It's Fish Gigging Season, Y'all!
While a good majority of hunters are sneaking to the woods in hopes of seeing a trophy buck in their crosshairs, we're feeling another kind of draw to nature... It's fish gigging season, y'all! Yep, you heard right! Gigging! When the weather gets too cold to enjoy splashing around in the rivers or lakes, but we're just not ready to give up on boating, it's time to break out the old jon boat and hit up the shallows for some REAL sport fishing! Have you never been? Well, that's okay! We're all new to something at some point in our lives. If you're interested in learning about fish gigging, Firstmate Controls has some great information to get you started!
What is Fish Gigging?
Gigging is a centuries old tradition that began as a necessity that consists of spearing fish rather than catching them with a hook and line. As the culture and economy of the Ozarks changed, gigging began shifting toward sport. It became a social event and recreation for Ozark families. For local communities, it provided an opportunity to pause and spend quality time with family and friends. Opening night of gigging season was a major event. Families would show up at boat ramps throughout the Ozarks to gig, fry fish, and socialize. A distinctive sport was born that begins with a cold night on the river and ends with a hot, shared meal.
It is primarily a nighttime activity and is most effective in shallow, clear water. Fish harvested by gigging are known generally as “non-game” fish, such as suckers, gar, and bullhead. The gigger usually stands at the bow of a flat-bottomed boat outfitted with a bright light and a rail to lean upon. They hold their fork-tipped spear over the surface of the rushing water, scanning for fish. Once a non-game fish is spotted, they try to gig it with their spear. With the boat being in motion, the only light available coming from the lights shining from your lamps, and the temperatures being a little less than favorable for comfort, it can be a challenge!
Fish Gigging Basics
In the state of Missouri, there are regulations for fish gigging. You can't just go out and start gigging any fish you see whenever want. That'll get you a fine really fast! In Missouri, fish gigging season is typically from September 15 - January 31. Game fish are off limits. The daily limit allotted is 20 non game species taken by gig. The possession limit is 40, except on the Mississippi River - which has a daily and possession limit of 100. What that means is that you can't legally have more than 40 non-game fish in your possession at a given time (even in your freezer). So if you plan to make a weekend out of gigging, you'll want to be particular about the fish you go after!
It's also important to check with your local conservation department for any regulations for specific species - for example, on the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. At the Lake of the Ozarks, gigging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish. Each body of water may have slight differences in their regulations, so before heading out, it's best to make sure you know what the rules are. And remember, game fish are OFF LIMITS!
Enjoying your Catch
Prepping and cooking your catch is almost as enjoyable as catching them! Part of experiencing this primitive type of fishing is getting to gather together with friends and family for a celebratory fish fry to enjoy the fresh catches of your adventure. From scaling and cleaning, to battering and frying, to taking that first bite of your hard earned meal - it all tastes so much more satisfying knowing that you put in the work to catch and cook those fish! Job well done!
So get your boat out this fine October day, and try your hand at gigging! Who knows? You may be a natural! Make your gigging experience a breeze by getting a Firstmate boat lift remote control system installed on your lift. Not only will our marine electronic equipment make docking and launching easier, but it'll also help to make loading and unloading your gigging equipment easier and faster!
Firstmate Controls
What is Fish Gigging?
Gigging is a centuries old tradition that began as a necessity that consists of spearing fish rather than catching them with a hook and line. As the culture and economy of the Ozarks changed, gigging began shifting toward sport. It became a social event and recreation for Ozark families. For local communities, it provided an opportunity to pause and spend quality time with family and friends. Opening night of gigging season was a major event. Families would show up at boat ramps throughout the Ozarks to gig, fry fish, and socialize. A distinctive sport was born that begins with a cold night on the river and ends with a hot, shared meal.
It is primarily a nighttime activity and is most effective in shallow, clear water. Fish harvested by gigging are known generally as “non-game” fish, such as suckers, gar, and bullhead. The gigger usually stands at the bow of a flat-bottomed boat outfitted with a bright light and a rail to lean upon. They hold their fork-tipped spear over the surface of the rushing water, scanning for fish. Once a non-game fish is spotted, they try to gig it with their spear. With the boat being in motion, the only light available coming from the lights shining from your lamps, and the temperatures being a little less than favorable for comfort, it can be a challenge!
Fish Gigging Basics
In the state of Missouri, there are regulations for fish gigging. You can't just go out and start gigging any fish you see whenever want. That'll get you a fine really fast! In Missouri, fish gigging season is typically from September 15 - January 31. Game fish are off limits. The daily limit allotted is 20 non game species taken by gig. The possession limit is 40, except on the Mississippi River - which has a daily and possession limit of 100. What that means is that you can't legally have more than 40 non-game fish in your possession at a given time (even in your freezer). So if you plan to make a weekend out of gigging, you'll want to be particular about the fish you go after!
It's also important to check with your local conservation department for any regulations for specific species - for example, on the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. At the Lake of the Ozarks, gigging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish. Each body of water may have slight differences in their regulations, so before heading out, it's best to make sure you know what the rules are. And remember, game fish are OFF LIMITS!
Enjoying your Catch
Prepping and cooking your catch is almost as enjoyable as catching them! Part of experiencing this primitive type of fishing is getting to gather together with friends and family for a celebratory fish fry to enjoy the fresh catches of your adventure. From scaling and cleaning, to battering and frying, to taking that first bite of your hard earned meal - it all tastes so much more satisfying knowing that you put in the work to catch and cook those fish! Job well done!So get your boat out this fine October day, and try your hand at gigging! Who knows? You may be a natural! Make your gigging experience a breeze by getting a Firstmate boat lift remote control system installed on your lift. Not only will our marine electronic equipment make docking and launching easier, but it'll also help to make loading and unloading your gigging equipment easier and faster!
Contact Firstmate Controls TODAY to get your boat lift remote control system ordered.
Boat Lift Controls You Can Count On!
Firstmate Controls
130 Century Commerce Loop
Labadie, MO 63055
Phone: (866) 570-9707
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