Frog Gigging ... Really.

Frog gigging is not popular outside the South of the US, nor is it well known. I had never seen it in action till I watched a show called Swamp People. My curiosity was piqued to say the least.

In the South and in olden times (or so I am told ... ) when night blanketed the land, hearty and stout outdoors men went out into the darkness and hunted .. frogs, while tackling those pesky 'bumps in the dark'.

Your boat slips silently along the still waters, bright yellow eyes mesmerized ... 24 inches ... 18 inches... 15 inches ... 10 inches ... jab quickly with your multi pronged pole, spearing the animal, winning the hunt, this time. Other frogs have outsmarted you and sent you scrambling through mud and swamps.

A gig refers to any long pole which has been tipped with a multi-prong spear. Pole length ranges from 5ft to 8ft for frogs, though some advocate even longer poles. Frogs are not the only animal hunted with gigs, you can also catch fish such as sucker or saltwater flouder, though the prongs are different for frogs and fish.

The multi-prong tip preferred for frogs normally have 4-5 tines, the gig overall is smaller than fishing gigs and are wider spaced while being smaller. This wider spacing offers more opportunity to miss your strike and watch your dinner hop away.

The handles used are varied from your spouses broom handle to materials such as fiberglass, bamboo, pine dowels and aluminum are all options and readily available.

So you are armed. Now you need a strong light. Most often a 12V spotlight is used to stun and mesmerize the frog allowing you to get within striking range. Put your light on a headband or a hat and keep both hands free.

The night is done and you have lots of frogs. The old school way of keeping them fresh and easily transported is in old potato or grass sacks soaked down, moisture keeps the frogs fresh. A few giggers use metal stringers, some states have specifics as to how to keep or transport your catch, check with them, as you may also need a license.

If the idea of spearing a frog turns your stomach ... you might like catching and releasing, simply enjoying the challenge of the frog hunt. Maybe you would rather catch them like you would a fish with a hook and line.

To catch frogs with line and hook you need a light rod of 9ft to 12ft with 6ft to 8ft of line and some bait. Surprisingly, old bits of red flannel shirts or yarn seems to incite a immediate reaction and quick capture, if you can get close enough to drop it in front of its face.

You knew there had to be a trick.