Frog gigging, who does it.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Frog gigging, who does it. (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 3/1/2013 4:31:23 AM EST

Around here in the summer it can get pretty boring in the woods, the only thing open is red squirrel.

Frogs though are open all summer and you can shoot them during the day, but not at night. We used to go out with a canoe and a bb gun and pop them.

I was considering making a frog gig though and going out at night with a headlamp some time. I have never tried it and it seems like a new type of challenge, can it be done from shore, or do you need a boat?

I all have is a kayak so I feel like doing it at night would be tricky trying to paddle and spear.

Posted: 3/1/2013 4:43:30 AM EST

[#1]

I would think a sit-on type kayak would be best. That way you could paddle around and then easily hop off and wade once you got close to the frog. I suppose you could do the same thing with a canoe.

Posted: 3/1/2013 4:45:41 AM EST

[#2]

WUT???

Posted: 3/1/2013 4:45:43 AM EST

[#3]

Spent many nights as a kid gigging frogs. We never used a boat. Just walked along the shore of the lake or pond.
Taking turns shooting them w/.22 shorts while my buddy held a light on them was the most fun.

Posted: 3/1/2013 4:46:37 AM EST

[#4]

I did it, as a kid during my misspent Florida youth. We fried the legs of big bulls a few times but I never acquired a taste. Otherwise we would cut the frogs up and use the chunks as bait for Gar. It was something to do in an age before the Internet and while we were still too young and innocent to drink beer, drive or chase girls

ETA: Method - At that time we would buy the gig from a hardware store and add our own staff. We would gig at night from the bank of a suitable pond filled with frogs. We could never figure out if shining a light on the water hurt or helped our efforts. Other than that, follow your primeval instincts.

Posted: 3/1/2013 4:48:59 AM EST

[#5]

I do.

Posted: 3/1/2013 4:49:37 AM EST

[#6]

Posted: 3/1/2013 4:51:16 AM EST

[#7]

Quoted:
I would think a sit-on type kayak would be best. That way you could paddle around and then easily hop off and wade once you got close to the frog. I suppose you could do the same thing with a canoe.

I have a sit on top, already proven to be a good choice.

I've rolled in the river twice, flip it back over and hop back on.

Posted: 3/1/2013 4:54:43 AM EST

[#8]

I used to do it from an airboat, at night, preferably while drinking ice cold beer. We used aircraft landing lights on our heads, attached to a car battery. We had gigs which were about 15-20 feet long, and just idled around in good spots and grabbed them one after the other. Then you put them in a potato sack.

The best part is cleaning them. You cut their legs off from the rest of the body, which leaves the head with two little arms. Because of the nerves the arms start trying to hop. After about 20 or 30, it looks like a horde of legless zombie frogs wandering all over the place. Good memories.

Posted: 3/1/2013 4:57:47 AM EST

[#9]

When I was a kid we took a long stick, put some line on it with a hook. On the hook we would put a red petal from a flower and sat on the bank of the Danub, Hungary.

If you wiggled the petal in front of the frog it would jump on the hook.

Posted: 3/1/2013 5:12:52 AM EST

[#10]

Quoted:
I used to do it from an airboat, at night, preferably while drinking ice cold beer. We used aircraft landing lights on our heads, attached to a car battery. We had gigs which were about 15-20 feet long, and just idled around in good spots and grabbed them one after the other. Then you put them in a potato sack.

The best part is cleaning them. You cut their legs off from the rest of the body, which leaves the head with two little arms. Because of the nerves the arms start trying to hop. After about 20 or 30, it looks like a horde of legless zombie frogs wandering all over the place. Good memories.

they will stay alive for quite awhile.... usually making back down to the water ....lol

boat is best ...the sit facing the water ....shine light.....you will see two tiny reflections ........keep the light on them to blind them ..... gig away .... be quiet ... works that way with flounder in coastal areas too

Posted: 3/1/2013 5:19:55 AM EST

[#11]

When I was a kid we used to use a fishing pole, barbless hook and a piece of red cloth..Frogs couldn't resist. It appears this is an illegal method in MI now. We also used BB guns, that may also be an illegal method now. We also used frog spears.

Posted: 3/1/2013 5:20:12 AM EST

[#12]

Posted: 3/1/2013 6:19:13 AM EST

[#13]

Used to do a fair amount of frogging with my brothers and Dad here in South Louisiana. Not hard to do here, lots of ditches, rice fields, bayous and swamps.

Used to be, you couldn't even break the skin to catch frogs, you had to use a mechanical frog catcher, which was basically a specialized set of tongs on a long pole. The rules have since been relaxed and you can use the common gig to spear them. Still no firearms can be used.

