US Open Cheater?

[Brian Linehan]

Here's a potential issue with a polygraph. Lets just assume that "John Blurry" came out and fished my event. He ends up winning and for some unknown reason, he fails. Lets assume that he didn't do anything wrong. Now, John Blurry is out of money and he sues the tournament organization. the end result is the tournament organization and John Blurry being tied up in court for a year and spending an exorbitant amount of $$$ on lawyers, etc.

I'm not against the idea, just thinking aloud.

[Kenny Webb]

If this is true this really sucks!!!!!!!

Makes you also wonder about all his team partners. Was this just a onetime deal or has he been doing this for years????

Really sucks/!!! you try and get your game to the level of these kind of top guys to find out they are cheating to beat you. WTF

I was just wondering why tournament orgs never check boats like they used to years back. GO THROUGH ALL THE COMPARTMENTS PRIOR TO LAUNCH. If its a time issue do a random draw to see which flight of boats get checked. Flight one,two, or three..ect. I know this will not keep people from shoving weights but might help overall.

If this is all true....this is a sad day for SO cal fishing.

kenny Webb

[drew]

Polygraphs are not 100% accurate. Actually the interview is the deciding factor the machine is more of a prop. The quality of the interviewer and his technique is very important. It might be better then nothing, but it might also be a false sense of security. I believe BASS uses two tests polygraph and some type of facial evaluation. Maybe a polygraph combined with a metal detector or pen camera would be enough of a deterrent.

It's common practice in the midwest to have polygraphs at every tournament. Paying the extra $10 to feel some level of protection is 100% worth it. Beyond that looking into the cost of a metal detector would be solid as well.

Hart, might me a solid stick but now he deserves to be remembered as a cheating prick.

[Topwater Terry]

seems to me I remember an article about Skeet supposedly prefishing a lake for someone, and we was not even on the lake at the time he was accused of being there. He had timecards from his old workplace to prove it, yet he still failed a polygraph....so those tests aint ironclad to say the least...

[some guy]

Here's a potential issue with a polygraph. Lets just assume that "John Blurry" came out and fished my event. He ends up winning and for some unknown reason, he fails. Lets assume that he didn't do anything wrong. Now, John Blurry is out of money and he sues the tournament organization. the end result is the tournament organization and John Blurry being tied up in court for a year and spending an exorbitant amount of $$$ on lawyers, etc.

I'm not against the idea, just thinking aloud.

I can see that angle as well. This is just an idea im throwing out there. Its obvious something needs to be done. We are all smart enough to come up with something effective. Im telling you right now, if there is no measures taken to ensure the integrity of an event. No org will see a penny of my money ever again. its just not worth it. It sucks but to me, im not going to put money up front with the possibilty of getting cheated out of it. If orgs dont want to take steps to ensure that integrity then i guess tournament fishing isnt for me. I could save the 350 and fish a few extra times a month, even saying that sucks because I love the competetive aspect of fishing, but im not about to get cheated.

[KPalmer]

Rick I agree for sure with the TOC...but for the regular season I think you could actually accomplish the same thing by letting everyone know that it will be done randomly and no one knows which tournaments the "poly" will be given or not given. Kinda like the random drug testing thing.

Yes, everyone says it's a sad day in bass fishing, but although sad, it is a great day in that one more cheater is being made an example of and this has to bring some necessary changes to our circuits.

[SKTR 20i]

All I can say is "that's too darn bad for a great sport"!!! Now any one that fishes a tournament alone will be second guessed.

John.

[Brian Linehan]

Yes, everyone says it's a sad day in bass fishing, but although sad, it is a great day in that one more cheater is being made an example of and this has to bring some necessary changes to our circuits.

Well said!

[sTony]

There is a reason why lie detectors aren't valid in a court of law. They don't tell you much of anything. They can be beat. They can give you false positives as well. They really tell you nothing.

sTony

[TEAMDEADMONEY]

I think the lie dectector thing is a bad Idea because of what brian mention.. People who did not cheat can and will fail the poly just like people that DID cheat will pass the poly..

