Gigging

A successful gigger in the Amazon basin, Peru.

Gigging is the practice of hunting fish or small game with a gig or similar multi-pronged spear. Commonly harvested wildlife include freshwater suckers, saltwater flounder, and small game, such as frogs. 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 ft (2.4 to 4.3 m) for fish gigs and 5 to 8 ft (1.5 to 2.4 m) 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. In the past people would attach illuminated pine knots to the end of gigs at night to give them light.[1]

  1. ^ Randolph, Vance; Nancy Clemens (December 1936). "A Fifth Ozark Word List". American Speech. 11 (4): 314–318. doi:10.2307/451192. JSTOR 451192.