Why is it "A Sad Day" in Bass fishing?

[JKitz]

I don't understand why everyone is claiming it is a "SAD DAY" in bass fishing because Mike Hart was caught cheating.

Personally I think its a great day because this Piece of SH$T is not fishing tournaments anymore.

Yeah I don't know the guy, but many many people are saying he is a great person. But none of these people are thinking that he is this great person while he was cheating directly in front of these same people that made such claims. It just makes you wonder what else this guy is cheating at.

One post had that he had made over 37K in 4 years. Whether or not it was by cheating is still undetermined, but on average, he made a little over 9k a year fishing and if he was cheating. Was it truly worth it. Did you really need 9k a year that bad because of this crappy economy? I bet McDonalds pays more than that on a part-time gig.

People like this are just the root of all evil. I would have much rather heard that he was caught robbing a bank because I know that our children don't look up to bank robbers. But Bass Fishing??

Come on dude.

I hope you are never allowed to fish a tournament again!! None of this, "I think he should get a second chance crap." How do you think everyone that has every fish a tournament with him feels right now. A lot of speculation going on there.

Anyhow, I am not usually this blunt (OK, well sometimes I am not), but this is just crap. I wish this would catch the 10 o'clock news or even ESPN, because his face needs to get out there so everyone knows what a POS this guy is.

OK, that is my 2 cents... No more bashing from me!!

My name is Josh Kitzerow and I am not hiding behind any keyboards. I am sick to my stomach about what this guy has done and I needed to get a few things off my chest!!

[Soulman]

I agree totally. When bank robbers are apprehended before they get away with the $ it is not a bad day for banking. True, this is more like an "inside job" where one of our own committed the crime, so even more kudos to WON and Bill Egan for doing the right thing, and doing it expeditiously.

[Brian Linehan]

Hey Josh-

What's up buddy? Everyone feels the same as you. However, the reason why we are all saying it's sad is because we know and are close to Mike. None of this seems believable you know. I guess you could relate it to like having a brother who robbed a bank and for some reason a part of you is in denial that your brother actually did it. That's all brother. We're all in the same boat. Just bummed!

Hey, come to DVL on July 31 for the Ironman!

Peace Josh!

[split172]

In most eyes, it is a sad day because Hart was looked up to. Its like anyone who you respect/admire and find out that person is deceitful and a fraud. He was a so cal icon and was virtually unstoppable at castaic and casitas.

It is awesome that the truth has been revealed, but shocking to say the least!

The good thing is the castaic region will probably have some of the best turnouts this next coming season.

[mark poulson]

Its a sad day because someone went over to the dark side that's there tempting all of us.
No one is perfect, but most of us manage to resist the worst that's in all of us.
So when someone is tempted, and fails, it is sad, and reminds us all of the dangers.
He's not a monster.
He's just a person who was weak and who, for whatever reason, fell to temptation.

[Andy Lippert]

It makes me sick also, John, and I guess I'd call it a bittersweet day for bass fishing. It was karma that got him caught, and I hope he get's max'd out for whatever they can slam him with. WONBASS has already handled the situation in an extraordinary way, and I think that they'll continue to do so. Good job WONBASS!

The worst part is, that this guy was able to smile while holding up a trophy, or sit and bullsh*t with his "buddies" before and after scamming the crap out of them, like nothing was going on. That's the worst, he reached into the pockets of his friends and yanked their hard earned money out, all while having a smile on his face. It makes me absolutely sick to my stomach to think about.

I hope he rots in hell.

Andy

[Tony Lain]

Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes. In western ethics, integrity is regarded as the quality of having an intuitive sense of honesty and truthfulness in regard to the motivations for one's actions. It is sad... Sad for his family, friends, and fellow Southern California bass anglers. Let's NOT judge this man. Second chance? Heck NO. He made a really bad choice, and now he must live with that choice. We ALL have our PRICE! For some the PRICE is way too low... To me, that's what is truly SAD...