That would suck to win and do it fairly and fail the poly because you are nervous and or excited about just winning...

I just think that ORGs need to take a look at results and monitor things better on a grander scale...then if something is suspected they can bring in random poly tests.. just an idea..

Im all for having a fair playing field..WHO WOULDNT BE, Except for the Cheaters, but Id hate to see someone lose because they failed a test that tests their nerves...

Pete

[some guy]

There is a reason why lie detectors aren't valid in a court of law. They don't tell you much of anything. They can be beat. They can give you false positives as well. They really tell you nothing.

sTony

http://www.metaldetector.cc/index.asp?P ... gwodO3ZXdg

keep batteries in it and it should last a few seasons.. mix that with the polygraph and you got yourselves a better situation than what we have now.

[some guy]

I think the lie dectector thing is a bad Idea because of what brian mention.. People who did not cheat can and will fail the poly just like people that DID cheat will pass the poly..

That would suck to win and do it fairly and fail the poly because you are nervous and or excited about just winning...

I just think that ORGs need to take a look at results and monitor things better on a grander scale...then if something is suspected they can bring in random poly tests.. just an idea..

Im all for having a fair playing field..WHO WOULDNT BE, Except for the Cheaters, but Id hate to see someone lose because they failed a test that tests their nerves...

Pete

what if that person fails under the same random testing? its a horeshit situation we are faced with, but something needs to be done and there are plenty of resources to make the playing field more level than it is now. so lets all figure something out. We cant hide or run from this.

[WON BASSIN]

Guys,

I want to state that WON Bass is going to do everything in our power to take this situation to the enth degree. This is not something that we are please to have had happen at our premier event of the year. I am working very hard with our main office and our TD's to insure that our events are the most secure events in the business. We have some great plans for the upcoming year, and we were already working on ideas of how to improve our already proven rules and regulations. We have always let it known that anyone at anytime could and would be subject to a lie detector test at any time we so may choose. It is only one option, but there are many others that I intend to implement in the future. We strive to give our anglers the best coverage and most level playing fields as possible. Random boat inspections is just one idea. We were already planning on changing up the Castaic events, due to the domination that was happening on that lake. We were going to set up a East/West tournament water change. Where anglers would fish one side of the lake for a certain period, then everyone would flop for the remainder of the day. This was in the hope of creating some sort of equality in that region. Let use do our job, and prove to you.... our anglers that we are steadfast and diligent in our pursuit of freedom in our WON Bass events.

This will be all I have to say for now, as I have family at home waiting for me.

Thank you for your support!

[BillyBass]

Cheating is a problem in whatever competitive venue and bass tournaments are no exception. Lie detectors are fallible, which is why they are not admissible in court. A lie detector wasn't necessary here because the weights were found right at the weigh-in in front of tournament and F&G officials. Guilt was proven by direct evidence -- the weights in the belly. So it seems in this instance of cheating that the detection of the weights was key to proving the case.

One solution would be to gut every fish after weighing in, but that would result in 100% mortality of all weighed fish. So that's out. But perhaps current technology can provide a solution. There are now available handheld ultrasound devices, and though I'm not an expert, I would think that such a device could easily detect the presence of lead weights in the belly of a bass without causing harm to the fish. If weights are detected then the fish could be gutted for verification.

Just a thought.

[S. Bailey]

its gonna be really hard to stop the cheaters in team tournaments. Maybe a metal detector and lie detectors will turn some of the cheaters away, but not all of them. I can only think of one way to stop cheaters and its not really feasible to do in regular team tournaments but maybe for the big money tournaments like team championships and such . These tournaments must get volunteer tournament officials like HBC tournaments. Every team must have a VTO in the boat the whole day. It wont be hard to get these officials for a couple big tournaments a year. Kind of hard to get for every team tournament in ca but the big money championships are a must . Been saying it for years.

