Scott Martin Self-DQ's at Lake Okeechobee

[Big Hands]

From the BASS website:

 

B.A.S.S. officials received a call on the morning of Feb. 26 from Elite Series pro Scott Martin, self-reporting a violation of Rule C3. 3 PRACTICE AND COMPETITION (ii) a. and j., concerning the receipt of information to gain a competitive advantage from a non-competitor. Martin admitted to having a conversation with a local angler about conditions at certain locations on Lake Okeechobee after the no information period was in effect. Due to the infraction, Martin has been disqualified from the 2025 Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite on Lake Okeechobee and has been assessed a fine.

 

“Unintentionally and inadvertently, I received information that violated the no information rule,” said Martin. “I was rigging my boat at the marina and was engaged in a conversation with an angler and simply did not shut it down quickly enough. This really hurts, as this lake is special to me and I was really looking forward to the event. That said, the integrity of our sport is paramount, and I have to deal with the consequences. This is a situation that can happen to any angler in the Elite field and in today’s world, we have to be vigilant and simply do things differently.”

[BigAngus752]

Solid guy.  Try to find that in the NBA.  

[Mike L]

10 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

Solid guy.  Try to find that in the NBA.  

Or most any other place 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[woolleyfooley]

Good for him. He has integrity. 

[flyfisher]

On 2/26/2025 at 8:06 PM, BigAngus752 said:

Solid guy.  Try to find that in the NBA.  

There are lots of them like LeBron James for starters and lots in other sports too.  Now what would be impressive is to find that level of integrity in our elected officials which these days is sorely lacking.

[F14A-B]

How’s the water look? That’s what Martin asked the guy.. that’s the violation. These people approached him. 

[Chris Cavanaugh]

Make him start an hour late or dock him 5 pounds. What's next, so called fans intentionally giving anglers info and recording it to see what happens? Or going after guys they don't like .

[Ski]

Based on what I know of the situation, which is just what I have read and listened to from podcasts, and although being in violation of the way this rule reads, I just do not think that was the "intent" of said rule.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/935705555310265

[FryDog62]

Here’s the part I don’t get - he self reports the violation and he not only gets DQ’d - but did I hear right that he also got fined? I can’t see how they could fine him unless there is more to the story…

[TnRiver46]

Apparently it happened 3 weeks ago but only came to light the day before the tourney ? Seems odd 

[detroit1]

22 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Apparently it happened 3 weeks ago but only came to light the day before the tourney ? Seems odd 

Info from 3 weeks ago has nothing to do with fishing yesterday. (as far as fishing goes, probably more so in fla.)

[Mike L]

38 minutes ago, detroit1 said:

Info from 3 weeks ago has nothing to do with fishing yesterday. (as far as fishing goes, probably more so in fla.)

A this time of the year it more than likely could if the intent is to find untouched sprayed areas.
I’m sure if he really asked “how’s the water” that was his intent.

Also, if males are running in clearer water it would be beneficial to know also if you intend to sight fish beds. 
(that’s one of my biggest indicators there)

 

But, 3 weeks is a long time and the way that lake changes from month to month, week to week, which he knows more than most and knowing him as I do it wasn’t to gain an edge. 

Just conversation I’m sure

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Tennessee Boy]

If you get called for holding in football you get a penalty.  You can't say you shouldn't be penalized because the hold didn't change the outcome of the play.  The rules should be enforced, even the dumb ones.

 

I don't like the rule about soliciting info because I think it penalizes the honest anglers and I think there are many that are less than honest.  KVD was talking about rule violators on a podcast a while back.  He talked about one MLF tournament where on the first day everyone in group A went one direction except for one angler that went the other direction.  That guy did very well and the next day a bunch of the group B anglers went where he went.  It suggested that they were watching the coverage from day one which was against the rules but there was no way to prove it.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Can you imagine how many anglers have been in the same situation as Martin and not self reported.....and then never had to take a poly, or when taking one passed it because they had no idea they even broke the no-info rule when Bubba at the gas station said they're hammering poppers in pockets.  

 

I'm fine with the outcome, and I've got even more respect for Martin.   

 

It does really suck not to see Martin fish this event, his win last year at the Open was perhaps the most impressive win I've ever seen in pro fishing.   The way he caught them was just next level.  

[Maverick2017]

Good on him to self-report but man, the action taken to DQ and fine simply does not match the breach.

 

And honestly, that’s such a stretch of a violation. 
 

These rules really need a refresh.

[Team9nine]

Bassmaster is a joke - Actually, most all of professional bass angling has become one. Pretty sad state of affairs (IMHO).

[F14A-B]

3 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Bassmaster is a joke - Actually, most all of professional bass angling has become one. Pretty sad state of affairs (IMHO).

Yes it truly is. I guess everything comes to an end. No worries really, there are a lot of bassmasters on this site. A lot of guys with very sharp technical skills..

[Skunkmaster-k]

I’m going to DQ myself from this conversation because I don’t know anything about it and want to be honest. 

[Tennessee Boy]

12 minutes ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

I’m going to DQ myself from this conversation because I don’t know anything about it and want to be honest. 

You'll need to get with Glenn and arrange to pay the fine.  😆

[gim]

1 hour ago, Maverick2017 said:

These rules really need a refresh.

 

This is the solution.

 

But until it's adopted and changed, rules are there to be enforced.  I also think its extreme, but that's what's on the books.

 

I enforce rules for a living.  It's a pure black and white thing to me.  Very little subjectivity involved.  It's either followed or it's not.  If you think it's unfair, change the rules then.

 

I respect him for calling his own number.  Most do not have those kind of high morals.  Especially for an event on his "home waters."

[F14A-B]

6 hours ago, Ski said:

Based on what I know of the situation, which is just what I have read and listened to from podcasts, and although being in violation of the way this rule reads, I just do not think that was the "intent" of said rule.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/935705555310265

Dude, that’s a beast of a fish on your profile, care to give the specs on her? 

33 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

You'll need to get with Glenn and arrange to pay the fine.  😆

I can tell you first hand, it’s a permanent warning point 🤪🤪

[bowhunter63]

Unreal , Wonder if it would be the same for other guys .

[Maverick2017]

Question. If a competitive angler reads these forums (such as the Fishing Reports topic), shouldn’t they then technically be subjected to the same decision to self report and resulting reinforcement?

[JHoss]

12 minutes ago, Maverick2017 said:

Question. If a competitive angler reads these forums (such as the Fishing Reports topic), shouldn’t they then technically be subjected to the same decision to self report and resulting reinforcement?

No, this info is completely legal because its publicly accessible so everyone has fair access. If a pro came on here and messaged you asking for info, that would be a violation because it's not public. 

 

ETA: Technically, someone could have a public domain that only they and some local guides know about. The guides could post waypoints or intel and it's technically legal to use because the info is publicly available online. The intent is there to circumvent the rules, but no actual rules were broken. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Team9nine said:

Bassmaster is a joke - Actually, most all of professional bass angling has become one. Pretty sad state of affairs (IMHO).

NPFL is looking better every day. I've listened to a few interviews and podcasts with Brad Fuller, their TD. Seems like he's doing a better job than most at addressing these major issues, and is the only one who's consistently transparent about it. 

[scaleface]

Someone mentioned on the Matt Herren thread  that another angler was being investigated and possibly disqualified for the Okeechobee event . Then Scott self reports himself a day before the event on  a conversation that happened a few weeks back.  I think theres more to the story.