- This article refers to hunting. For other uses of the word, see Gig
Gigging, not to be confused with jigging, is an American South and Midwest practice of hunting suckers, flounder or frogs with a gig, or similar multi-pronged spear. A gig can refer to any long pole which has been tipped with a multi-pronged spear. The gig pole ranges in length from 8 to 14 feet for fish gigs and 5 to 8 feet for frog gigs. A gig typically has three or four barbed tines similar to a trident; however gigs can be made with any number of tines.
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Sucker gigging
Suckers are a bottom-feeding fish common across throughout many parts of the US. The gigging of suckers for food occurs predominately in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Sucker gigging is usually done at night with lights to maximize the visibility of the fast moving fish. Ozarks residents of the past often waded the clear local streams at night and gigged suckers while using light from hand-held lanterns.[1] Modern sucker gigging uses specially constructed jon boats that have a set of lights mounted on the bow of the boat and a railing around the bow that allows the "gigger" to stand up and peer out in front of the boat in an attempt to locate and gig fish.[2] The lighting system is often powered by gas, a generator, or a battery.
Species such as Catostomus commersonii and Hypentelium nigricans are commonly sought for eating. They can be canned or smoked, but the most common method is fried. Traditionally, small incisions are made in the flesh (termed "scoring") before frying to allow small internal bones to soften and become palatable.[3]
Flounder gigging
Flounder or flatfish live in coastal saltwater areas, and lie at the bottom of the shallow waters waiting for shrimp or minnows to swim nearby. Flounder gigging can be done in daylight, but is often more successful done at night using powerful lights. This method targets nocturnally foraging fish. The light is used to spot the normally camouflaged fish. Traditionally hollow bamboo poles filled with coal were used for lighting, though modern lights usually use kerosene lamps. This method is effective in shallow, clear water where fish are easily observable from the top. The temporarily blind fish are speared with the gig, or sometimes can be collected by hand. During fishing events, an experienced person holds a kerosene lamp in the hand and points out fish for other people to collect.
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Flounder boat |
Flounder gigging can be done by wading stealthily in shallow water, but it is usually done from a flounder boat. A flounder boat is specifically designed for gigging flounder. It typically has a flat, wide bottom to provide a stable platform and the ability to negotiate shallow waters. Flounder vessels are navigated with a push-pole along the banks and flats where flounder may be lying. An electical generator powers light arrays for viewing the flat fish.
Frog gigging
Frog gigging is commonly done at night, however it can be done during the day. Traditionally, flashlights or spotlights are used to locate the frogs as their eyes reflect the light at night. In addition to help the locating of frogs, shining a light in their eyes stuns or daze the frogs, and makes it less likely for the frog to see an approaching hunter, or the incoming gig itself. A four or five-tined gig is often preferred for frog gigging, as they are normally wider giving the frog gigger more room for error when thrusting the gig at a frog. Frog gigs however, traditionally have smaller tines and are generally smaller overall than gigs used for fish. A fishing license is required in most states and jurisdictions.[4] Frog gigging regulations are usually found in each state's hunting and fishing regulations.
Frogs are often sought for the meat that resides on their hind legs. Frog legs are often cooked deep fried or sautéed.[5] The hind legs can contain as much meat as the legs of a medium-sized chicken. Traditionally they are breaded with a mixture of egg and bread or cracker crumbs. Frog legs, often imported from Asia, are available at many restaurants or stores, particularly in the Southern United States.
Although capturing frogs with a net or clasp pole may be referred to as frog gigging by some, this is incorrect, as a gig is not being used. Handling frogs with the objective of releasing them may harm the creature because chemicals can easily be absorbed through their skin.
Other Gigging
Gigs may also be used to harvest a large variety of other non-game fish species. This practice is common on the upper-middle Brazos River in central Texas, where gigs typically have five reinforced tines and are used for species such as bigmouth buffalo, smallmouth buffalo, and several species of carp, suckers, and gar. Catfish gigging is also sometimes practiced, although it is illegal.
See also
Notes
- ^ http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2002/12/10.htm
- ^ http://www.nighthawkpublications.com/journal/journal170-1.htm
- ^ http://www.nighthawkpublications.com/journal/journal170-4.htm
- ^ Amphibians: Laws by States and Canadian Provinces
- ^ Frog Legs Recipes
References
- Jacobs, Kevin (2002) Flounder gigging basics
- Brooks, Ron Night Flounder Gigging
- Thompson, Mike Mobile Bay's Midnight Raiders
- "Appendix B Control: Laws by States and Canadian Provinces". The National Academies Press. http://newton.nap.edu/html/amphibian/appb.html. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
- James, Clementine (12 November 2001). "The Joys of Frog Gigging" ([dead link]). The Dartmouth Review. http://www.dartreview.com/issues/11.12.01/gigging.html. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
- Link, Russell. "Frogs". Living with Wildlife. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/frogs.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
External links
- "Frog Legs Recipes". cdKitchen. http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/650/0.shtml. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
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