[Ray Vanacore]

WON tournaments that he won will be voided but will he have to make restatution

Won Bass 2009-2010
1 Mike Hart/ 5 4.50 17.16 $2,630
1 Mike Hart/ 5 21.56 6.05 21.56 105 $2,170
1 Mike Hart/ 5 17.82 17.82 125 $2,180
1 Mike Hart/ 5 18.98 8.25 18.98 125 $2, 000+
1 Mike Hart/ 5 20.37 7.96 20.37 125 $1,590
1 Mike Hart/ 5 20.97 6.85 20.97 125 $1,405


Mike Hart is banned for life for presenting fish to the scales that had unnatural objects in their stomachs," said WON BASS Tournament Director Harvey Naslund. "We plan on pressing charges against Mr. Hart and we will void any victories he has had in any past WON BASS events."
Ray Vanacore

[BuzzBait71]

should have used tungsten

[YouHateIt]

Boycott this a$$ hole. Don't anyone sell him a hook or repair his boat. Kick him out of your establishment if he walks in.
If you support this phuck stain, then you are also tainted.
Shame this loser out of town. Put flyers around his neighborhood. If I lived any closer, I'd be tacking em up right now.
No better than a common thief.
Lets get a "Megans Law" website for cheaters. Put up their cheating record, pic of their face, where they live, etc., then any tourney org in the country can look up new members for records of cheating.

I like your style!

[Paul Matthews]

should have used tungsten

Too expensive. Cuts into his overhead.

[j10b]

WON tournaments that he won will be voided but will he have to make restatution

Won Bass 2009-2010
1 Mike Hart/ 5 4.50 17.16 $2,630
1 Mike Hart/ 5 21.56 6.05 21.56 105 $2,170
1 Mike Hart/ 5 17.82 17.82 125 $2,180
1 Mike Hart/ 5 18.98 8.25 18.98 125 $2, 000+
1 Mike Hart/ 5 20.37 7.96 20.37 125 $1,590
1 Mike Hart/ 5 20.97 6.85 20.97 125 $1,405


Mike Hart is banned for life for presenting fish to the scales that had unnatural objects in their stomachs," said WON BASS Tournament Director Harvey Naslund. "We plan on pressing charges against Mr. Hart and we will void any victories he has had in any past WON BASS events."
Ray Vanacore

Thanks for posting that. These Winnings are In ADDITION to his 37k with anglers choice. Lots of guys are just using that 37k number and it looks like Mike won well over 50k!!!! with his sick minded weights!!
Who builds a weight with a hook?!! at least that idiot Robbie Rose was a tool enough to use a huge weight and it jacked the fish right away.

THIS tool spent TIME or bought them from someone else whom is building tools to CHEAT!! Its not like some DB went to the marina and grabbed a 8oz bait and tried to jam it in the gullet.

[SKTR 20i]

Aside from bilking honest anglers out of their personal income what is Mr. Harts "regular" job? Does he sell baits that we should boycott, does he sell real estate that we should not buy, what exactly does he do that we could try and get back into HIS pocket!!??

I would imagine that since other tournaments are in the "past" he is going to skate on restitution or charges related to those events. But he still has to eat and if we could somehow hinder that it may help those that have been giving him money for years a little better nights sleep!!

John.

[CHANDLER]

I am one of Mike's former partners and still a close friend and dont appreciate the allegations on his previous partners. When we fished we did very well also. I think what is getting missed with his dominance in recent years is that when we fished there were always 70-90 teams on the water and I think more/better competition. Even if 75% of those teams were not that good they were still occupying SPOTS on the lake that better guys couldnt fish. This affected alot of guys. Now, there are only 20-25 boats in a tournament, so most of the lake is open. No fighting for spots and good anglers can fish mostly all of their areas. I cant tell you how many times we couldnt get on a spot because of another boat. And many times they couldnt catch the fish. As soon as they would move we could go on that spot and cath em. Also, the tournaments were all mostly on Castaic which Mike, John, Bill, and Joey know inside and out. Put an observer in his boat every time and I bet they still win these events. What Mike did was have very bad judgement and he needs to deal with that. As Rick says IMHO

[N.A.R]

Ill take that bet!

