https://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/bfl-disqualified-103025.html

You would think that by now competitors would learn that there are consequences when you cheat, and would start being ethical and honest.

Wow that’s strange cause that never happens. The most important thing your gonna need to fish tournaments is a Lawer 

It still urks me that they use a totally debunked thing like Polygraphs for this....you can't use them in court cases, how come the tournaments can get away with calling it fair?

If a rule can't be enforced without the use of a polygraph, it shouldn't be a rule.  If I get caught speeding, and an officer shows me the proof from radar, than I should and will pay a fine.  If an officer stops me and says  he thinks I was speeding, and he wants me to take a polygraph to find out, he will see me in court.

On 10/30/2025 at 6:39 PM, MN Fisher said:

It still urks me that they use a totally debunked thing like Polygraphs for this....you can't use them in court cases, how come the tournaments can get away with calling it fair?

I tend to agree with you, but what other means could they use? Other than the anglers self reporting their violation, how could the organization enforce it? If reported by another angler, then it would be a case of "he said and he said". If an official witnessed it that would be another matter.

11 minutes ago, Kirtley Howe said:

If an official witnessed it that would be another matter.

This one's easy. Set up cameras in every boat, plenty of bandwidth now-days to have them all live. Have a team of people monitoring/recording.

I doubt an organization would do that. They would have to buy a bunch of cameras, and pay several people to do nothing but monitor/review them. That mean $$$ that the organization would have to spend. By comparison, a polygraph is pretty cheap, so you know which way the organization will go....

 

I’m curious how “tournament hours”

is defined?   

Personally, I'd say from the time the boat goes in the water until the time it comes out.

Hmm.  If that is the case, it seems to imply those guys made calls/texts from their boat.  I wonder if it was a competitor or a marshal who made the complaint.  In either case, a simple solution would be to prohibit competitors from possessing communication devices during ‘tournament hours’.

But then I wonder what the rules are about making the same type of call or text after hours from a restaurant, motel room or RV. 

15 hours ago, OldManLure said:

I’m curious how “tournament hours”

is defined?   

From take off at “Safe Light” to check in 

which down here is usually 3:00. 

 

(Some local clubs use 2:00 for July and Aug)

 

 

 

Mike