As a matter of fact, you cannot even have a firearm with you while frogging. I always thought that was pretty dumb. The season is closed in April and May here, but open the rest of the time. If frogging in the summer, you are bound to come up on a snake or two.

But we had lots of fun frogging, there are some huge ones out here. I still see people out frogging occasionally in the fields across from my home. Hell, I might have to go do it myself, this thread is making me hungry for some frog legs.

LC

Posted: 3/1/2013 6:29:09 AM EST

[#14]

Quoted:
When I was a kid we used to use a fishing pole, barbless hook and a piece of red cloth..Frogs couldn't resist. It appears this is an illegal method in MI now. We also used BB guns, that may also be an illegal method now. We also used frog spears.

I hooked one by accident while bass fishing one time. The cast went long and my Hula Popper landed on the bank next to a good sized bullfrog He was all over it in an instant; what a ride! LOL

Posted: 3/1/2013 6:36:58 AM EST

[#15]

I am a master gigger. 3 buddies, a pickup, a spotlight, and miles of canals.

Posted: 3/1/2013 6:49:43 AM EST

[#16]

Quoted:
Used to do a fair amount of frogging with my brothers and Dad here in South Louisiana. Not hard to do here, lots of ditches, rice fields, bayous and swamps.

Used to be, you couldn't even break the skin to catch frogs, you had to use a mechanical frog catcher, which was basically a specialized set of tongs on a long pole. The rules have since been relaxed and you can use the common gig to spear them. Still no firearms can be used.

As a matter of fact, you cannot even have a firearm with you while frogging. I always thought that was pretty dumb. The season is closed in April and May here, but open the rest of the time. If frogging in the summer, you are bound to come up on a snake or two.

But we had lots of fun frogging, there are some huge ones out here. I still see people out frogging occasionally in the fields across from my home. Hell, I might have to go do it myself, this thread is making me hungry for some frog legs.

LC

I find that odd. We typically have the worst rules in the country and you can use a firearm to blast frogs and snapping turtles, god forbid we use lead shot on ducks though......

Posted: 3/1/2013 7:17:43 AM EST

[#17]

I have zero idea of legality, but as kids, a johnboat, a flashlight, and a BB gun got a lot of frogs. Likewise, .22 with ratshot. .44mag is good for laughs and mud all over the place.

Slingshots are awesome.

It ain't easy being green...

Posted: 3/1/2013 7:18:58 AM EST

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:
When I was a kid we used to use a fishing pole, barbless hook and a piece of red cloth..Frogs couldn't resist. It appears this is an illegal method in MI now. We also used BB guns, that may also be an illegal method now. We also used frog spears.

I hooked one by accident while bass fishing one time. The cast went long and my Hula Popper landed on the bank next to a good sized bullfrog He was all over it in an instant; what a ride! LOL

Hula poppers, jitterbugs, and lucky-13s FTW

Posted: 3/4/2013 7:29:28 AM EST

[#19]

We use .22's

Posted: 3/4/2013 7:32:18 AM EST

[#20]

I did for years, but now we have three great blue herons fighting over every puddle of water, so we don't have enough frogs to make a mess. Federal law makes it less of a penalty to shoot a people than a heron. I've heard they taste like spotted owl though.

Posted: 3/4/2013 7:36:32 AM EST

[#21]

Don't need a boat, just a light and a gig.

Posted: 3/4/2013 7:41:05 AM EST

[#22]

Never done it.

Gig 'em,
Vault_Boy

Posted: 3/4/2013 7:41:15 AM EST

[#23]

This guy does in the summer, family loves frog legs.

Posted: 3/4/2013 7:43:35 AM EST

[#24]

Growing up on a farm is like winning the lotto. Recurves and wooden arrows make a serious sport out of catching frog. Was fun till my dad shot two frogs in a crappy pond and had me swim out to get them. Always shoot near the bank.

Posted: 3/4/2013 7:44:22 AM EST

[#25]

Quoted:
Don't need a boat, just a light and a gig.

They can just as easily be caught by hand when you blind them. Just take it slow.

Posted: 3/4/2013 7:51:04 AM EST

[#26]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Don't need a boat, just a light and a gig.

They can just as easily be caught by hand when you blind them. Just take it slow.

They key is to approach from the water side. That's why the herons are so effective at wiping them out.

Posted: 3/4/2013 7:53:06 AM EST

[#27]

I hate frogs. Kill 'em all!

Posted: 3/4/2013 8:06:12 AM EST

[#28]

Quoted:
I did for years, but now we have three great blue herons fighting over every puddle of water, so we don't have enough frogs to make a mess. Federal law makes it less of a penalty to shoot a people than a heron. I've heard they taste like spotted owl though.

I've always described them as a cross between a bald eagle and a whooping crane.

