FLW Saltwater Striper Trail part 2

[slapshot]

I'd like to know more about the cheating in the ASA tournaments. A buddy and I have talked about entering the last 2 years, but haven't done it yet. We are specifically looking at the Old Saybrook event. Looking at last years standings, I was amazed at the number of fish over 40 pounds that were weighed in. It just seemed odd, as we consider ourselves to know a fair bit about the fish that are typically caught in our area (he is a charter captain and runs a tackle shop).

Care to share more about this cheating?

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by slapshot

I'd like to know more about the cheating in the ASA tournaments. A buddy and I have talked about entering the last 2 years, but haven't done it yet. We are specifically looking at the Old Saybrook event. Looking at last years standings, I was amazed at the number of fish over 40 pounds that were weighed in. It just seemed odd, as we consider ourselves to know a fair bit about the fish that are typically caught in our area (he is a charter captain and runs a tackle shop).

Care to share more about this cheating?

Slapshot, the rumor mill presents several cases of cheating with several different tourneys, not just the ASA, but because it is in fact the "Rumor Mill" I think it would be unwise to further propogate the rumors because they cannot be confirmed. And keep in mind it is the "Rumor Mill". It is sad because >90% of the participants were probably honest.

[Basser]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Slapshot, the rumor mill presents several cases of cheating with several different tourneys, not just the ASA, but because it is in fact the "Rumor Mill" I think it would be unwise to further propogate the rumors because they cannot be confirmed. And keep in mind it is the "Rumor Mill". It is sad because >90% of the participants were probably honest.

I chased a "absolute unequivocal classic case of cheating" (according to people "that were there and can confirm it") for a long time. Spoke to all the individuals and found out it was primarily bred out of sour grapes and unconfirmable "evidence"...I suspect 99.9% of the claimed cheating is in that category.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Basser

I chased a "absolute unequivocal classic case of cheating" (according to people "that were there and can confirm it") for a long time. Spoke to all the individuals and found out it was primarily bred out of sour grapes and unconfirmable "evidence"...I suspect 99.9% of the claimed cheating is in that category.

I agree, though I suspect only 80% or rumored cheating is in fact in that category and 20% of rumors would pan out as cheating. I have had particular instances brought to my attention by multiple unrelated sources, some who "heard" and some who say they "saw". It does exist, not as ramptant as the rumor mill would put forth. And as far as actual instances go, it would be wrong to propagate them. However, it does not mean that the cheating does not exist.

[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."

[TheSpecialist]

Just doing a quick search I found that the most exspensive entry fee was for the Kingfish and Redfish tournaments with total purse per tournament of like 200,000. The entry fee was 750 thats it, where are you people getting 2500??

[Bill L]

It is just a fishing contest and GOD FORBID someone actually make any profits from it!!! It is not a sin to make money and have fun at the same time.

Why not just get a commercial license and sell some fish on the side if you want to profit off the fishery?