[Rick G]

I am one of Mike's former partners and still a close friend and dont appreciate the allegations on his previous partners. When we fished we did very well also. I think what is getting missed with his dominance in recent years is that when we fished there were always 70-90 teams on the water and I think more/better competition. Even if 75% of those teams were not that good they were still occupying SPOTS on the lake that better guys couldnt fish. This affected alot of guys. Now, there are only 20-25 boats in a tournament, so most of the lake is open. No fighting for spots and good anglers can fish mostly all of their areas. I cant tell you how many times we couldnt get on a spot because of another boat. And many times they couldnt catch the fish. As soon as they would move we could go on that spot and cath em. Also, the tournaments were all mostly on Castaic which Mike, John, Bill, and Joey know inside and out. Put an observer in his boat every time and I bet they still win these events. What Mike did was have very bad judgement and he needs to deal with that. As Rick says IMHO

Here is even more proof that Mike should have fessed up at the awards and cleared these guys names. Now Joey and Zank have to defend themselves. Guilt by association is a shame, but a sincere confession and apology AT THE TIME IT MATTERED MOST, would have spared them the grief. Hiding out makes the matter worse IMHO. The only way to begin the healing process for yourself and family, [only ones that really matter] is to admit your giult and try and rebuild from scratch. Rick G.

[PF3352]

Everyone is trying to figure out if a metal detector would work. If you have an Iphone or Droid you can download your own metal detector to your phone. It works and is free.

[mark poulson]

Ill take that bet!

And I'd bet you'd lose.
That's what makes this so senseless. He's a good stick without cheating.
Like Rick said, a public apology is in order, even if it's late, to ask the forgiveness of the community he's betrayed, and so the people who fished with him are exonerated.
That would be a start toward rebuilding his life, which I'm sure, right now, is in ruins.

[j10b]

Here is even more proof that Mike should have fessed up at the awards and cleared these guys names. Now Joey and Zank have to defend themselves. Guilt by association is a shame, but a sincere confession and apology AT THE TIME IT MATTERED MOST, would have spared them the grief. Hiding out makes the matter worse IMHO. The only way to begin the healing process for yourself and family, [only ones that really matter] is to admit your giult and try and rebuild from scratch. Rick G.

Yup, people are forgetting when he weighed in a 20+ pound when everyone else had 10-12.

I know everyone wants to say he cheated from day one, but I doubt it.
he is Still a cheater, but he didnt cheat at every one.

Oh and if you watch baseball you are a hypocrite. Not Saying to welcome Mike back, but those ball players cheated at a much higher level and no one cares.

[Kevin]

The baseball analogy is a good one.

[Andy Giannini]

I am one of Mike's former partners and still a close friend and dont appreciate the allegations on his previous partners. When we fished we did very well also. I think what is getting missed with his dominance in recent years is that when we fished there were always 70-90 teams on the water and I think more/better competition. Even if 75% of those teams were not that good they were still occupying SPOTS on the lake that better guys couldnt fish. This affected alot of guys. Now, there are only 20-25 boats in a tournament, so most of the lake is open. No fighting for spots and good anglers can fish mostly all of their areas. I cant tell you how many times we couldnt get on a spot because of another boat. And many times they couldnt catch the fish. As soon as they would move we could go on that spot and cath em. Also, the tournaments were all mostly on Castaic which Mike, John, Bill, and Joey know inside and out. Put an observer in his boat every time and I bet they still win these events. What Mike did was have very bad judgement and he needs to deal with that. As Rick says IMHO

Here is even more proof that Mike should have fessed up at the awards and cleared these guys names. Now Joey and Zank have to defend themselves. Guilt by association is a shame, but a sincere confession and apology AT THE TIME IT MATTERED MOST, would have spared them the grief. Hiding out makes the matter worse IMHO. The only way to begin the healing process for yourself and family, [only ones that really matter] is to admit your giult and try and rebuild from scratch. Rick G.

