Times sure have changed here on Walton’s Mountain as bass tournaments have become a magnet for anglers looking to cash a check and make some money — illegally. In a few cases, it’s just about fulfilling their ego by being the so-called “best” angler on their designated lake. These are anglers who want you to think that they are the best fisherman on the planet! Let’s look at why cheating has become the preferred technique when it comes to tournament bass fishing.
If I had to speculate on why this has become a problem nationwide, I would first look at the money involved. Bass tournaments today are offering some big money and prize packages. For example, the Bob Sealy Big Bass Splash Series offers a prize package valued at over $100,000 for the biggest bass caught in their event. THAT’S $100,000 FOR JUST ONE FISH!
Numerous trails with both team and individual formats are offering anywhere from $10,000 up to $75,000 for first place. But the cheaters aren’t just showing up at these major tournaments, they’re also backing their boats in the water at your local Thursday night three-hour shootouts, which is really sad!
If it’s not for money, then what other reason would someone have to cheat? For guys that like to race, it’s the need for speed that’s the addiction, but for bass anglers fishing for a couple of hundred dollars on a three-hour event in the middle of the week, I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the reason for cheating.
Once you’ve been labeled a cheater in the bass tournament world, your reputation is gone, and everyone knows the kind of person you really are. It’s just not worth losing your pride and dignity.
Are the anglers who cheat just a sign of the times and the world we are living in? A lot of people today are looking for a shortcut and don’t want to earn their keep. Not many people want to work for what they have! They either want it given to them or they will cheat to get what they think they deserve.
I’ve even witnessed, first-hand, guys who thought it was OK to cheat in a golf tournament by turning in a score that wasn’t a true reflection of their actual score. This was all for a $200 gift card to the local pro shop! This seems to be especially prevalent with the younger generation, which is very disturbing to me.
Where have we gone wrong with raising kids that think it’s OK to cheat or stretch the truth, or is it a “social media” thing? Now we just might be onto something here, as both young and old people love to post their accomplishments on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. I guess they think it gives them instant fame and credibility on their ability to achieve success.
All I know is this — IT HAS TO STOP! People who fall into the “cheaters” category need to be taken out behind the woodshed and taught a lesson. I’m wondering when the day will come where tournament anglers take a page from the NASCAR guys and hold kangaroo courts in the parking lot.
The next thing that must happen is when these guys get caught cheating and committing fraud: judges need to come down harder on them with automatic jail time and a lifetime ban from fishing tournaments. All fishing tackle including rods and reels, their bass boat and any other equipment needs to be forfeited.
I’m personally tired of going to tournaments and asking the question, “did they cheat or was their catch legitimate?” The problem is that no event is immune from someone cheating. Even the Fishers of Men Tournament Trail, a Christian anglers tournament trail, has delt with this issue lately. How sad is it that someone thinks it’s OK to cheat in a Fishers of Men event!
Besides the issues with forward facing sonar, cheating is just another reason honest anglers are walking away from bass tournaments and refusing to pony up entry fees. They’re tired of worrying about that two percent of anglers out there that don’t want to play by the rules. Both issues are having a negative effect on tournament organizations trying to provide a reputable bass fishing trail.
Here’s my concern. One day something bad is going to happen to one of these low-life cheaters when they show up at an event and anglers decide to take matters into their own hands. I just hope they have good medical insurance!
‘Til next time, keep your boots dry and your hooks wet. And remember, if you must cheat to win, you’re really a loser!
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com
