FLW Saltwater Striper Trail part 2

[Team Rock On]

Here's a rumor from the ASA website....
"One bad incident happened in this event that had the docks buzzing. An ASA team from New Jersey was removed from competition for life after weighing a fish suspected to have a foreign substance in its belly. The team Captain brought what would have been the winning fish to the DNR weighmaster. Once on the scales the weighmaster called out the weight which was announced on the PA system, “We have a new tournament leader.” He then proceeded to feel the fish’s stomach, which had a peculiar lump. Suspecting the worst the weighmaster then ran a metal detector across the fish and as he expected the machine went off. Informing the contestant that he needed to open the fish up, the Captain grabbed the fish and proclaimed that this was the wrong fish, he had another one in the boat he wanted to weigh. Rushing out of the tent, ASA director Deona Holmes was in hot pursuit, demanding the Captain return the fish. As the Captain reached his boat he hollered at Tournament Director Bob Flocken, “You are always picking on me,” immediately cranked up the boat and sped out of the marina.

While the fish was never gutted, the actions of the team not allowing the fish to be inspected led tournament officials to immediately disqualify the team from competition. Further investigation is underway to see what the individuals have done in the past and whether criminal prosecution is warranted."