MLF Bally Bet Stage Seven

[Choporoz]

It seems funny to me....most every place that I fish, you can come upon a crappie guy with 37 rods sticking out over the front and sides

[InfantryMP]

24 minutes ago, gimruis said:

MLF has issued a statement on the two-line violation.  Both Wheeler and Jones have been cited/fined by the DNR and will face no further disciplinary action.

 

ONAMIA, Minn. – Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Tournament Director Aaron Beshears issued the following statement today regarding the inadvertent Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fishing regulation violations at this week’s event at Mille Lacs Lake:

MLF Bass Pro Tour Rule No. 33 permits an angler to utilize a second line once per period. It was an oversight that this rule directly violated Minnesota DNR fishing regulations, and we did not properly communicate that to the anglers this week. Upon being made aware of the regulation, we immediately informed all Bass Pro Tour anglers in the competition that they were to immediately cease using two lines for the remainder of the event.

We contacted the Minnesota DNR, who clarified the violations, and we’re working closely with them to ensure that we’re in full alignment with state fish and game regulations.  

Bass Pro Tour anglers Jacob Wheeler and Alton Jones, Jr., have both received citations from the Minnesota DNR for violation of the two-line regulation. They have accepted responsibility, will pay their fines, and will face no further disciplinary action.

We apologize to the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota DNR, and the anglers and outdoorsmen and women of Minnesota, and we look forward to wrapping up our regular season in what has been a fantastic tournament for us here at Mille Lacs Lake.

I figured this would happen. Its a failure at the MLF leader level.  I wonder if the MLF will pay the fines for them?

6 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

It seems funny to me....most every place that I fish, you can come upon a crappie guy with 37 rods sticking out over the front and sides

 

I think it is for Walleye preservation is why they do this. At least that is what they are saying on the other forum as the lakes are great Walleye fisheries. 

[gim]

Just now, InfantryMP said:

I wonder if the MLF will pay the fines for them?

 

Could be.  A violation like that is somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 bucks.  They aren't repeat violators and they unknowingly (we think) violated the rule.

[ryanerb]

Wow, gotta hand it to wheeler for a come back, missed the cut by a few ounces, but a great run! 

Winds look just as 'fun' tomorrow haha

[GReb]

Jeopardizing MLF never coming back into the state of Minnesota for a couple of citations seems to be a dumb move. They should’ve just released a statement saying they are aware of the violations and are handling it. 

[12poundbass]

3 hours ago, InfantryMP said:

figured this would happen. Its a failure at the MLF leader level.  I wonder if the MLF will pay the fines for them

It states in the MLF rules that the anglers are responsible for knowing the laws in each state they compete in.

 

If I go fish in another state I don’t expect the DNR to greet me at the state line and teach me the laws. It’s my responsibility to know the law in each state I fish.

 

I’m guessing MLF didn’t know the law either, but ultimately it’s up to the angler to know them. 

[TnRiver46]

So how were they using two lines? Dropping something at a fish that’s following another hooked fish? 

[12poundbass]

6 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

So how were they using two lines? Dropping something at a fish that’s following another hooked fish? 

Pretty much.

[TnRiver46]

2 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

Pretty much.

I’ve never understood how/why people do that, I would lose a rod! I’ve tossed at followers many times when two or three of us were in the boat, I can rarely get them to hit. I think it works better in super clear water 

[T-Billy]

15 hours ago, GReb said:

Jeopardizing MLF never coming back into the state of Minnesota for a couple of citations seems to be a dumb move. They should’ve just released a statement saying they are aware of the violations and are handling it. 

They owned it and, corrected the situation instead of throwing their anglers under the bus. That's the right call IMO.

[InfantryMP]

9 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

So how were they using two lines? Dropping something at a fish that’s following another hooked fish? 

Randy Howell was using a double fluke rig. Also illegal.

15 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

It states in the MLF rules that the anglers are responsible for knowing the laws in each state they compete in.

 

If I go fish in another state I don’t expect the DNR to greet me at the state line and teach me the laws. It’s my responsibility to know the law in each state I fish.

 

I’m guessing MLF didn’t know the law either, but ultimately it’s up to the angler to know them. 

I 100% agree with you. 

 

MLF did not know about it, or forgot about it apparently. Easy fix though. Cite the anglers make the changes in MLF rules to those specific spots, and keep it moving. 

15 hours ago, GReb said:

Jeopardizing MLF never coming back into the state of Minnesota for a couple of citations seems to be a dumb move. They should’ve just released a statement saying they are aware of the violations and are handling it. 

