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All Topics   May 2016
  • Tony Holzer of East Palestine, OH writes:

    RE: Balog on golden era – Hanselman's three in a row on different bodies of water has to be No.1, all the others are tied for 2nd.

  • Johnny McLean of Little Rock, AR writes:

    RE: Balog on golden era – Joe, good article. I believe as you said the '90s were the heyday of tournament fishing. IMO, Martens, Evers and Clunn have accomplished great things recently. but much of that can be attributed to the advances in technology and overall knowledge. For comparison's sake, I think the Hanselman feat tops all others in the last year.

    I wish B.A.S.S. and FLW would focus and put more light on aquatic resource issues such as invasive species (particularly the silver carp in the Lower Mississippi), disappearing wetlands, etc.

  • Mark Schuman of Lavaca, AR writes:

    Who cares if pros fish BFLs or ABAs or Bassmaster Opens or Costa Series or whatever "weekend angler" tournaments there might be? If fishing paid my bills, I would fish any and all tournaments I could. I hardly imagine they would drive cross country for a BFL event, however, if there was a tournament on the way to their FLW or Elite tourney, like there is a lot of times, what's wrong with fishing it?

  • Charlie Hartley of Grove City, OH writes:

    RE: TTBC – Matt Herren wins! I could not be happier for Matt. Long overdue win for a great person and a great angler. Go, Matt!

  • Rick Riles of Lafayette LA writes:

    Glad to see Mark Rose and Jacob Wheeler qualify for the Elites through the Opens. It's a no-brainier Wheeler will jump and Rose will be urged to by his sponsors and probably follow suit. Elites just get stronger.

  • Renot Toner of Harborcreek, Pa writes:

    RE: TTBC – Go Dave Lefebre!! We will be watching tomorrow!

  • Manny Lenau of Vass, N.C. writes:

    Why is the TTBC, being such a premier tournament, still weighing the fish on a scale that only measures by the quarter pound (every 4 ounces)? This is a stupid practice. Just give the marshals a scale that measures in ounces such as in MLF. Every year there are multiple ties in the standings. This year there was a 3-way tie for 7th after the first day.

    BassFan says: BassFan posed this question to TTBC officials and is awaiting an official response.

  • Alan Clowers of San Diego, CA writes:

    RE: Patek's improvement – Stephen is on a mishion and that boy came from a very good line of fishermen. His dad is considered one of the best in San Diego when he is on his game. I love to see these guys get out of San Diego and compete with he best In the world. If he doesn't have any mistakes or loss of fish in the next two events he will for sure make the Cup!

    I'm rooting for you, Stephen. Follow that dream and don't let anything get in he way. Good luck and keep showing the world how San Diego does it!

  • Russell Winneberger of Raleigh, NC writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – B.A.S.S. should have to show proof and have an outside arbratiotor hear the appeal. I hope Luke gets a fair shake! Sounds like sour grapes on B.A.S.S.' part.

  • Chris McCall of Brookeland, TX writes:

    Just to be clear, I was not fishing the FLW Tour last year when I qualified for the All-American. Thanks!

  • Danny Washburn of Roanoke, VA writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – You should know by now that B.A.S.S. is just like NASCAR. It's their game and you are not going to beat them.

  • Rob Lay of Southlake, TX writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – B.A.S.S. should maybe be asked how many polygraphs have been given each angler. How many has KVD been given, and I wonder if results were interpreted with a double standard?

  • Cliff Mundinger of Tallahassee, FL writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – Bottom line is B.A.S.S. has always been a bully. FLW since its inception has brought tournament bass fishing to its current level. Unfortunately for FLW, they do not have the television exposure of B.A.S.S.

    By far, FLW as a tournament oragazation is head and shoulders above its competitors. But with the exposure, it seems all the very best pros other than a select few opt for fishing the Elites.

  • Mark Melega of Rices Landing, PA writes:

    RE: McCall opts for All-Amerian – I don't like that a full-shirt sponsored "tour pro" such as Chris McCall should be dropping out of a Tour event at Kentucky Lake and jumping to Barkley Lake's All American tournament. The All-American anglers are mostly regular guys trying to have the event of their life while competing against other regular guys. Now we have big-time guys leaving the event that was made for them and trying to "mop up" on the little guys.

    I would think that FLW arranged the two events at the same place on the same dates to increase the excitement and turnout. Not to have the ... you know what, forget it! Why do I care? If FLW lets this happen without a care, then good for the "pro." Tear them little guys up!

  • Ken Crossley of Killen, AL writes:

    RE: McCall opts for All-American – I just wonder why is a FLW touring pro fishing the BFLs? I get the Costa Series, but come on; I thought BFL was for the weekend angler. That's the difference between FLW "pros" and B.A.S.S. pros.