Posted: 3/4/2013 8:07:55 AM EST

[#29]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I did for years, but now we have three great blue herons fighting over every puddle of water, so we don't have enough frogs to make a mess. Federal law makes it less of a penalty to shoot a people than a heron. I've heard they taste like spotted owl though.

I've always described them as a cross between a bald eagle and a whooping crane.

Whooping crane is tough and stringy.

*I've heard.

Posted: 3/4/2013 8:15:36 AM EST

[#30]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I did for years, but now we have three great blue herons fighting over every puddle of water, so we don't have enough frogs to make a mess. Federal law makes it less of a penalty to shoot a people than a heron. I've heard they taste like spotted owl though.

I've always described them as a cross between a bald eagle and a whooping crane.

Whooping crane is tough and stringy.

*I've heard.

You obviously were never taught to castrate them first and then to keep them in captivity on a diet of sunflower seeds for a minimum of 2 months. Makes the meat just melt off the bones.

Posted: 3/4/2013 8:18:08 AM EST

[#31]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I did for years, but now we have three great blue herons fighting over every puddle of water, so we don't have enough frogs to make a mess. Federal law makes it less of a penalty to shoot a people than a heron. I've heard they taste like spotted owl though.

I've always described them as a cross between a bald eagle and a whooping crane.

Whooping crane is tough and stringy.
*I've heard.

You obviously were never taught to castrate them first and then to keep them in captivity on a diet of sunflower seeds for a minimum of 2 months. Makes the meat just melt off the bones.

Well crap--you're right. I keep snapping turtles in a garbage can for a week or so to "clean" them, but I never thought of handling WCs that way. Thanks!

Posted: 3/4/2013 8:25:31 AM EST

[#32]

No.. However flounder gigging looks like allot of fun

Posted: 3/4/2013 8:39:54 AM EST

[#33]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I did for years, but now we have three great blue herons fighting over every puddle of water, so we don't have enough frogs to make a mess. Federal law makes it less of a penalty to shoot a people than a heron. I've heard they taste like spotted owl though.

I've always described them as a cross between a bald eagle and a whooping crane.

Whooping crane is tough and stringy.

*I've heard.

You obviously were never taught to castrate them first and then to keep them in captivity on a diet of sunflower seeds for a minimum of 2 months. Makes the meat just melt off the bones.

That only works for Great Blue Herons.

Posted: 3/4/2013 9:54:33 AM EST

[#34]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I did for years, but now we have three great blue herons fighting over every puddle of water, so we don't have enough frogs to make a mess. Federal law makes it less of a penalty to shoot a people than a heron. I've heard they taste like spotted owl though.

I've always described them as a cross between a bald eagle and a whooping crane.

Whooping crane is tough and stringy.

*I've heard.

You obviously were never taught to castrate them first and then to keep them in captivity on a diet of sunflower seeds for a minimum of 2 months. Makes the meat just melt off the bones.

That only works for Great Blue Herons.

Are you serious. You know they are endangered, right?

Posted: 3/4/2013 9:59:15 AM EST

[#35]

Did a few times in my teens. Light, bag, and gig and walk along the edge of the water. I've wanted to do it again but have never got around to it. I like the nighttime stuff. I would love to go coon hunting again as well.

Posted: 3/4/2013 10:03:01 AM EST

[#36]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I did for years, but now we have three great blue herons fighting over every puddle of water, so we don't have enough frogs to make a mess. Federal law makes it less of a penalty to shoot a people than a heron. I've heard they taste like spotted owl though.

I've always described them as a cross between a bald eagle and a whooping crane.

Whooping crane is tough and stringy.

*I've heard.

You obviously were never taught to castrate them first and then to keep them in captivity on a diet of sunflower seeds for a minimum of 2 months. Makes the meat just melt off the bones.

That only works for Great Blue Herons.

Are you serious. You know they are endangered, right?

Posted: 3/4/2013 10:04:06 AM EST

[#37]

Quoted:
I hate frogs. Kill 'em all!

Fellow Floridian,

Frogs eat mosquito's and spiders.

Frogs are good.

Yes I've killed and eaten frogs. But no more.

Posted: 3/4/2013 10:09:56 AM EST

[#38]

I've gigged and/or shot a few frogs in my life. They're easy to clean, but the hassle isn't worth it anymore.

Posted: 3/4/2013 10:31:03 AM EST

[#39]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I did for years, but now we have three great blue herons fighting over every puddle of water, so we don't have enough frogs to make a mess. Federal law makes it less of a penalty to shoot a people than a heron. I've heard they taste like spotted owl though.

I've always described them as a cross between a bald eagle and a whooping crane.

Whooping crane is tough and stringy.

*I've heard.

You obviously were never taught to castrate them first and then to keep them in captivity on a diet of sunflower seeds for a minimum of 2 months. Makes the meat just melt off the bones.