[JKitz]

Hey Josh-

What's up buddy? Everyone feels the same as you. However, the reason why we are all saying it's sad is because we know and are close to Mike. None of this seems believable you know. I guess you could relate it to like having a brother who robbed a bank and for some reason a part of you is in denial that your brother actually did it. That's all brother. We're all in the same boat. Just bummed!

Hey, come to DVL on July 31 for the Ironman!

Peace Josh!

Brian,

I totally understand, but I would be more pissed off that this guy has been pulling the wool over everyone's eyes. All those conversations people had with him and great moments were all while he knew he was doing harmful stuff to the sport (speculating of course, but there are too many recent wins to just say it was a 1 time deal).

I know its a sad day for Mike Hart and friends, but I don't think its a sad day for the sport. The way WON handled it should and has been commended. Kind of like how the Pyramid Cage incident should have been handled. Instead it was just pulled and people kind of forgot about it.

I am just venting because he just gave SoCal fishing a bad rep.

And the real sad part is he needs to catch a limit to put these weight in all the fish. And if you see my track record, I am not good at that. Basically I was jealous of a cheater.

You mentioned "However, the reason why we are all saying it's sad is because we know and are close to Mike". Do you really feel sad? or Humiliated because you have shook hands with this guy or maybe even handed a trophy to him? Or even angry because he stole money from people who had worked hard and are fishing honestly to try to make a profit on it? Or angry because the person you are or were close to just spit in your face? I just think "SAD" is a poor choice of word.

Oh and I am fishing the tourney on July 31. That is an awesome concept and you should be commended for bringing that back.

Anyhow, like I said, I am done bashing. I am just glad he is out of the scene now.

IT'S A GREAT DAY IN FISHING!!

[JKitz]

The worst part is, that this guy was able to smile while holding up a trophy, or sit and bullsh*t with his "buddies" before and after scamming the crap out of them, like nothing was going on. That's the worst, he reached into the pockets of his friends and yanked their hard earned money out, all while having a smile on his face. It makes me absolutely sick to my stomach to think about.

I hope he rots in hell.

Andy

OK, Andy articulated it a lot better than I did.

But this is the summary of why it was NOT a sad day in fishing!!

[Mike]

Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes. In western ethics, integrity is regarded as the quality of having an intuitive sense of honesty and truthfulness in regard to the motivations for one's actions. It is sad... Sad for his family, friends, and fellow Southern California bass anglers. Let's NOT judge this man. Second chance? Heck NO. He made a really bad choice, and now he must live with that choice. We ALL have our PRICE! For some the PRICE is way too low... To me, that's what is truly SAD...

Are you kidding me???????? "Lets not judge this man"?? I AM Judging this POS. He is the worst of the worst! Steeling from his friends for years. I cant believe some of you. More signs of the Pussifacation of America! I say we hang him in public old West style.

[JKitz]

Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes. In western ethics, integrity is regarded as the quality of having an intuitive sense of honesty and truthfulness in regard to the motivations for one's actions. It is sad... Sad for his family, friends, and fellow Southern California bass anglers. Let's NOT judge this man. Second chance? Heck NO. He made a really bad choice, and now he must live with that choice. We ALL have our PRICE! For some the PRICE is way too low... To me, that's what is truly SAD...

True That lain..

I understand there are many reasons why this can be construed as "SAD", but I am a glass half-full guy and this makes me GLAD that he is no longer fishing. He should and is being made an example for everyone that has ever thought of cheating in a sport where a kid flipping burgers is making more money than most (and that kid selling Lemonade made more money than me last year).

Is the Reward better than the Risk?

[JustinD]

More signs of the Pussifacation of America! I say we hang him in public old West style.

OMG man down.....pissing all over myself......One of the best posts ever. Thanks Mike......Now back to the corner before sTony/mods ban ya again.

[sTony]

I don't understand why everyone is claiming it is a "SAD DAY" in bass fishing because Mike Hart was caught cheating.

Personally I think its a great day because this Piece of SH$T is not fishing tournaments anymore.

Yeah I don't know the guy, but many many people are saying he is a great person. But none of these people are thinking that he is this great person while he was cheating directly in front of these same people that made such claims. It just makes you wonder what else this guy is cheating at.

