Angler: NC boat stripped of $900,000 in winnings


Angler: NC boat stripped of $900,000 in winnings
MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. The lack of a fishing license for one crew member may have cost a boat more than $900,000 in prize money in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in North Carolina.

The Daily News of Jacksonville reported that Andy Thomossan, the fisherman who caught a record-setting 883-pound blue marlin June 14, said tournament officials stripped the Hatteras-based boat Citation of the title and the $912,825 from the total $1.66 million purse.

"No record. No money. No fish. No nothing," Thomossan said, adding the rules violation was that one of the crew didn't have the required fishing license.

One of the boat's owners, Michael Topp, said the lack of a license for a "for-hire" mate was discovered during a lie detector test. The tournament requires the test for the top money winners, including the captain, mate and angler as well as "others as deemed necessary."

A recreational fishing license costs $15 annually for North Carolina residents 16 and older or $30 for nonresidents, according to the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources website. A 10-day license can also be purchased for $5 for state residents 16 and older or $10 for nonresidents.

Also, fishing boat owners can purchase a block of 10 10-day fishing licenses for $150.

The tournament said Sunday its board was withholding presentation of the prize money until it could research a possible rules violation. Tournament director Crystal Watters said Big Rock officials would have further comment Monday after the board meets.

The runner-up boat that would be the winner was Carnivore, which is captained by Ed Petrilli of Cape Carteret. Angler John Parks of Jacksonville caught a 528.3-pound blue marlin Wednesday.

Information from: The Daily News, Jacksonville Daily News (http://www.jdnews.com)

double ouch

Sooooo... exactly how scewed up is THIS tournamant when a mate on the boat didn't have the required license (first red flag), there was no mention of whether or not the captain even bothered to CHECK if he had one (second red flag) and the tournament REQUIRES a lie detector test for ALL prize winners (third red flag)?:smash:

That reminds me of an incident a few years back with an east/west coast shark tournament, where the prize winning boat cut up their "tournament-legal" shark before anyone could contest that it wasn't legal size, thus allowing them to claim their prize. :cens:
The on-board cameraman couldn't confirm the size of the fish because his view was blocked by the fishermen (all of them). :rolleyes:

If you HAVE to have a lie detector test for ANY tournament, then it's not worth it. When you put that high a price tag on a game fish, every low-life dirtbag will come out of the woodwork for a chance to make a easy payday.:huh:

I guess honesty,virtue and pride are thrown away when money is put on the table? :hs:

Lie detectors should be for every and any tournament.If you ran a tournament that does not require such you are inviting deceit.Anyone know where Corsetti went?

Lie detectors should be for every and any tournament.If you ran a tournament that does not require such you are inviting deceit.Anyone know where Corsetti went?

Oooh,snap!:rotf2:

I wouldn't enter any big money contest that didn't have a lie detector test. Big entry fees and other costs, and I would want to be sure that no cheating was going on. Entering a tourney like the Big Rock costs well over $10,000.

ouch is right!