it up more than anything i have ever seen. You can see like the whole creek bank to bank in most spots.
ollie Posted February 1, 2006 Author Posted February 1, 2006 I have to agree with SKMO on the part of us sportsman being the eyes and glad to see those guys get a ticket! See, I don't have a problem with people who gig leagally, but those who take no matter what should be condemned. I also realize that our county agents are spread thin, so what else can we do? Lets hear some more thoughts. Like Wayne said, "this is our native stream fish" and we need to protect them as best as we can. "you can always beat the keeper, but you can never beat the post" There are only three things in life that are certain : death, taxes, and the wind blowing at Capps Creek!
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