Something Fishy At Fishing Tournaments

Tall Tales Are Common Amongst Fisherman, But Some Can Land Them In Handcuffs

(CBS)  For as long have their have been fisherman, there have been fish tales.

Outrageous stories are part of country folklore, but the lies told on some lakes have led to felony charges, CBS News correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi reports.

At a tournament last month, officials in Missouri used surveillance video to catch a contestant hiding fish in this blind.

In Kentucky, these two were caught submerging bins full of Bass at a lake — then claiming they caught them at a charity tournament.

Why would someone cheat at fishing, of all things?

“Dollar bill, honey! Dollar bill, that’s all there is to it,” said Richard Predmore, organizes the Buddy Bass tournament in Bainbridge, Ga.

“When you cast for cash, it’s money! Some people think they can get away with it,” Predmore said.

After all they are only a few eyes watching, on big lakes, with big money at stake. Last year, pro fisherman took home more than $9 million in prize money.

But even at Predmore’s small tournament, amateurs — like Mike Webster — can net big prizes.

“You start getting up there, a $50,000 boat, $100,000 cash, like today you’re talking $2,000, but you work for a living, that’s a bunch of money,” Predmore said.

So, on the lake, they focus on bringing in a big bass.

On shore, they’re concentrating on catching cheaters. Every fisherman at this tournament is subject to a lie-detector test.

“We’d prosecute them, personally, I would,” Predmore said.

Everyone loves to talk about the “one that got away.”

But with the law lakeside, a cheating fisherman won’t be one of them.

[georgew1956]

THEY DO IT KNOWING THEY WILL GET CAUGHT ONE DAY
WELL THAT DAY IS HERE . TAKE THERE PERSONAL STUFF EVEN THE STUFF AT THEIR RESIDENCE AND LET THEM TRY TOO START LIFE OVER WITH THE C WORD OVER THEIR HEADS IT WON'T BE EASY.

[redstripe11]

Wow! When there is no honor left in fishing...I mean what else is there?

[centrop67]

Contrary to what this story states:

1) Cheating isn't a new thing, it's been going on since the first tournament.

2) Law enforcement may look for wildlife violators or arrest someone reported by the tournament director (doesn't happen often enough), BUT they are NOT actively looking for cheaters.

The teaser got me to Tivo this story and watch it, but it certainly wasn't worth the effort. And we all know how hard it is to Tivo something.