I Know I Did The Right Thing As A Co-Angler

[K_Mac]

SirSnook I think your view is representative of those who may feel that this was not worthy of causing a scandal or blemishing the reputation of a professional angler. My biggest reasons for disagreement is that to ignore the offer and not report it is also a violation of the rules, and may just pass the problem on to next co-angler.

Any question of integrity diminishes the credibility of the sport. I am not a proponent of mandatory sentencing, and that the penalties were fairly light means (IMO) either they felt there was not enough evidence to convict if pressed, or they wanted to send a message to Wellman and others that it was not a laughing matter. Based on Wellman's comments the latter seems most likely. How Wellman conducts himself now will determine how much this impacts his future.

[Doyle Bowen]

if he cheats he dosent need a career in bass fishing pull his sponsers ban him for life fine him all tournament money for the last 5 years let him get a job at the carnival ring toss

[tomustang]

turned them down but never jeopardized a person position, having some one get fired was something I could not live with

It's not your actions in the wrong though.

[SirSnookalot]

It's not your actions in the wrong though.

I'm not saying this co angler is wrong, I'm saying that I would have handled the situation differently. This was a simple error in judgement nothing more, true it should not have happened in the first place. When most people get stopped for speeding or running a red light and get off with a warning, they thank the police officer and consider themselves lucky. Wellman deserved a break IMO, I see this less serious than a routine traffic violation, hey no lives at risk.

"To err is human, to forgive divine."

[grimlin]

I'm not saying this co angler is wrong, I'm saying that I would have handled the situation differently. This was a simple error in judgement nothing more, true it should not have happened in the first place. When most people get stopped for speeding or running a red light and get off with a warning, they thank the police officer and consider themselves lucky. Wellman deserved a break IMO, I see this less serious than a routine traffic violation, hey no lives at risk.

"To err is human, to forgive divine."

If somebody stole money out of your business I very doubt you would just talk to him and not do anything about it.In a way if he's cheating in tournaments he's very well stealing the money he wins.

Now if you don't think that's serious enough....I can't see how you even ran a business successfully with Bernie Madoffs as workers since you say you don't punish or fire them for their actions.

I know you looking at it as "he said,he said" type deal.....even if he was joking,this matter isn't and wasn't even funny.You need to be careful what you say.You can say you gonna kill somebody and not intentionally do it and still end up in prison.Some things are not to joke about....It kinda shows the person he really is.

[Catt]

BRONZEBACK67, you did the right thing

The only thing I would have done different was as soon as the bow of his boat touched the dock I would have gone straight to Trip Weldon.

SirSnookalot, I qoute:

“Our system of tournament angling, pairing a professional angler with a co-angler or even another professional, has been tried and tested for decades,’’ said Trip Weldon, B.A.S.S. tournament director. “It’s a great system, as this instance proves. Our co-angler did the right thing by reporting it. He is to be commended. At this level, there isn’t room for questions on the integrity of our anglers. And there certainly isn’t room for suggestions or jokes that could do anything to break down that integrity. That is why this action was taken.”

[preach4bass]

I'm not saying this co angler is wrong, I'm saying that I would have handled the situation differently. This was a simple error in judgement nothing more, true it should not have happened in the first place. When most people get stopped for speeding or running a red light and get off with a warning, they thank the police officer and consider themselves lucky. Wellman deserved a break IMO, I see this less serious than a routine traffic violation, hey no lives at risk.

"To err is human, to forgive divine."

To forgive someone dosn't always mean to dismiss their actions with no consequences. I think Bronzeback did the right thing.

[J Francho]

If he said something this time, then chances are he's done it in the past. A polygraph would confirm or deny this. Why no polygraph, B.A.S.S.?

[Nitrofreak]

If he said something this time, then chances are he's done it in the past. A polygraph would confirm or deny this. Why no polygraph, B.A.S.S.?

Has there ever been one at this level?

[J Francho]

I have no idea. It's in their rules. They should use it.

Did you have intentions of cheating?

Have you cheated before?

Was your offer to purchase a fish from your co angler a joke?

have you ever made similar offers in the past?

[Nitrofreak]

I have no idea. It's in their rules. They should use it.

Did you have intentions of cheating?

Have you cheated before?

Was your offer to purchase a fish from your co angler a joke?

have you ever made similar offers in the past?

Answers:

No

No

Yes

No

Non truth

Non truth

Non truth

Non truth

Ok go ahead and keep fishing you did not damage the sport enough to hurt anything.

[K_Mac]

Our system of tournament angling, pairing a professional angler with a co-angler or even another professional, has been tried and tested for decades,’’ said Trip Weldon, B.A.S.S. tournament director. “It’s a great system, as this instance proves. Our co-angler did the right thing by reporting it. He is to be commended. At this level, there isn’t room for questions on the integrity of our anglers. And there certainly isn’t room for suggestions or jokes that could do anything to break down that integrity. That is why this action was taken.”

I think this is a reasonable position. What was done was proportional to the infraction, and sends a clear message IMO. The system is dependent on anglers policing themselves. It seems to work well.

I have read several articles on the accuracy of polygraphs. After reading some of the comments here I Googled, "lie detector accuracy" to see what might show up. There are pages of articles. A very high percentage of them seem to indicate "lie detecting" is an inaccurate "science" at best. I would not want my career or freedom dependent on such a device.

[J Francho]

In everything I've read on them, it's the cheating a polygraph that makes them suspect, not the other way around. The very fact that he said he did it tells me he wanted to cheat. If they didn't want their careers dependent on such a device, then they wouldn't have signed on under the rules.

