Alton Jones was disqualified today at the Lake Michigan Elite Series after his boat become lodged on a sandbar shortly after takeoff and he received assistance from his marshal, according to a report posted on Bassmaster.com this morning.
The Elite Series rules prohibit anglers from receiving help of any kind from their marshal. According to the report, Jones self-reported the matter to tournament director Trip Weldon and Weldon ruled he had to be DQ’d for the day.
“After various attempts to get the boat unstuck,” Weldon wrote in a blog entry for B.A.S.S.’s tournament coverage, “Jones, knowing the ramifications, had no choice but to get his Marshal to aid in getting the boat off the bar. He immediately notified BASS officials of his actions. His standing will reflect a zero today.”
Jones came into the day in 42nd place with 23-15 through 2 days. The penalty won’t have ramifications for Jones in terms of qualifying for next year’s Classic as he already had earned a berth by virtue of his win at the St. Johns River.
Jones passed along a photo of his boat (check it out on our Facebook page) hung up on the bar. He had to wade about a quarter-mile away from where his boat was lodged in order to find deeper water.
"I knew it was a risk to head that way, but I took it," he said. "Having that ticket to the Classic already allowed me to take a risk like that, though."
