Busted.

[Ski]

According to Gary McCoy of KEEL 101.7FM & 701AM, two bass anglers were cited for allegedly cheating in a benefit bass fishing tournament on popular Caddo Lake in Louisiana this past weekend. The tournament was called "Reelin' for the Kids" and was organized to help foster children in the local community. The entry fee was $160 per team and the grand prize was $1,500 for first place. 

During the end-of-day weigh in, the two anglers were quietly escorted towards Louisiana Department of Fish and Wildlife agents. According to multiple sources, the two men allegedly admitted to officers that they weighed in bass they didn't actually catch. Other competitors mentioned suspicious activity from the team prior to the weigh in, which led to the questioning and subsequent citation.

[InfantryMP]

This sucks... I am not fishing tournament to win all the money, but especially something with kid involvement there is no place for cheating. They apparently needed the 1500. 

[A-Jay]

Weak Salad.

A-Jay

[Skunkmaster-k]

Not cool 

[Happybeerbuzz]

Any names?  The only meaningful penalty for something like this is public shaming. 

 

[Ski]

8 minutes ago, Happybeerbuzz said:

Any names?  The only meaningful penalty for something like this is public shaming. 

 

Officially: Phillip Purcell and Hunter Moss admitted to Wildlife and Fisheries Agents, during the weigh in of the Benefit Tournament on Caddo Lake, of weighing bass they did not catch. Wildlife and Fisheries cited them for gaming law violation. The evidence in this case is because anglers spoke up about suspicious activity. They were caught because anglers were vigilant and reported. Those involved know who they are and I want to say thank you. Tournament Directors, get a photo of these guys and don’t let them fish your events. Everyone is welcome to share this post to get the word out…

 

Read More: Local Anglers Cited for Cheating in Caddo Lake Bass Tournament | https://710keel.com/local-anglers-cited-for-cheating-in-caddo-lake-bass-tournament/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

[Captain Phil]

Some ten years ago our bass club, the Harris Chain Bassmasters, held an annual big bass tournament.  The winning fish was worth $2,000.   The winners were caught putting lead weighs in their fish.  Charges were filed. It took two years for the whole thing to play out.  The anglers were fined and permanently banned from fishing tournaments.  The best way to prevent this is to expose the thieves for what they are.  Thankfully, this type of activity is rare in our area. 

[DitchPanda]

Cheating or lying are two things I can't stand...maybe the most disgusting actions people can do. Throw in the fact that this was a benefit tourney...and for kids of all things. Some folks are just pathetic.

I remember we had a benefit at a local bar and grill to raise funds for somebody diagnosed with cancer struggling to pay medical bills. They raised thousands of dollars but somebody broke into the bar and stole it. Turned out the thief was a family member of the cancer patient.....Wow.

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, DitchPanda said:

Cheating or lying are two things I can't stand...maybe the most disgusting actions people can do. Throw in the fact that this was a benefit tourney...and for kids of all things. Some folks are just pathetic.

I remember we had a benefit at a local bar and grill to raise funds for somebody diagnosed with cancer struggling to pay medical bills. They raised thousands of dollars but somebody broke into the bar and stole it. Turned out the thief was a family member of the cancer patient.....Wow.

“The tie that binds” 

[TOXIC]

And to top it off, one of the cheaters was on either the local high school or college fishing team if I remember correctly.

[HaydenS]

I wonder what their suspicious activity was? 

[WVU-SCPA]

Sounds like someone not fishing the tournament passed them some fish or they had them stored somewhere?

 

Can't fathom walking to weigh in knowing you didn't catch the fish in your bag.  Must take a real dirt ball to try and pull it off.

[TnRiver46]

3 minutes ago, WVU-SCPA said:

Sounds like someone not fishing the tournament passed them some fish or they had them stored somewhere?

 

Can't fathom walking to weigh in knowing you didn't catch the fish in your bag.  Must take a real dirt ball to try and pull it off.

Ha! Never thought about that part. I would be a comedy act trying to pull that off and end up singing like a bird 

(like Carlton trying to pull one over on uncle Phil on fresh prince) 

[newbiedmv]

6 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

Some ten years ago our bass club, the Harris Chain Bassmasters, held an annual big bass tournament.  The winning fish was worth $2,000.   The winners were caught putting lead weighs in their fish.  Charges were filed. It took two years for the whole thing to play out.  The anglers were fined and permanently banned from fishing tournaments.  The best way to prevent this is to expose the thieves for what they are.  Thankfully, this type of activity is rare in our area. 

Isn't that close to a Mark Twain story about a lead frog...

[huZZah]

4 hours ago, TOXIC said:

And to top it off, one of the cheaters was on either the local high school or college fishing team if I remember correctly.

Just means he’s probably better at cheating. The pressure to succeed today is just ridiculous. Parents can’t deal so they can’t teach their kids to deal.  
 

Wouldn’t surprise me at all if the kid got home and mom and dad justified it to him.  Or encouraged him to do it. Or helped. I’ve had parents lie to my face more than the kids.  And they think they’re doing it for their children. 
 

It’s sad that they cheated on a fishing tournament. Lotta lives on the line here...I can see how it’s blurry...must win to save...oh yeah. 

[Captain Phil]

Back in the seventies, there was an attempt to compete with B.A.S.S. from an organization called the American Bass Fisherman.  It was based in Florida and they had their own slick magazine.  I fished many of their tournaments.  This outfit wanted to create bass heroes similar to what B.A.S.S. had with Bill Dance and Roland Martin.  Two brothers were selected and promoted.  They won many tournaments and were given a lot of space in the magazine.  All went well until they were caught rigging a tournament in Clermont.  The fish they brought to the scales did not come from the lakes we were fishing.  Criminal charges were brought.  The whole thing imploded which ended the organization.  

 

Cheating to make money is criminal.   Cheating to stroke your ego is "posing".   I enjoyed the competitive nature of tournament bass fishing.  If I had to cheat to win, I would be a pretender and I would know it.  

[SC53]

I remember that Phil.