And here is the real issue, he created more victims.

Not just the guys he cheated in tournaments, but everybody he fished with from day one.

Every win if honest or not will be suspect, and every former partner will be just as suspect.

And the pyramid gets bigger with everybody who ever fished in those events.

A.G.

[Spookin'Em43]

Every team must have a VTO in the boat the whole day. It wont be hard to get these officials for a couple big tournaments a year. Kind of hard to get for every team tournament in ca but the big money championships are a must . Been saying it for years.

As a college angler looking to excel in this sport, ill do. Just give me lunch at the end of the day. I would have no problem volunteering my time. As far as im concerned it would be to most peoples benefit. I see it as a great learning experience and way to make sure people are practicing good integrity to the sport...where do I sign up?

[N.A.R]

so we all know that Mike Hart is Guilty, but please wait to judge John Zanko. He will be demanding to take a lie detector test tomorrow to clear his name. Just wanted to put that out there before everybody starts judging. I cant believe this . Such a shame.

Does anyone know the out come of this?

[Nozmo King]

Back in the day, I was in a club in which one of its top anglers was caught cheating red-handed. Very disheartening. I didn't want to believe it for a while either & kept trying to think of plausible explanations for the whole thing. I even considered the guy a friend.

The situation brings to mind two sayings. One is "Nobody gets caught the first time." My bet is that he's done it before. I have a friend who worked in loss-control for a big store. The main thieves were the employees. Once they got started, though, they couldn't make themselves stop until they got caught.

The other saying is one from one of my dad's friends, a fellow WWII vet: "A lock keeps an honest man honest." Not that it applies directly to this situation. Just that none of us is perfect & most men I know, including myself, are at times less than honest, especially if we can get away with it easily. Of all the competitive sports out there, bass fishing would be the easiest to cheat at.

A disappointing situation but not entirely shocking. Of course, he didn't steal any of my money or I'd probably be a lot madder.

[TEAMDEADMONEY]

Bill, I commend you and WON for the way this whole thing has been handled.. Props to you guys!

That deal you mentioned about the whole "East/West" side of the lake thing sounds BAD in my opinion though... Won doesnt need to completely change the way their tournaments are.. That would be a Giant mistake on their part, and one that will ruin a region.. WONs numbers in some regions are low enough, please dont make a carnival out of your circuit.

Also I hope that WON doesnt plan on having an "Off Limits" next year.. That would also hurt your numbers. Weve beat that dead horse to death last year when the topic of off limits came up. It was agreed by the majority that off limits was a bad idea.
I personally hate the idea because Im a guide and have to guide during the week of tournaments sometimes. So obviously I think its a really bad idea.

We dont need to change everything people just because this clown got caught cheating... We just need to be more aware and make some minor changes. The cheaters will always be 2 steps ahead of us...remember that.
Lie detectors arent a good idea nor are they admisable in court...plain and simple.

As far as the baseball take....Thats NOT a good take. Baseball is a Game. These tournaments are for money.
That being said....Pete Rose bet on baseball and he was BANNED FOR LIFE!
The other cheating that goes on is ALOT different. People are always going to try to find an edge...i...e... Emery boards, Vasoline, Pine tar, corked bats, HGH, etc etc.. And all those guys have been forgiven... but when Rose bet on Baseball he put the sports integrity in question. The is a difference...

Pete

[MP]

Before


After


Sponsored by

[Garrettt]

man

he's a good guy, he's a good stick. SO WHAT. I can't believe I keep seeing this on all the boards.

He cheated, then admitted it..... nuff said.