    BassFan says: These occurrences happen on both sides. Just a few years ago, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jason Quinn attempted to qualify for the Classic via the now-defunct Weekend Series.

  • Matt Dilworth of Houston, TX writes:

    The DQ handed down by B.A.S.s. to Clausen is just wrong. Not saying Clausen did anything wrong, but what is more likely to give another Elite competitor an advantage? One, an indirect comment that a friend tells him where someone maybe fishing via Bassmaser Live; or two, when a person tells another competitor (Davy Hite) info about navigation that gives him a direct advantage over others?

    Hite was able to cut off several minutes of his run up the Cooper River, which gained him more fishing time and even perhaps first choice of fishing area. If I was fishing the tournament, I'd have protested more that Hite violated the no-info rule when gaining navigation info vs. hearsay fishing locations for Clausen.

  • Jared Rhode of Port Clinton, OH writes:

    RE: Clapper in Freshwater HOF – Congratulations to Steve Clapper on a well-deserved honor. Steve is not only a fantastic angler, but also a true professional. Great job!

  • Phillip Sexton of Clarksville, AR writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – B.A.S.S. shows its ignorance and that it is a weak sister organization. Just my opinion.

  • Shawn Carahan of Gilbert, AZ writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – So, what have we learned about random polygraph tests in bass fishing (or anywhere else)?

    1. They are an unreliable witch hunt designed to get a person to confess to a violation which the examiner has no other evidence of, and no one has reported.

    2. An evasive answer to any general question asked in a polygraph test cannot be acted on unless the person being examined later volunteers additional information.

    3. Volunteering any additional information to an examiner or tournament official that you do not perceive as a rule violation can be interpreted in many different ways, and can bring great personal harm.

  • Charlie Evans of Berea, KY writes:

    RE: Clapper in Freshwater HOF – Congratulations to Steve Clapper. I was privileged to hand Steve the winner's check in 2007 and to fish against him in several tournaments. No one is better on Erie than Steve; he epitomizes everything that is great about our sport.

  • Dick Hulcher of Jacksonville, FL writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – As a retired federal agent (criminal investigator), I have more than just familiarity of polygraph exams. I have yet to see anything written about the qualifications of the examiner used by B.A.S.S. The results of such an exam are based on the examiner's interpretation of the results and not the machine or tapes, and as a charter and lifetime member of B.A.S.S., I feel that the organization has highly probably done a good man wrong.

  • Steve Brown of Oakland, TN writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – The no-information rule is one of the most ridiculous and ambiguous rules in this sport. A pro stays with the local Joe at his lake house, the local Joe over dinner doesn't say something? The local Joe doesn't have baits strewn on the deck of his boat with a map?

    I say let them gather any information they want. Catching another man's fish doesn't always work, anyway. I say let the big dogs when they come into a local town to fish, put on their jerseys, pull their rigs up in front of the local tackle shop, sit on a stool and have at it. What better PR could B.A.S.S. ask for?

    Let's be honest, for 99.99 percent of people who fish, it's a pastime sport. The No. 1 fear of any bass tournament organization is cheating. As we know, there are much more blatant and obvious forms of cheating than hearing and maybe acting upon what somebody may say about how fishing happens to be on a certain body of water at a certain period of time. I believe B.A.S.S.' no-info rule is a facade to make them feel better that they (FLW also) try to enforce since the procedure of finding fish, whether in practice or derby day, is nearly impossible to police.

    Let 'em hold court around the lake, it doesn't always help. Little green fish move.

  • Hal McCullough of Pell City, AL writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – I fished B.A.S.S. in the '90s and early 2000s. If you don't realize that they all get help, you must believe in the Easter Bunny!

  • Jon Bondy of Windsor, ON writes:

    RE: Clapper in Freshwater HOF – Very deserving of this award. Congrats, Steve.

  • Mark Zona of Sturgis, MI writes:

    RE: Clapper in Freshwater HOF – Steve Clapper's fingerprint is on every smallmouth angler in some way, shape or form, even if you haven't met him. He's affected thousands of fishermen throughout the years. Well done, man – you deserve it! Thank you for all you've done.

  • Brian Waldman of Coatesville, IN writes:

    RE: Balog on Clausen DQ – "Will the asterisk now placed beside Clausen's name be viewed as a defamation of character?"

