seth07,

The way we do it is just start going to ponds we have permission to gig in and listen for the bulls. If we hear them we gig two different ways, if it's a clean bank we walk the bank, best with a friend, one does the gigging and the other shines the light. We use handheld flashlights and the type you can wear on your head.

The best way, is to gig from a jon boat or canoe. If we are using a jon boat we sometimes us a trolling motor. If canoe, we just paddle and move quiet without bumping the canoe with the paddle.

We have the best luck giging from a boat/canoe. What we have learned is, when walking the bank, the frogs siting on the bank can feel the vibrations or hear us, a lot jump in the water. I believe when doing it from some type of boat, they hold tight longer. Probably because they know the danger is in the water and sit tight longer.

As for as checking ponds at night, we listen for frogs croaking at night and drive in that direction til we fiqure out where they are at. You'll be surprised at how far away you can hear the frogs if it's a still and quiet night. If we have never giged that pond, we go back the next day and ask for permission. Never had much problem geting permission to do it.

We use 3 and 4 prong gigs on telescoping poles. Have used homemade poles over the years, but the metal telescoping ones are lighter and easier to store when not in use.

One other thing we take with us, is a fish basket, the type with a spring loaded top to put the frogs in. If we're walking a bank, we use a fish stringer, the type with a ring on one end and a sharp metal point on the other end. We just push the sharp end thru the frogs bottom jaw and thru the ring and carry them like you would a string of fish. Carry plenty of mosquito repellant, and watch for snakes.

It's a blast, particularly when you have a couple of buddies along.

Hope this helped some.

dog1