One post had that he had made over 37K in 4 years. Whether or not it was by cheating is still undetermined, but on average, he made a little over 9k a year fishing and if he was cheating. Was it truly worth it. Did you really need 9k a year that bad because of this crappy economy? I bet McDonalds pays more than that on a part-time gig.

People like this are just the root of all evil. I would have much rather heard that he was caught robbing a bank because I know that our children don't look up to bank robbers. But Bass Fishing??

Come on dude.

I hope you are never allowed to fish a tournament again!! None of this, "I think he should get a second chance crap." How do you think everyone that has every fish a tournament with him feels right now. A lot of speculation going on there.

Anyhow, I am not usually this blunt (OK, well sometimes I am not), but this is just crap. I wish this would catch the 10 o'clock news or even ESPN, because his face needs to get out there so everyone knows what a POS this guy is.

OK, that is my 2 cents... No more bashing from me!!

My name is Josh Kitzerow and I am not hiding behind any keyboards. I am sick to my stomach about what this guy has done and I needed to get a few things off my chest!!

It was a sad day, on multiple levels. For me, it's really quite simple. I worry for the well being of the man. Obviously the guy made a huge mistake that not only forever destroyed his credibility, but cast a shadow over the achievements of others. The shock factor for many will be because a local legend got caught doing something that most who knew him didn't think could be a part of his character.

Mike Hart will never fish a tournament again. And that's a good thing. And, hopefully, there will a penalty that has to be paid as a result of breaking rules, the law and so forth.

But I'm well within my rights to feel sad. About what this means to our sport locally. About how this effects so many people in negative ways.

Listen, people make mistakes. Sometimes very bad ones. Friends make mistakes, sometimes ones they'll never recover from, and that's sad to witness.

I don't want to see Mike fishing tournaments ever again, but I don't want to see the man broken to the point that he can't move on in life away from the sport. Yes, he'll have a spectre following him now. His character will always be called into question and there's nothing he can do to turn that around. He's done.

But as with all those that violate the law and get caught doing so, once you've paid for that crime, there has to be a means to move on. That is where my concern for Mike Hart rests.

So that's why, for me, this is all very, very saddening.

sTony

[Andy Lippert]

More signs of the Pussifacation of America! I say we hang him in public old West style.

OMG man down.....pissing all over myself......One of the best posts ever. Thanks Mike......Now back to the corner before sTony/mods ban ya again.

I agree Mike, somehow people "feel bad" (boooooo fu*kin HOOOO) for this POS. It's amazing to me. "HE might have feelings too!" APPPPPPPFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTT. It's disgusting, and it is why we're in such a crappy place today in American society. We won't hold ANYONES nuts to the fire. We back off because of "feelings". Our great grandparents would be rolling in the f-in graves if they saw how we appease the guilty.

Hang 'em high! (and use two ropes doing it, because Lord knows only one wouldn't handle his fat a$$)

[Kbeever]

I agree Mike, somehow people "feel bad" (boooooo fu*kin HOOOO) for this POS. It's amazing to me. "HE might have feelings too!" APPPPPPPFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTT. It's disgusting, and it is why we're in such a crappy place today in American society. We won't hold ANYONES nuts to the fire. We back off because of "feelings". Our great grandparents would be rolling in the f-in graves if they saw how we appease the guilty.

Hang 'em high! (and use two ropes doing it, because Lord knows only one wouldn't handle his fat a$$)

DITTO!!! How do you think all of the second place finishers feel right now??? I know if someone took $300 out of my wallet I would be very unhappy...but If some took $3000, that is definitely cause for a hanging!

[sTony]

Interesting, this 'old West style' mentality going on. That was when there was no law in a lot of the territory that was to become our country. It's an era that died long ago. They used to hang horse thieves. Now they put them in jail for a period of time and then ultimately release them. It's what a civil society does. It's based on the notion that one act doesn't completely define a person forever.

Put it into better perspective. He got caught cheating in a game. That's not a hanging offense, even in the Old West.

sTony

[Brian Linehan]

Well put Tony.

