Haven't done any froggin since I moved to Arkansas, but when I lived in Louisiana we used to go all the time. Gigging isn't legal in Louisiana. You have to use a spring loaded grab on the end of a long stick, which by the way doesn't work very well.

We would use a flat bottom boat with a trolling motor, the brightest headlights we could find (the kind you wear on your head), and believe it or not a skulling paddle. You know, the short ones about 2 - 2 1/2 ft long. The flat bottom boat allows you to sit way up front and you can nose it right up to the bank (unlike a canoe). When we found one, we would blind them with the headlight and head the boat straight into the bank at a fairly brisk pace. As soon as you get within range you just swat em a good and hard with that skulling paddle. Flattens em out & knocks them out. We would then put them in a fish basket or a potato sack & tie up the end. After about ten minutes or so, they would come back to as smacking them with the paddle doesn't kill them or damage them in any way....just knocks them out for a while. That way, if you're out all night you don't have to worry about them spoiling.

Many times we would just grab them with one hand. You've got to be quick though, and at least in Louisiana, you got to keep a good eye out for the snakes. Don't want to be grabbing no cotton-mouth.....LOL

Wow....this thread has really brought back some good memories. I'm going to have to get out there and try some Arkansas frog smackin....LOL


firstshot