reading that article about the guy who got caught cheating in poplar bluffs made me really start thinking about how much this goes on.  i mean there are unethical people everywhere and it seems like a lot of them would want the quick bucks and attention that winning a fishing tournament would bring.  at smaller tournaments this seems very difficult to defend against.  

it is hard to believe that someone could live with themselves if they did this sort of thing but we all know that there are plenty of people who seem to have no conscious.  how often do you think this sort of thing goes on?

matt

More than most people realize, unfortunately there are some people in this world who will do anything to win, especailly when money is involved. Look at MLB Baseball and the steroid factor and you will see what I am talking about. Just my opinion.

Tony

I think it is probably more of a problem in small bass clubs that don't do much to prevent it.  And I wouldn't be surprised if it happens at most small tournaments.  I hate to judge people by the way they look, but sometimes it is hard not to, and I hope I am wrong everytime.  But when $500.00 or more is on the line for a day of fishing, you can bet some people are going to cheat.  

Yeah, I agree, anytime money is on the line someone will cheat. In a club I was in a long time ago, we had a team that consisted of 2 brothers.....they were winning every tournament we had. Sure, they were good fisherman but the fish they were weighing were obviously in bad shape and all scarred up. One of the brothers was able to fish pretty much every day and finally one of the other club members busted him putting fish in a basket.

I don't worrie about it that much. I have been fishing tournaments for thirty five years and know most of the people I fish with and trust them. It is usely thr ones that show up out of nowhere and win then you don't see them anymore. :-/

But like I always say, they can't have but five fish.

im just getting interested in tournaments but that is unfortunate.  ive played in poker games outside of casinos for years and it is always a concern (i make my living through poker so it is important to protect myself).  at least there you are at the table and can watch the dealers etc.  being out on a lake is an entirely different ballgame though.  unless the clubs use lie detectors i dont see how they could stop it and i would imagine that a lie detector examination would be too cost prohibitive for a small tournament.  the tournaments i am interested in fishing are small buy in and i just want to fish them for fun so it is not a huge deal but it is still dissapointing to know it is a problem.

jomatty, dont worry so much about the cheating.......just concentrate on putting 5 good 'uns in the boat and see what happens.  

We fished a team tournament in Ohio this year in early spring. 100 boats,$200.00 entry fee. The average fish that were weighed in were 5 bass/ 6lbs total, tops. The winners had 5 bass 18+lbs. They won over $6000.00. I have been fishing Ohio tournaments for over 40 years and unless you are fishing on Lake Erie, which it was not, I have never seen a 5 bass limit of 15lbs let alone 18+. There were two complaints on the winners but nothing ever came of them. We no longer fish that circuit. Cheating definately goes on when money is involved and there is no off limits on the water prior to the tournament.

:'(

well as far as im concerned im going to start fishing the local aba tournaments in north alabama this coming up season. i dont need to cheat to win i know bass the only problem is catching them  ;D naw it isnt a problem  ;D cheaters come and cheaters go but its the real winners who always stay in the game as my ole paw paw used to say.

Having had quite a bit of tournament experience from local to national events, I have seen a fair amount of cheating at all levels. In fact, I'm very hesitant to fish buddy and esp. nighttime buddy events. Althogh only 1% of the entrants may do it, that cheater can completely wreck a circuit. Paul Tormanen did just that in 2005 Heartland Series in Missouri.  He wasn't caught until he was nabbed at a BASS event in Louisiana after he had fleeced Heartland for over $70,000 that same year. His technique was so well planned out that he was able to catch keepers in Pro-Am events that even his co-angler was unaware that these bass were tethered on trotline.  Since I've seen cheating on all levels; it's quite insidious, harmful to the sport, and has made me more suspicious through the years. A few rotten apples can certainly ruin a great competition.

I agree.  Anytime money is envolved you will have cheating.  Pay close attention and do not be afraid to rasie your suspions.  The more people who are watching the better the chances of catching the cheater who should be flogged.

Hey Nick!

Man I remember that whole episode.

Which circuit are you fishing these days?

If I feel uneasy about someone I have no problem fishing the same area all day with him.

We have definantly had problems in the last 2 years on Ky./Barkley.The 2 guys who were caught last year got fellony charges and pretty stiff sentencing.Along with more frequent polographs at charity and team trail events,have cut back on the cheaters for now.

On the other hand,we still have our "cry babies".Since the 2 cheaters were caught,there have been sore losers "cryin' wolf" everytime a big sack is weighed in.This is becoming a problem due to the increasing quality sizes of Ky.Lake's bass.

what do u mean by cheating?

Road Warrior,

I cut back a little this year.  I'm fishing (poorly) the Central Stren Series and a few charity tournaments and the Charger Tournament. I'm not writing or fishing Heartland this year.  

Hey Nick!

I hope you schedule allows you some time to make it to the BassResource.com get-together in March.

Site selection is still up in the air, but there will be plenty of time to make plans.

-Kent  a.k.a. roadwarrior