I have the 2nd and 3rd round of this tournament sitting in my DVR, that I have started watching.  I am currently in round 2, and have a couple questions, that maybe knows the real answer to, maybe you do.

 

As I watch it, and the camera bounces from one boat to another, I notice the referees that do the weighing of each fish either are not allowed to socialize, don't care to, or just straight up are pissy.  Kinda humorous at times.  The angler pulls a fish in, they're talking, and making conversation.  Not sure if it's only for the camera, or if they are talking to the refs. I'm not sure.  But they don't respond at all.

 

One did respond and I think it's cause the dude doesn't like whose boat he's in.  Example: Ike's boat.  Mike caught a fish, a decent sized one, as he's pulling it in, he's getting excited.  He let out a couple higher volume yelps, but nothing stupid crazy.  The fish slips out of his hand and he gets hit with a 2:00 landing penalty.  The ref says "that's what you get for yelling".  Mike is chuckling and enjoying himself, the ref, not so much.  That kinda made me laugh.  It's like where the hell is dudes sense of humor? You don't have to agree with Mike's way of acting, but he certainly wasn't going overboard as he's known to do.

 

So it got me thinking.  Is the ref not allowed to interact?  I realize they're completely neutral in all this, but it's just conversation.

 

I just entered in to the 3rd round episode, and well, Ike just went Ike screaming, and hootin' and holler'n .  (That's besides the point) 

See if this answers your questions:

 

MLF Referees

ya, I'd say that did.

thanks

I actually like the no emotion , impartiality and neutral character of The BPT referees....reminds me of a baseball ump calling strikes behind the plate or a no nonsense tennis line judge ....I think the NFL should note this and remind all of their refs about the importance of being impartial and calling by the book.

All I can say is did you see the monster Hackney caught!! Almost 7 lbs. That's an old northern bass right there.