Then with further disregard to his friends, family, and partners decided to leave the scene without discrediting any of his past partners. WOW, just like that. As most of his ex-partners stated, they never saw him cheating so why not just come out and say, "I made a mistake and I'll take it." WHy? because he's not a human with natural feelings, he's a robot. He only thinks of himself.

How can you try to justify this? He cheated. You guys still want to feel sorry for him, or make excuses, or look for anything possible that can prove his innocence or try to say he didn't cheat in the past. He has his own partners and friends so fooled that they will still defend him even though he wouldn't save their face??? I cannot fathom that? He must be one charismatic SOB.

I've never met him or fished against him but I have been drawn to this story for some reason.

HOW ARE PEOPLE STILL FEELING REMORSE FOR HIM?

I understand that people have known him for 25+ years blah blah blah but comon, don't try to defend him after all this?!!?! Being unbiased to any of this I wouldn't doubt that he not only trapped fish, used live bait, and used lead weights or whatever means he could to win, win, win, win, win, win, win. SO what if he had a good night/day and won a few without cheating. He is a liar, cheater. You sound like robots trying to say he is a good stick and all that ish.

That being said it looks like I picked a great time to start fishing tournies. I've had the best year of my life fishing with ABA for my first year ever in tournies with my life long friend, even going thru a divorce! I'm not going to let this jackoff rain on my parade.

See you all saturday night

Garrett Howard

[smpboy]

i hope he had KY jelly as a sponsor

[Garrettt]

Sponsored by

Wow, he's tall!

[bassaddicted]

I think all the pro's from the Open should file their own claims agaist his DUMB azz

[j10b]

So pete you are telling me that a guy juicing up on HGH giving himself an advantage of the field isnt the same thing? Oh and the guy took a job and got a contract that some other guy doing it the RIGHT way didnt get!

Not to mention they stole from the FANS and their team. Its EXACTLY like fishing. You still have to hit the ball, but you end the game with a win and a Huge bonus. Mike still had to catch the fish and big enough fish that he could add that little extra juice to them so he could do better than the next guy in line.

you may have personally lost money that you didnt do when Bonds/Arod/Manny/Mac/Clemmons... cheated,but its the same dang thing.

To say a guy that caught plenty of cheaters in his time has been cheating since day one is a stretch. Could he have seen how many people cheat and said " cant beat em join em"

Granted whomever gave him the entry fee is a complete IDIOT for putting "win big money or else" on him.

End of the Day Mike made his mistake. He does deserve to pay for it. I just dont think you take everything away from him, while a rich ball player is still treated like a god.
Mike should have to pay everything back, he should have to pay for his crime.

Taking away fishing from him forever? WTF! How about when you guys cull a dead fish we ban you forever? Hook a fish outside the mouth where is ILLEGAL on the State Books? Cheating is cheating. I dont understand the difference in adding 1 pound of weights and culling a dead fish for a larger live one. Or counting a fish that is snagged outside the mouth that Cali law states you have to throw back.

You are adding illegal weight to your total. Except in the last case you are actually breaking the law.

He should have to pay an extra fee so the organization can put an observer in the boat with him if he ever wants to fish tournaments again.

[SPIKE]

Rick. I think they should have 1 at every tournament.

[S. Bailey]

well i was pretty much over all this bs till I heard his excuse... such a crock of sh*t ! I spent my rent money to fish that tournament ... didnt get a check by ounces and still never had a thought like that to win. im extremelly pissed off now. Actually been talking with a lawyer about taking him to court myself. Every angler should contact a lawyer. I will be looking into going after him for the 20 something times I got 2nd to his ***. My lawyer says with the predetermined rig he was using we might all have a chance !!!!! Its worth it to me cause I have nothing else to loose. Im already house less !!! sorry just super pissed this morning all of a sudden...

