What about the fish?

[DougH]

I just heard about this from a friend and was amazed with it all. It has spawned numerous other debates about what all is cheating etc, all good discussions too.

One thing that I havent really heard anyone mention yet is that he pretty much signed the execution papers for every fish he "manipulated" without regard for a life of one of Gods creatures.
Don't get me wrong, I eat fish 3-4 times a week so I'm far from a tree hugger or anything like that, BUT, I can't imagine that those fish deserved to die at the hands of a cheatin scumbox.

One of the goals of our tourneys is to preserve the lives of our fish, and I personally feel horrible if I kill a fish due to a mistake that I make.

He KNEW that all the fish he slipped barbed leadball to were going to die, and that fact alone sickens me even more than I already am. We don't really know the pain or trauma fish might feel, but to knowingly and purposly inflict terminal trauma is sickening and a crime against life in general.

Kharma for him will be ugly....

[sker13]

Just for the record. I have seen fish pass a 5/0 hook out their anus. The fish were stressed from the heat. He has probably got away with this in the past and the fish lived IMO.

[Oldschool]

A tournament held in 110+ degree weather on a deep canyon lake in the summer will have over 10% delayed mortality rates, that = dead bass, without cheating. The dead bass are filleted that die at the weigh in, those that die later become part of the natural food chain; cycle of life.
Harts leaded bass could have been worth over $3,000 a lb, if he won the event with the added weights. Money has can driven a lot good men off the cliff, Mike Hart is one of them.
Remember Sandy DeFresco caught a 21+ lb bass that swallowed a 2 1/2 lb diver belt lead weight and some how she managed to catch the live leaded bass! I guess lead weight don't bother some bass.
Tom

[lobinaloca]

I've been thinking the same thing, Doug, good point

[baitfish]

If these fish do survive for a period of time, I hope the org's keep in mind it is possible for someone to re-catch one of these fish and unknowingly bring it to the weigh in.

[Kelly Ripa]

Oh yeah Doug blows your mind doesn't it...I felt like that right off too! I figure the Karma? Fish Gods?...took it into there own hands? Fins? and the result was this discovery....Foolish to think that this won't play into the tree huggers hands. You know me Doug I'd gladly eat fish but I fizz crappie so they'll make when I catch them accidentally in the winter.

Rip

[DougH]

yes, instant Kharma 's gunna get you, slap you right in the face, better get your crap together, and join the human race!

Mother nature doesn't like people who murder her children!

How du you suppose a 30 lb lead sinker in your gut with a 10/0 hook wired to it would feel?

I just can't get over that...

Do you think their stomach acid would eventually destroy the "keeper" hook, and allow them to upchuck the lead?

Either way, it's still an amazing story... the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

That dude might as well start packing and move to across the country, and change his name while he's at it.

[Kelly Ripa]

I don't know Doug but someone who really wants to know should hire a diver to check a few release sites to see if Luka Bratzi swims with the fishes....opps wrong movie...I wonder if there are a few sinkers and remains lying around now that it is known what to look for...

Just to jack your thread... Sorry I couldn't get ahold of you for that last Casitas Night thing....It was fun but I didn't know the wifey was going to kick me loose until she asked me why I was still home......Gone in 60 seconds...

[DougH]

I think they'll have another or two, I'd love to go to the next one to see if my new black jigs are up to snuff.
My new purple on purple color is deadly at my private lake. Back to back 6's at 10:30 am!
Retirement fishing is very good... Everyday is a Saturday!

[smpboy]

If these fish do survive for a period of time, I hope the org's keep in mind it is possible for someone to re-catch one of these fish and unknowingly bring it to the weigh in.

now everyone can put lead weights in their fish and just blame it on hart