I've been in the boat with a cheater. It ended with me not fishing a tournament for many years. No, I did not report it. I just left and never came back, thinking that "must just be the way it is." Had I been more mature, I would have reported it.

[Catt]

Robby Rose who was caught cheating during the 2009 Bud Light Trail Boss Big Bass Tournament and had been cheating for a couple years had passed every lie detector test given.

[J Francho]

What was done was proportional to the infraction, and sends a clear message IMO.

That issues like this will swept under the carpet? The initial headline was, "Fines Levied at Erie Contest." Not, "The winner of the Erie contest was fined, but still gets to fish the classic."

[K_Mac]

The very fact that he said he did it tells me he wanted to cheat.

It may also say that he knew he was wrong making a joke and accepted the consequences. He did not deny making inappropriate statements. My point is, the actions taken by BASS seem reasonable based on what we know. If others come forward or other evidence is presented then harsher sanctions will be imposed.

Your experience with cheating is unfortunate. Putting a young angler in that spot is despicable. With that said, you knew when you signed up reporting cheating was required and had you done so your opinion of the system may be different. It was a mistake on your part not to do so. I am not saying I would not have done the same thing you did. I've done plenty of things I would do differently if given the chance. I am saying that Bass sent a message to all who would cheat, and that is what they intended to do IMO.

The more I read on polygraphs the less trust I have in them. They may be allowed by the rules, but that they weren't used here seems to support my conclusion.

[J Francho]

I was 19, and I don't recall signing anything to enter, though maybe. I sure as heck didn't read the rules. I assume the BFL (then Redman) has cleaned up since.

[Mudwalker]

The only thing I would have done differently would have been to report him sooner. Good job in doing the right thing!!

[Nitrofreak]

Robby Rose who was caught cheating during the 2009 Bud Light Trail Boss Big Bass Tournament and had been cheating for a couple years had passed every lie detector test given.

That is why they are not used in our court systems.

[SirSnookalot]

I only said I would handled the situation differently. Just like the co angler I would not have allowed cheating to occur. Unlike the co angler I would have said nothing, not wanting to blacken Wellman's name. My personality would have taken the suggestion as joke and laughed along with Wellman.

BASS levied a very small penalty and still awarded 50k, could be they thought this was a trivial matter, after reading the article I did for sure. Since no cheating actually took place I would have not made an issue.

Wellman has to been convicted with out any hard evidence, only on a statement from one person. The apology came after the issue was put to rest, what else could Wellman do? I'm holding fast on my opinion, I'd no more tell than I would on someone going 5 mph over the speed limit.

[shootermcbob]

Regarding the lie detector testing accuracy, I worked at a retail outlet and had two "bookkeepers" who balanced the receipts every day.

One day all the cash from one register came up missing.

Three of us took a polygraph test, as only three of us were in the store at the time of the "crime".

Only 1 person was alone with the money yet she passed her polygraph.

I have no faith in them.

[Grey Wolf]

I just don't understand why you felt that you had to defend your decision to turn him in on a public forum. You must have felt you were justified or you wouldn't have done it. What does it matter what other people think ?

[Ratherbfishing]

I just don't understand why you felt that you had to defend your decision to turn him in on a public forum. You must have felt you were justified or you wouldn't have done it. What does it matter what other people think ?

I don't speak for Bronzeback 67 but if I were being called a "tool" and "snitch" I'd feel compelled to defend my position too.

IMO, these situations have to be treated seriously. Otherwise, the climate becomes one where anyone can suggest any sort of impropriety and then dodge any culpability by saying "I was only joking." In a major tournament where serious money is changing hands, there has to be some internal, self-regulating system in place. Otherwise, cheating would become the norm. Saying "I was merely joking" doesn't cut it.

[Bass XL]

I only said I would handled the situation differently. Just like the co angler I would not have allowed cheating to occur. Unlike the co angler I would have said nothing, not wanting to blacken Wellman's name. My personality would have taken the suggestion as joke and laughed along with Wellman.

BASS levied a very small penalty and still awarded 50k, could be they thought this was a trivial matter, after reading the article I did for sure. Since no cheating actually took place I would have not made an issue.

Wellman has to been convicted with out any hard evidence, only on a statement from one person. The apology came after the issue was put to rest, what else could Wellman do? I'm holding fast on my opinion, I'd no more tell than I would on someone going 5 mph over the speed limit.

Just so I follow you, you would not have said anything? I guess why a lot of people disagree with that action in this situation, is that you're letting an attempt to cheat get swept under the rug. I, for one, would NOT tolerate any kind of cheating or even attempted cheating in the sport that I love.

[BRONZEBACK67]

Just so I follow you, you would not have said anything? I guess why a lot of people disagree with that action in this situation, is that you're letting an attempt to cheat get swept under the rug. I, for one, would NOT tolerate any kind of cheating or even attempted cheating in the sport that I love.

Why hasn't B.A.S.S. done more with this? I told them I would pay for the polygraphs and they have done nothing.

Trip Weldon called me Saturday and asked me to get the email I sent Chris Bowes notarized. When I told him I would do it on Monday as there was nothing open, he said okay.

He then called me on Sunday and said not to bother.

It was then that I asked him why, if Nate was found guilty enough to be put on probation and fined wasn't he disqualified on day three?

He said he couldn't comment.

He is the main person who can and needs to comment.

I really think Nate made a horrible mistake and I wish it would have never happened. It did. He tried to cheat and now gets to fish the biggest tournament in bass fishing.

I know I said I wanted this to end,but the more that I hear about it (via the internet) and the more people I talk to,the fact that this guy is fishing the Classic really bothers me.B.A.S.S. is trying to let this die quietly without doing what is right. I am not going to let that happen