    Seriously? No way! Most any pro who fishes long enough will, sooner or later, get part of or all of his weight for an event disqualified for a variety of reasons and rule infractions. A look back at just some pros who've made the DQ list includes:

    • Kevin VanDam
    • Alton Jones
    • Randy Howell
    • Zell Rowland
    • Gerald Swindle
    • Michael Iaconelli
    • Roland Martin
    • Terry Segraves
    • Shaw Grigsby
    • Dean Rojas
    • Brandon Palaniuk
    • Dale Hightower
    • Kevin Hawk
    • Dan Morehead
    • Ish Monroe
    • Bobby Lane
    • Bill Lowen
    • Skeet Reese
    • Shin Fukae
    • David Fritts
    • Greg Pugh
    • Tommy Biffle
    • Joel Richardson
    • Greg Gutierrez
    • Edwin Evers
    • Guy Eaker
    • Stacey King
    • Gerry Jooste
    • Tim Horton
    • Mark Menendez
    • Dustin Wilks
    • David Walker
    • Bernie Schultz
    • Kyle Mabrey
    • Gabe Bolivar
    • Mickey Bruce
    • Rick Morris

    A lesson learned, an inevitable rule change, but life will go on.

  • Jim Liner of Pintlala, AL writes:

    Great story about T-H Marine. Bill Huntley has fished with us and is a first-class gentleman and a good fisherman.

  • Wayne Hooper of Eliot, ME writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – That decision was ridiculous! It's fishing, for God's sake. You could have KVD tell you where all the fish are and that doesn't mean you will catch them. Speed of retrieve, depth, time of day, fronts moving in, size of your bait – all factors in how many fish you catch.

    Many people standing on their docks tell me "There's a big fish under my dock." Would that disqualify me?

    Get serious and let's just go fish.

  • Barry Cushman of Windham, ME writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – As a polygraph examiner, researcher and instructor, I would exercise caution here as I am not aware of any studies validating a statement verification test such as described here. The typical approach, for which there is empirical support, would be to probe the relevant issue directly. I know of no way to estimate the likelihood of error for the test described here.

  • Allen Green of Santee, SC writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – This appears more about payback for Clausen from B.A.S.S. than an actual rules violation. How can B.A.S.S. explain Clausen's DQ from hearsay while Davey Hite boasted on camera he took the advice and help from a guy on the gas dock that morning on a shortcut to the Cooper River – advice that gave Hite an advantage over other anglers and violated the same rule Clausen was accused of.

  • Chuck Hose of Vancouver, WA writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – I have known Luke Clausen since 1996 and I can vouch that his character and integrity are beyond reproach. Luke is not only a great fisherman, but is courteous and considerate and wise in judgment. Being a manufacturer's rep, I chose to offer Luke a position on my pro staff because of these qualities.

    Perhaps the lie detector malfunctioned or the test was not properly administered. Also, as Luke stated, clarification and defining, exactly, what constitutes solicitation of information. I would not consider dock talk by the general public or someone saying you should do this or that as solicitation.

    Hold your head high, Luke, because I know you committed no injustice.

  • Robert Griswold of Lincolnton, NC writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – It's easy to pass a polygraph if you are prepared for both the polygraph and the questions. I hate it for Luke, but give great big praises to B.A.S.S. and its standing by its rules. FLW sure doesn't do that.

  • Chris Loftus of Chester, NY writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – Why did Davey Hite not get disqualified in S.C. for taking (and following) advice from the gas attendant on where to run his boat to get more fishing time?

    BassFan says: We posed that very question to a B.A.S.S. communications official this week. The response follows:

    "Rule C3 prohibits getting information 'about locating or catching fish.' Hite received information about navigation – not locating or catching fish.

  • William McDonaugh of Thorndale, PA writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – Was Luke DQ'd as a result of the polygraph test given by B.A.S.S.? If he was, and passed a second test, there is something wrong. Luke should be asked the same questions in two Polygraph exams, and the results should be compared. In America, a person is innocent until proven guilty. Two tests with different results have to be corrected.

  • Bobby Forster of Spokane, WA writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – It's simply bad science. As psychologist Leonard Saxe Ph.D. has argued (his research was cited by the U.S. Supreme Court under U.S. v Scheffer) that the idea we can detect a person's veracity by monitoring psychophysiological changes is more myth than reality. Please refer to the American Psychological Association's website and read "The Truth About Lie Detectors (aka Polygraph Tests)".

    B.A.S.S. and other organizations need to reevaluate the use of this process. There is no evidence that any pattern of physiological reactions is unique to deception. During one test he is supposedly lying ... the next he is not. Figure out another way, as there is to much at stake for these guys.

  • Tom Heintz of Waterloo, IL writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – I'm not sure how anybody can weigh in based on the very limited info we have. Second, three guys heard the story and upheld the DQ ... pretty convincing.