[Soulman]

Whether it was "one act," we may never know.
Many will say that 8 fish, 10 weights, 2 days indicates multiple acts.
If cheating for each of 2 days is one act, would cheating in 2 tournaments be one act? By extrapolation, would a lifetime of cheating in tournaments be one act?
Nobody wants the guy to literally swing on a rope (and by the way I don't know him) but most want a proper punishment, which will be a criminal penalty, and not just a ban from fishing competitively.

[Andy Lippert]

It's what a civil society does. It's based on the notion that one act doesn't completely define a person forever.

Put it into better perspective. He got caught cheating in a game. That's not a hanging offense, even in the Old West.

sTony

Tell that to Chelsea King and Amber Dubois' parents. Amber was murdered in 2009, Chelsea, a few months ago in 2010. All by a man named John Gardner. Read below for more details, and please tell me that this "civil society" is on the right track.

The defendant admitted attacking King while she was jogging, taking her to a remote area where he raped and strangled her and buried her in a shallow grave.

Gardner admitted that he killed King within an hour of attacking her.

He also admitted killing 14-year-old Amber Dubois, who vanished while walking to Escondido High School in February 2009. Her skeletal remains were found last month in Pala.

Gardner admitted taking Dubois to Pala, where he raped and stabbed her before burying her in a shallow grave. The defendant said he killed Dubois with 90 minutes of his initial contact with her.

In 2000, Gardner was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at his mother's home. He was released after five years.

[Brian Linehan]

Rape and murder???

[some guy]

Interesting, this 'old West style' mentality going on. That was when there was no law in a lot of the territory that was to become our country. It's an era that died long ago. They used to hang horse thieves. Now they put them in jail for a period of time and then ultimately release them. It's what a civil society does. It's based on the notion that one act doesn't completely define a person forever.

Put it into better perspective. He got caught cheating in a game. That's not a hanging offense, even in the Old West.

sTony

I dont know I read a lot of stories of guys cheating at cards in saloons and being shot on site.

[massbaster]

So only guys who act like A holes are cheaters? Because he was a great guy people are so suprised that he cheated. Somebody who is good at cheating is probably going to seem like a "great guy" on the outside.

[sTony]

Andy,

Really? How do you compare this to murder?

And people are 'rushing to judgment' on this guy with assumptions that he's been cheating all along and at every opportunity, which hasn't been proven and likely won't be.

Deal with the facts at hand, as a judge and jury would have to do. Her got caught red handed cheating in one event. That's what this is about. Not the speculation of what might have happened earlier. Keep your focus, as you'd be expected to if you one of his peers sitting in a jury box at his trial.

I understand that a lot of folks are extremely upset with this guy. But that's why we're not all judge, jury and executioner.

Judge Roy Bean was the law in his territory long ago. In carrying out his version or interpretation of the law he often violated it. We've moved way beyond that.

sTony

[Andy Lippert]

Rape and murder???

Yes Brian. It's a perfect story of how our "civil society" has failed us. Do you not agree? Am I suggesting that the same punishment be given for both crimes? No. When I say "hang em high" I don't literally mean hang this guy for cheating in a bass tournament. I just want to see harsh punishment, NOT EXCUSES AND FEELINGS(something that grows like cancer in our "civil society" of today), that's all.

[some guy]

Andy,

Really? How do you compare this to murder?

And people are 'rushing to judgment' on this guy with assumptions that he's been cheating all along and at every opportunity, which hasn't been proven and likely won't be.

Deal with the facts at hand, as a judge and jury would have to do. Her got caught red handed cheating in one event. That's what this is about. Not the speculation of what might have happened earlier. Keep your focus, as you'd be expected to if you one of his peers sitting in a jury box at his trial.

I understand that a lot of folks are extremely upset with this guy. But that's why we're not all judge, jury and executioner.

