Poche DQ

[Hower08]

How about poche getting DQd for to small of an outboard. The article I read said the rule was put in place after Cox won in 17 with his 75 hp and all the other anglers complained. What a bunch of babies

[N Florida Mike]

Rules are rules but I dont see why it would matter to anyone. 

[OCdockskipper]

He got DQ'd because he used the smaller outboard to attack Ish Monroe...

[DitchPanda]

I understand the rule it's to keep a level playing field kinda like horsepower restrictions in racing. It's there to give guys that can't afford multiple boats an equal shot. While I don't necessarily agree with the rule I can see it's reason for being. What I can't understand is how a professional fisherman is not aware of the rules in a high profile tournament while the other 200 guys are. He surely isn't the only guy who thought getting a smaller boat into the backwaters would be beneficial yet he was he only one that tried to do it.

[Logan S]

I can't believe it went unnoticed through practice and Day 1 launch...Especially since those guys have to drive past a tournament official during launch for livewell checks.  The FLW tournament staff definitely should have caught it beforehand, but it doesn't excuse the violation.  

 

I think the rule makes sense personally, not sure why so many are upset about it....But even so, it's been on the books for almost 10 years now.  I feel bad for him, but at same time...It's not like a hidden or interpretive rule.  

[TnRiver46]

It’s always been 150 minimum in FLW from what I remember. He should have known that. I’ve fished one tournament in my life (BFL) and I remember reading that rule . maybe his google machine was broken??

[Glenn]

Rules are rules. You don't have to agree with them, but if you want to play, you must abide by them.  Their sandbox, their rules.

 

That said, I've met Keith...had several conversations with him.  I don't feel this is something he deliberately did in defiance of the rules.  Given he's a "transplant" from the Elites, I would guess this is a matter of making a mistake.  I doubt any pro has all the rules memorized.

 

Yup, up to them to know the rules.  Like a said...a mistake.

[Hower08]

I agree rules are rules. But it was made known that John Cox winning with his 75 and all the other anglers complaining are why it went into effect . I'm guessing all those boats are inspected prior to the tournament due to safety/liability issues. It should have been caught.

 

   Not making excuses for not knowing the tournament rules but come on. A motor to small? That's just silly. I could see if there was some guys running a 300+ it's obviously unfair 

[flatcreek]

Kip Carter just won the Flw toyota series in an aluminum tunnel hull with a Merc 115 at Wheeler.they gave away a new Phoenix boat to the Champion co- angler with a115 on it.FLW has so many divisions I can see where folks get confused.the 2020 BFL rules list a 250 maximum hp, no minimum listed

[BassNJake]

Part of the problem is that they are not going out alone.

They used to have co anglers and now they have marshalls.

Ever been out on a Lake Erie in a 18 ft boat with a 75 HP motor?

It'll work if its slick calm, but 2-3 footers are not safe and if there is a slight breeze from Canada it can get to 5 footers quick.

 

Like the others have said Rules are Rules

The tourney officials are there to enforce the rules, not babysit the people who dont know them

[GReb]

From what I read Poche did not whine or complain. He owned up to not knowing the rules. It is a kind of strange one though. Of all the FLW and MLF series only the Pro Circuit has a minimum HP requirement. That being said I wouldn’t want to be on the Great Lakes with about that small

[Choporoz]

On 8/4/2020 at 8:18 PM, Logan S said:

I can't believe it went unnoticed through practice and Day 1 launch...Especially since those guys have to drive past a tournament official during launch for livewell checks.  The FLW tournament staff definitely should have caught it beforehand, but it doesn't excuse the violation.  

This, to me, is the bigger story.  I made zero attempt to validate the validity of this comment on FLW post, but I found it quite interesting:

"Poche never hid the fact he was using a 90 horse on his boat. In fact several anglers spoke about it the morning of day one. Keep in mind there was a 1 hour fog delay which inspectors could have questioned the use of the boat during that time, educating Poche on the rule. This would have enabled Poche to retrieve his Triton which was stored a mere 20 minutes from take off. Instead he was allowed to use His little boat with the 90 horse and then disqualified after protest. Interesting how things work."

I commend Poche for accepting full responsibility and not making any excuses.

[Hower08]

On 8/5/2020 at 11:14 AM, BassNJake said:

Part of the problem is that they are not going out alone.

They used to have co anglers and now they have marshalls.

Ever been out on a Lake Erie in a 18 ft boat with a 75 HP motor?

It'll work if its slick calm, but 2-3 footers are not safe and if there is a slight breeze from Canada it can get to 5 footers quick.

 

Like the others have said Rules are Rules

The tourney officials are there to enforce the rules, not babysit the people who dont know them

Yes I have been on Erie in rough water in small boats I have had my 16 footer out there when it's been rolling 3s. We fish Erie in everything from my 16 footer to 20 foot bass boats guess you just gotta trust who you are with