    This would be the deciding factor for me: Did he act on the information. I'm guessing he did in some way, but of course that's only a guess because B.A.S.S. hasn't said. So I will refrain from condemning B.A.S.S. or Luke and say I'm glad B.A.S.s. is putting effort into enforcing its rules!

  • Steve Streeter of Monroe, LA writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – A few years back I was in a bass tournament when the co-angler could fish. My friend and I went fishing with a couple of the pro boaters during official practice time. My pro stopped to buy fuel and as we were filling the boat up a local fisherman came up and started telling us where the big ones live. My pro just turned away and went inside to pay for fuel. The local said well, he'd never seen anyone so rude. I told him that he can't receive any info on the fishing on the lake that we are on. The local apologized and my pro said thank you.

    So Luke had other things he could have done if all that was said happened. I agree, Luke is a very fine young man and one very good fisherman.

  • Brian Hopwood of Short Gap, WV writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – I guess the disrespect toward B.A.S.S. and snubbing his nose at them in the past has come back to bite him in the butt. Go back to FLW with your attitude.

  • Mike Bingham of Florence, AL writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – While competing in a B.A.S.S. Top 100 on Lake Murray in the '90s, it was early on the first day of the 4-day event and I had caught only a few small fish so far. I met a local angler fishing down the bank toward me. He asked how I was doing in our tournament, I said it was tough so far. I didn't ask him how he was doing, but he quickly added that he had caught a bunch of fish on a Shad Rap that, of course, he then showed me. I explained that I couldn't receive any info and I had my co-angler as a witness. The worst part was I had a Shad Rap tied on, ready to go. But, after his sharing, trying to be helpful, I didn't dare throw it for fear of violating a rule.

    That sort of thing used to happen all the time when encountering friendly, well-meaning local anglers that weren't aware of B.A.S.S. rules. All you can do is try to explain and move on.

  • Remi DeMatteo of Poydras, LA writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – Interesting ... Nate Wellman (another suspected cheater) isn't given a polygraph, yet this situation warranted one? But ol' Nate didn't forsake B.A.S.S. for FLW after a Classic win. Clausen got had. Who said the days of the good ol' boys are gone ... payback.

    BassFan says: Clausen wasn't given the polygraph in the wake of any allegations against him. He was one of several anglers randomly selected for the exam, which is standard procedure at each event.

  • Tim Cody of Charleston, SC writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – After reading this, there has to be more that we haven't been told. No one can control information given to them unsolicited. Based what we've been told, the wrong decision was made.

  • Ed Stiefel of Mahwah, NJ writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – Trip Weldon has always been a stand-up guy with me and I dont see B.A.S.S. disqualifying Clausen because he won a past Classic then went to FLW. The way it sounds to me, Clausen was asking or listening to his non-competitor friend explain where the leader's fishing location was. Sounds like a rule violation to me.

  • David Mauldin of Round Rock, TX writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – Let this be an example for us on how not to run a tourmament. B.A.S.S. can ruin your tournament, year, or career. I had a similar experience with Trip Weldon. I backed him down because I caught him in three lies when accusing me of a tournament practice rules violation.

  • Edward Szuszalski of Hollister, MO writes:

    RE: Omori's Wheeler win – He discovered where the big ones were each morning and exploited it! He's very smart.

  • Skip Bennett of Texico, IL writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – I think B.A.S.S. better watch out. They could be setting themselves up for à lawsuit. B.A.S.S. is just making its point to to try to eliminate Luke so he doesn't win another Classic. I wonder if it's actually B.A.S.S. and/or a group of Elite anglers who are afraid of him.

    I use to think B.A.S.S. was a stand-up organization, but now I question it. I do hope Luke stays in their and rubs a win or too in their faces. Don't mess with Cool Hand Luke!

  • James Thao of Madison, WI writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – It sucks for Luke Causen. But as a "BassFan" and "bass head," I don't feel he should be embarrassed. He's a very great angler and seems like a very great person. There are to many funky rules in bass tournament fishing that need to be sorted out if people outside of the sport are to understand and appreciate it, let alone the ones competing in the sport. There are a lot of written and unwritten rules that even for the anglers competing in the sport itself are hard to understand or up to interpretation by each person. Keep your head up, bro!

  • Jim Settnek of Trafford, PA writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – Sometimes the investigations in bass fishing seem like English trials from the 16th century. No real witnesses, no real evidence and then they fall back on the ever so untrustworthy polygraph, which I sometimes feel like is slightly less reliable than tarot cards. That said, with all the cheating going on in fishing, there is need for strict rules and from the described panel that reviewed the case it seems like they are trying to keep the decision-makers fair and impartial. I think bass fishing has gained ground in this area but still has a long way to go.