Judge Roy Bean was the law in his territory long ago. In carrying out his version or interpretation of the law he often violated it. We've moved way beyond that.

sTony

the guy attached hooks to lead sinkers.. and had multiple "rigs" ready to go in his boat therefor its premeditated. How does one come to the conclusion that a hook must be added to the weight? Trail and Error

[Andy Lippert]

Andy,

Really? How do you compare this to murder?

And people are 'rushing to judgment' on this guy with assumptions that he's been cheating all along and at every opportunity, which hasn't been proven and likely won't be.

Deal with the facts at hand, as a judge and jury would have to do. Her got caught red handed cheating in one event. That's what this is about. Not the speculation of what might have happened earlier. Keep your focus, as you'd be expected to if you one of his peers sitting in a jury box at his trial.

I understand that a lot of folks are extremely upset with this guy. But that's why we're not all judge, jury and executioner.

Judge Roy Bean was the law in his territory long ago. In carrying out his version or interpretation of the law he often violated it. We've moved way beyond that.

sTony

Stony, I'm not comparing the two people or crimes. I only used the murder cases to show that our "civil society" (as you called it) frequently fails us, that is all. The Gardner case was as clear as it gets with how the pussification of America has directly affected it's citizens in an extremely negative way, and that the old west may have been more on the right track as far as punishment is concerned, than we are today. That is all.

[Kenny Webb]

Hey Brian,

Why not do random boat checks ??? is it because of time ?? before we launch in each tournament???. I know we need to get launched quickly but You could draw a chip for random boat checks. Just do 1 flight only. 1st flight,2nd, or 3rd ect. Just have all boats in that flight drawn line up for boat check. Boats could do a quick drive through before launching.

You could do a quick look for...live bait,big weights,Shark hooks for the snaggers.

This will not fix the whole problem but sure could help. Years ago I remember always having to have all compartments open before launching.


Kenny Webb

[Ron C]

Put it into better perspective. He got caught cheating in a game. That's not a hanging offense, even in the Old West.

What happened to people who got caught cheating in a game of poker in the old west, sTony?

I have known Mike Hart since he fished his very first tournament, and like everyone else here, I always thought that he was a stand-up guy and shook his hand many times while handing him a first place check and trophy. But I am not the least bit sad. In fact, I am flaming mad. Don't you sad folks even wonder (or care) about how many times he may have cheated in the past and stole your money? I sure as hell do.

This is not sad; this is a victory over someone who made a conscious effort (not a mistake) to cheat and to steal FROM HIS FRIENDS. Am I surprised and disappointed? Hell yes. Am I sad? Not at all. Sad is when a brave member of our military, or a police officer, or a firefighter is killed in the line of duty. Sad is NOT when a cheater and thief gets caught.

By the way - Since he received no prize money or merchandise from THIS tournament, there will probably be no criminal charges filed against him. At best, this is an attempted theft (by fraud) and I'm betting that the Feds (it occurred at a National Rec Area) will not take any criminal action against him - but I could be wrong about this.

[Brian Linehan]

I just want to see harsh punishment, NOT EXCUSES AND FEELINGS(something that grows like cancer in our "civil society" of today), that's all.

Oh, they're going to punish him for sure! No one is making excuses Andy. We're all on the same page there.

Also, it's normal to have feelings no matter which side of the fence you happen to be sitting on. that's what is so great about the USA you damn redneck! Only kidding Andy!!!!!

[Rob Dickson]

Your right Ron. The only thing won bass should have done different was waited till it was all over with all the money distributed then got him.

[Brian Linehan]

What up Kenny!!!

At my tournaments, we always do livewell checks and I'm going to have my staff teams do full boat checks from now on. It's inconvenient for you as an angler, but i think we all agree that the orgs need to tighten up a bit.

Also, there will be a check in boat at the end of the tournament for now on because too many guys are taking advantage of the situation and are coning in late. Too bad it takes something like this to wake everyone up, but all of this is happening for a reason!

See you on the 31'st bro!

Brian

[sTony]

What you have to take from this is that this guy tried to cheat in a bass tournament and within minutes of doing so everyone in the bass fishing world was notified. He got outed and in a big way. He's done. He'll never be afforded the opportunity to do it again. And it sounds as if he'll be prosecuted for what he's done.