That only works for Great Blue Herons.

Are you serious. You know they are endangered, right?

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm152/GuitarDude215/thats_the_joke.jpg

Posted: 3/4/2013 11:09:59 AM EST

[#40]

What some call "endangered", I call "delicious".

Posted: 3/4/2013 11:50:18 AM EST

[#41]

Quoted:
What some call "endangered", I call "delicious".

Heck yeah--if they tasted bad no one would eat them, therefore they wouldn't be endangered.

Posted: 3/4/2013 11:52:22 AM EST

[#42]

They just drive along the ditches at night with a spotlight here.

Posted: 3/4/2013 12:04:17 PM EST

[#43]

Gigged and ate a bunch when I was in High School. Have no place to these days, so now I just order them from menus on occasion. They are yummy

Posted: 3/4/2013 12:11:30 PM EST

[#44]

I haven't gigged in years but we always did it from a small Jon boat with a trolling motor. We would hit 15-20 small lakes and farm ponds a night. Shine a spotlight in their eyes and ease up in the boat with the gig. Fun times.

Posted: 3/4/2013 12:27:13 PM EST

[#45]

Quoted:

Around here in the summer it can get pretty boring in the woods, the only thing open is red squirrel.

Frogs though are open all summer and you can shoot them during the day, but not at night. We used to go out with a canoe and a bb gun and pop them.

I was considering making a frog gig though and going out at night with a headlamp some time. I have never tried it and it seems like a new type of challenge, can it be done from shore, or do you need a boat?

I all have is a kayak so I feel like doing it at night would be tricky trying to paddle and spear.

You are going to have a hard time gigging out of a kayak. We used to go gigging all the time in Arizona. Wade in the still waters, you ain't getting shit off the bank as they will usually face the water and you have to keep the light in their eyes or they will jump. Keep to spots where you know the water depth is safe and use the buddy system, many people drown in water less then 2 feet deep.

Also every other last type of wildlife will be near the water at night, especially snakes. In Arizona all the baby rattlers would sit by the water waiting for dinner to come by, and keeping from being eaten by the huge King snakes. Skunks were really common so be warned.

For a gig you want a straight pole around 8 to 10 feet long, buy a gig head with 4 or 5 spines. I saw some round ones that were really expensive last time I looked but I would go the cheap route to start.

When you get some froggys you need a spot to clean them. a stump about waiste high or a 4x4 pole set into the ground. Use an awl to pin the frog to the top of the post and then cut the skin around 2/3s up the belly. Grab the skin with pliers or teeth or whatever and yank it down to the feet. Snip off the feet, then cut off the backend and clean guts out. Salt, pepper, roll in cornmeal and fry them up. Hint the smaller ones are best, the huge ones are chewy and not as good.

Story: Where we used to camp while hunting dove and quail near Buckeye we would hear frogs croaking at night, after several years one night we decided to go gig a few. My Uncle Floyd and I stayed together and went upstream on the Hassyampa river which is about 15 feet wide and shallow normally. As it turned out we got two frogs, both monsters weighing around 2 lbs for the small one and 3lbs for the larger. I literally had buck or frog in this case fever as I was shaking as I snuck up on the huge frog and pronged him, he sat at least 8 or 9 inches high and looked even bigger in the 6volt lantern light. We were amazed at the size of them and sad that we had harvested what was likely the only two frogs in the area and we never hunted them again there.

Posted: 3/4/2013 12:28:48 PM EST

[#46]

Gotta use a flat bottom and some paddles

I go gigging all the time.

Posted: 3/4/2013 12:34:10 PM EST

[#47]

We used to go all the time, frogs were always everywhere in the spring and summer here along the canals and ditches. Alligators had thinned them out pretty good, but the population is starting to grow again. Here are some that my me, my brother, and cousin caught last spring. We were over at a friends place who had fields flooded up for crawfish season. Damn things were everywhere! We missed as many as we caught.

Posted: 3/4/2013 12:45:52 PM EST

[#48]

Quoted:
No.. However flounder gigging looks like allot of fun

It's alot of fun too, especially gigging the big ones.

What's not fun is gigging what you think is a flounder to only find out it's the head of an alligator that's burried itself in the sand.......it's really hard to run in waste deep water

Posted: 3/4/2013 12:47:43 PM EST

[#49]

Quoted:
We used to go all the time, frogs were always everywhere in the spring and summer here along the canals and ditches. Alligators had thinned them out pretty good, but the population is starting to grow again. Here are some that my me, my brother, and cousin caught last spring. We were over at a friends place who had fields flooded up for crawfish season. Damn things were everywhere! We missed as many as we caught.

http://www.f150online.com/forums/members/jdeere7296-albums-misc-picture190120-frogs.jpg

That's a good haul for sure.