  • Scott A. Cremeans of Albany, OH writes:

    RE: Prvonozac sits out Pickwick – Pictures on Facebook show Nick and his wife had a baby ... not 100 percent sure.

  • Paul Wallance of Cambridge City, IN writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – This isn't a knock on Clausen ... I don't know a thing about him. For a long time, pros and fans have been complaining about some pros getting and using info. Now everybody seems to be back-stepping? This is what upholding the no-information rule looks like.

    It's hard to prove it, but B.A.S.S. has to hand out some DQ's to get the attention of the pros using/breaking this rule. Hopefully no innocent pro gets DQ'd, but B.A.S.S. has to start enforcing this rule.

  • Frank Tennity of Honeoye, NY writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – I for one minute do not think that Clausen solicited information. Where Clausen failed was in not immediately informing Trip Weldon of what happened. By doing the polygraph test later, it gave the impression that he was hiding something.

  • Maynard Logan of Fort Wayne, IN writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – Regardless of the Clausen outcome, I feel it is wrong to not give Cliff Crochet his just rewards for fishing the final day and finishing higher than Luke. Do this or just let the Top 12 fish. This is not right – B.A.S.S. should do better!

  • David Mauldin of Round Rock, TX writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – This is yet another example of B.A.S.S. making up the rules and interpreting them as they go along. Who really believes this person was selected "at ramdom" out of the weign-in line for a lie detector test?

  • Dustin Daggett of Twin Lake, MI writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – Maybe B.A.S.S doesn't believe there is a legitimate reason why a polygraph isn't admissible in a court of law.

  • Chris Kinley of Lake Havasu City, AZ writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – I personally witnessed several Elite pros receive and solicit information during the Bassmaster Elite event here at Lake Havasu last year. When I approached other Elite competitors about it, they told me that it was not handled properly by B.A.S.S. They are aware of who the cheaters are, but they refuse to do anything about it, mainly because those who are known for cheating are B.A.S.S./Bass Pro Shops poster children. They don't want the bad press.

    Luke is an awesome fisherman and it could be retribution for winning the Classic, then not fishing the tour the following season a while back. My opinion, anyways.

  • Steve Henderson of Central, FL writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – Luke Clausen has been fishing tournaments too long to not know the rules. Although he may have been a victim of circumstances, it's unfortunate that he has to suffer by the way of a polygraph ... but rules are rules. I do not see him getting off with Trip Weldon, and personally I doubt it would have mattered anyway. Get 'em next time, Luke. Still got your back.

  • Bobby Myers of Tulsa, OK writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – Take a lawyer to the appeal! Luke was open with what occurred, now Trip and his petting boy Chuck, who should have been fired and run off years ago, will make an example of him since he left after winning a Classic! I knew this would happen, it's worse than a beauty shop!

    Good luck, Luke. Play tough and don't back down! Get your points!

  • Fred Haenisch of Astor, FL writes:

    RE: Balog on Bass Pro Shops – I would argue about the cheapest prices being found at Bass Pro. I do 90 percent of my tackle shopping at Walmart and the price of Trickworms there is close to $2 lower than Bass Pro. The huge expenses involved in the acquisition of everything necessary to open such enterprises usually equals higher prices.

    As to the point about M&A and it's effect on competition, there was and is the same opportunity for businesses to start and expand that there was when Sam Walton or Johnny Morris started their tiny enterprises.

  • Skip Bennett of Texico, IL writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – I've been fortunate to know Luke for several years, and he is as honest as they come. I did not hear about this until this morning and wondered about a comment that Mark Zona made on Bassmaster Live Sunday, about a guy in a boat near the eventual winner's boat, which was a kayak. Now I see it was a pun.

    Luke is a smart guy and would never take any information that would violate the rules. Maybe the B.A.S.S. guys fear his presence.

  • Joe Roberts of Clarksville, TN writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – This is an unjust rule. What if someone sitting at the next table was talking about the fishing conditions and looking at Luke? This doesn't make sense. What you guys need to be after is these guys fighting over a fishing area. With these electronics, just look and see if they fished there. You cause all of this by filming these guys in action – the public is watching.

  • Steve Lindner of Lake Havasu City, AZ writes:

    RE: Clausen DQ'd – I certainly understand why a rule like this may be necessary. However, it is absolutely impossible to prove the rule was broken without video or very credible witnesses. Even in bass fishing, you are innocent until PROVEN guilty. Sorry, this rule is not even close to being enforceable.

All Topics   May 2016

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