I can't ask for anything more then that and it should be pretty satisfying knowing how it all played out.

Anyone trying to get 'their pound of flesh' beyond that is of questionable character themselves.

sTony

[Murph]

I'm reasonably certain that Cattle Rustling is Still a Hanging offense in Nevada.

[stan7]

I fished with Mike at the first (and last) Topstick tourney of 2010 at DVL. I had never met him before but I had heard of his Castaic domination.

I had a great time fishing with him and he answered all my questions about what baits he was using and how he was working them.

I watched him catch a solid bag of fish.

I never once saw him or suspected him of doing anything unsportsmanlike. He fished hard and put fish in the boat.

I'd like to think that everything I've accomplished has been because of honest hard work, but now I can't help but wonder if everything was on the level since we were in the money.

I doubt he'll make any statement or whatever about his past tournament winnings, but I sure would like to know whether of not this was a one-time deal out of desperation.

[sTony]

What happened to people who got caught cheating in a game of poker in the old west, sTony?

Well, I don't know, Ron, as I wasn't alive then and I don't tend to put much credence into what Hollywood shows them as doing.

In the West you were confronted when cheating. You had an opportunity to make it right immediately. You were run out of town and told not to come back. You got shot if you argued the fact and tried to defend yourself.

Last I heard, Mike hasn't denied anything.

Bottom line is this isn't the Old West. And all this kind of talk is just more macho, chest beating crap.

sTony

[Andy Lippert]

What happened to people who got caught cheating in a game of poker in the old west, sTony?

Bottom line is this isn't the Old West. And all this kind of talk is just more macho, chest beating crap.

sTony

Well, I've been called a lotta things in my short 25 years on this earth, but Tarzan certainly hasn't been one of them. I'll make sure to add it to my list, sTony. Thanks.

Time to go pump iron, pound protein shakes and swing from the trees....

[g-man]

He was a great guy in the eyes of his friends, then he got caught cheating, and you have to believe he did it more then once. This guy proved hes nothing more then a thief!

Lots of folks thought OJ was a great guy too....

[Brian Linehan]

I've been called a lotta things in my short 25 years on this earth, but Tarzan certainly hasn't been one of them

Lol

[sTony]

I'm not saying that you guys are wrong in how you feel about this deal because, heck, you feel how you feel. And you're entitled to that.

But try to keep it in perspective. Comparing this guy to rapists and murderers is idiotic.

sTony

[Ron C]

Last I heard, Mike hasn't denied anything.

Last I heard was this: "When confronted, Hart immediately left the scene at Callville Bay."

And of course it is silly to compare this to murder or rape, but it certainly isn't "sad". But as you say - this is only my feeling and opinion.

[Andy Lippert]

I'm not saying that you guys are wrong in how you feel about this deal because, heck, you feel how you feel. And you're entitled to that.

But try to keep it in perspective. Comparing this guy to rapists and murderers is idiotic.

sTony

sTony, I think you need to open your eyes and read! I didn't compare the two people, I only offered a case as to how our "civil society" (YOUR words) is not on point and makes frequent errors in judgment. I think you're the idiotic one for not seeing the simple example that I gave.

Now....back to killing lions and tigers with my bare hands!....

[sTony]

Last I heard, Mike hasn't denied anything.

Last I heard was this: "When confronted, Hart immediately left the scene at Callville Bay."

Well, there you go. Lots has happened since then. Just not all publicly or at least publicly yet.

sTony

PS - Even what you did quote doesn't equate to a denial. From what I was told there was never a denial made, an exit yes, and it's not like Mike hasn't spoken to anyone since. I've heard of no denials.

[sTony]

I'm not saying that you guys are wrong in how you feel about this deal because, heck, you feel how you feel. And you're entitled to that.

But try to keep it in perspective. Comparing this guy to rapists and murderers is idiotic.

sTony

sTony, I think you need to open your eyes and read! I didn't compare the two people, I only offered a case as to how our "civil society" (YOUR words) is not on point and makes frequent errors in judgment. I think you're the idiotic one for not seeing the simple example that I gave.