I doubt it would be jeopardizing anything. I bet these tournaments do something decent for the week with the local economy. Also the advertisement of the lakes and area helps as well. 

[TnRiver46]

11 minutes ago, InfantryMP said:

Randy Howell was using a double fluke rig. Also illegal.

I’ve also banned myself from using that after my tangles 

[InfantryMP]

2 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve also banned myself from using that after my tangles 

 

I have never used the double rig. It is too complicated for a fella like me. My fingers and my mind to do not get along all the time when doing knots. 

 

That is why I stick with the tried and true ole fisherman knot (improved clinch) to tie on everything.

[Deleted account]

16 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

It states in the MLF rules that the anglers are responsible for knowing the laws in each state they compete in.

 

If I go fish in another state I don’t expect the DNR to greet me at the state line and teach me the laws. It’s my responsibility to know the law in each state I fish.

 

I’m guessing MLF didn’t know the law either, but ultimately it’s up to the angler to know them. 

Absolutely. Anything else is bending the rules. I'm surprised other anglers don't challenge the ruling. I know in the salt, you break a rule knowingly or unknowingly, and you can kiss the check bye bye.

[InfantryMP]

I wondered about the other anglers, and to see what they thought of everything. 

 

If there were DQ's....Wheeler would not be AOY this year. It would default to JLee or maybe someone else depending on the finish of this tournament. 

 

I think MLF is taking the blame thus not punishing any of the anglers. 

[Choporoz]

I wondered about other anglers, too.  But not so much what they thought, but why they didn't all know the rules beforehand.  I'd bet that some out there knew there were unique regs before launch.  

   I'm not suggesting that any of them have an obligation.....but by way of comparison, I am positive that any kayak tournament I've fished, be it local regional or national....I'm certain that anglers would have let each other know about local regs that might come into play

Everyone wants to win.  Anglers I respect don't want to win that way

[InfantryMP]

I would expect them to know to be honest. That is their chosen profession, and it just happens to be governed by local laws...just like getting their licenses, they should have researched. 

 

I think the majority of the guys in this tournament are honest brokers...They would not have made it this far if they were "cheaters".

 

Its just a weird situation, but I cannot blame MLF for not taking any further actions.

[WRB]

To be fare to the other contestants MLF should review the TV camera coverage and subtract the weight of any bass caught using 2 rods in the water violating MN regulations.

Normally you break local regulations you are DQ’d.

Tom

[InfantryMP]

I believe the only angler to catch one on a double rig was Randy Howell with the double fluke rig. 

[Deleted account]

59 minutes ago, WRB said:

To be fare to the other contestants MLF should review the TV camera coverage and subtract the weight of any bass caught using 2 rods in the water violating MN regulations.

Normally you break local regulations you are DQ’d.

Tom

Exactly. The right thing to do would be to DQ any angler involved, however the state of "professional bass fishing" as far as financials and popularity isn't exactly on solid ground, so they did the politically beneficial thing for the enterprise at the expense of integrity, I get it, it's a business, but it sets a bad precedence, and what do you do next time? These folks have been fishing in several states for years, and the rules have always been to follow local regulations, no excuse. 

[12poundbass]

So I think one of two things should’ve happened 

 

1: The weights for that day were zeroed for the at fault anglers

 

2: MLF goes through the footage (assuming everyone had a camera man) and catch logs and eliminate the weights for the fish that were caught on the second line

 

Honest mistake, ? happens, and not the crime of the century.

[Deleted account]

5 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Honest mistake,

How do we know that? Oh yeah, the perp said he didn't do it...

[ryanerb]

Anywayyyyys, Connell is putting on a clinic with some big fish today for the championship round... on the dropshot. Imagine that. It's a close race here in the end, lots of nice fish. Connell sure does a good job of making his bait not be seen much, is it just a basic Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Flat Worm?

[InfantryMP]

28 minutes ago, ryanerb said:

Anywayyyyys, Connell is putting on a clinic with some big fish today for the championship round... on the dropshot. Imagine that. It's a close race here in the end, lots of nice fish. Connell sure does a good job of making his bait not be seen much, is it just a basic Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Flat Worm?

 

It is a Googan Baits rattling ned on a drop shot hook actually. Neal wont go away easily!

[12poundbass]

40 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

How do we know that? Oh yeah, the perp said he didn't do it...

I’m going to give the benefit of the doubt to the professional angler who makes his living from fishing and cashing checks. I don’t buy that any of them knowingly fished two lines illegally. It’s possible, but unlikely in my opinion.