[DanIsaac]

So pete you are telling me that a guy juicing up on HGH giving himself an advantage of the field isnt the same thing? Oh and the guy took a job and got a contract that some other guy doing it the RIGHT way didnt get!

Not to mention they stole from the FANS and their team. Its EXACTLY like fishing. You still have to hit the ball, but you end the game with a win and a Huge bonus. Mike still had to catch the fish and big enough fish that he could add that little extra juice to them so he could do better than the next guy in line.

you may have personally lost money that you didnt do when Bonds/Arod/Manny/Mac/Clemmons... cheated,but its the same dang thing.

To say a guy that caught plenty of cheaters in his time has been cheating since day one is a stretch. Could he have seen how many people cheat and said " cant beat em join em"

Granted whomever gave him the entry fee is a complete IDIOT for putting "win big money or else" on him.

End of the Day Mike made his mistake. He does deserve to pay for it. I just dont think you take everything away from him, while a rich ball player is still treated like a god.
Mike should have to pay everything back, he should have to pay for his crime.

Taking away fishing from him forever? WTF! How about when you guys cull a dead fish we ban you forever? Hook a fish outside the mouth where is ILLEGAL on the State Books? Cheating is cheating. I dont understand the difference in adding 1 pound of weights and culling a dead fish for a larger live one. Or counting a fish that is snagged outside the mouth that Cali law states you have to throw back.

You are adding illegal weight to your total. Except in the last case you are actually breaking the law.

He should have to pay an extra fee so the organization can put an observer in the boat with him if he ever wants to fish tournaments again.

J,

Cheating is indeed cheating. However, personally I never want to see bass fishing end up like baseball. That's exactly how baseball ended up like it is today. We minimized, and justified everything they do in that sport, as long as there were results, even though it was so obvious something wasn't right, as a society we made heroes out of the Bonds, Sosas, and McGuires. They all should have been banned from competing for life, just like Mr. Hart.

Mr. Hart can still fish, fish all he wants. He just can't compete anymore. He should have thought about that before the obviously
premeditated actions he took. To compare what he did to keeping
a fish that is fowl hooked is IMHO ridiculos! Is it cheating? Sure it is, but it in no way rises to the level of the premeditation Mr. Hart's actions exhibit. This was a well thought out, and in my opinion, a well practiced series of events. Banned for LIFE is exactly what the competitor Mike Hart has coming. As for the person, that's not for me to judge.

Dan

[Mike]

Thanks for responding that garbage Dan.......... I was bitting through my lip!

[Rick G]

Rick. I think they should have 1 at every tournament.

Me too. But with the "pussification" of America [that is the word of the century imho and kudo's to who said it] I doubt it will happen. Kyle and I lost to Mike at last years Tri-States by a little bit and Mike fished alone and had 3-4 dead fish the last day. Kinda makes you wonder. Rick G.

[Murph]

No wondering about it! Matt posted earlier that there was suspicion at that event. Looks like the "Broom of Convenience" was put into action.

[mark poulson]

Every TOC and Championship should have a lie detector for anyone who cashes a check, or wins anything.
Those are year end events, and can afford it.

[Paul Matthews]

Looks like your wondering days are over. Too bad. Tristates is a tough one to win.

[S. Bailey]

forget the lie detector.. every boat should have an official in it at championships period !

[Kenny Webb]

I agree with Shaun...throw an observer in each boat at the championships or any Major tourney. This will take care of this problem.

I would also add the observer should not leave the boat until the fish have been bagged and headed to the scales.

[Brian Linehan]

If a polygraph doesn't hold up in California law, what's the point Rick? They aren't 100% accurate and that's why!

How do you expect an organization to withold someone's money if they failed the polygraph? If the org did decide to keep the money, the angler in question would simply file a civil suit and win......EVERYTIME!

Add in the fact that litigation is expensive and the orgs don't have that kind of $$$ to blow. You and I are all too familiar with litigation these days! lol

There's no easy fix. We all need to be more vigilant I think.