Now....back to killing lions and tigers with my bare hands!....

[/img]

My sense of compassion may be idiotic. I can wear that.

sTony

[Long Nguyen]

Last I heard, Mike hasn't denied anything.

Last I heard was this: "When confronted, Hart immediately left the scene at Callville Bay."

And of course it is silly to compare this to murder or rape, but it certainly isn't "sad". But as you say - this is only my feeling and opinion.

Ron, WON released some more details about the incident. Apparently Mike did not leave the scene exactly....

I asked Mike to step to the side, as there was something we needed to talk about. The five fish were immediately set aside in a separate bag. Mike was escorted to the side where we had officials waiting. All five fish that had been presented to our scales by Mr. Hart where then gutted, and as most of you have seen, the lead weights where in all five fish. As I continued to keep the scales going, it was said that Mike had run. I was not made aware of the fact the Mike Hart was still around, until an angler came to me and said, that Mike was still here, but was hiding in a friends truck. I was taken to the truck, as Mike had requested to talk with me. I opened the driver side door, as Mike Hart was in the passenger side with the air on. As I got in the car, all the signs were there...... He was slumped in the chair with his hands on his face. He confessed to adding weights to the fish and was completely demoralized regarding his pour and completely unacceptable decision he had made by cheating. I mentioned that he had made it to easy for us to figure out, and it was only due to the fact that the Nevada Fish and Game happened to fillet and donate the meat to the local homeless families. I asked him, if he wanted to take the stage and face his friends family and fellow anglers, and he said he could not face it. I explained that we as a tournament organization will go after him with everything we have, and that I was troubled that we would have to make an example of him.

[KPalmer]

"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God"
Rom 3:23

Not to get preachy by any means, but we all have the capacity to do stupid wrong things and none of us are above it....we have just managed to resist the same temptation as Mike wasn't able to. But there are things we struggle with that isn't an issue for Mike. He is facing the consequences and his competitive fishing life is over. It is disgraceful what he did or has done in the past, and as much as I want to see him get punished..that doesn't make any of us better than him. I don't know him and certainly wouldn't want to be him right now facing all of you who do know him personally...that would be the hardest part explaining to all of you why he did what he did.

[Ron C]

Thanks Long. I just spoke with someone very close to Mike and learned that he did, in fact, confess to his actions.

Having been in law enforcement for over thirty years, I cannot even begin to tell you how many times arrested persons claimed that they were "sorry," when the truth of the matter is that they were only sorry that they got caught.

If it's not too much to ask, do you have a link to the quoted text that you posted?

By the way – it’s good to hear from you again. It's been a while. It is unfortunate that it takes something like this to re-kindle old friendships and acquaintances. Take care.

[Andy Lippert]

http://westernbass.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=59542&f=2

Here you go Ron.

[Ron C]

Thanks Andy. Hey let's go fishing again some time. Always a hoot with you.

[Long Nguyen]

Thanks Long. I just spoke with someone very close to Mike and learned that he did, in fact, confess to his actions.

Having been in law enforcement for over thirty years, I cannot even begin to tell you how many times arrested persons claimed that they were "sorry," when the truth of the matter is that they were only sorry that they got caught.

If it's not too much to ask, do you have a link to the quoted text that you posted?

By the way – it’s good to hear from you again. It's been a while. It is unfortunate that it takes something like this to re-kindle old friendships and acquaintances. Take care.

Andy beat me to it. http://westernbass.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=59542&f=2

WON started another post, stating the facts.

Good to hear from you too..I was wondering when you would chime in with an opinion being the previous WON director for that region and being in law enforcement.

I agree with your comments.

[Andy Lippert]

Thanks Andy. Hey let's go fishing again some time. Always a hoot with you.

No problem, Ron. I'd love to go fishing with you again, too, just lemme know when and where and I'll do my best to make it on out! I've got only a month left down here in San Diego, then I'll be back living in Northern California. Time to make the Delta my home again! Pretty excited about it...


Andy