Recent disqualifications on the Bassmaster Elite Series have me wondering whether the penalties match the crimes. Let’s dig in.

Matt Herren was first. A DQ at the St. Johns River was assessed due to a rule infraction “concerning the receipt of information to gain a competitive advantage from a non-competitor …”

Herren chose not to comment, and instead immediately quit the Elite Series to focus his efforts on the National Professional Fishing League. Perhaps this was long overdue in his eyes and the grass will be greener elsewhere.

Scott Martin filled the second DQ slot in as many events, when he was tossed out after “self-reporting a violation of Rule C3. 3 PRACTICE AND COMPETITION (ii) a. and j., concerning the receipt of information to gain a competitive advantage from a non-competitor. Martin admitted to having a conversation with a local angler about conditions at certain locations on Lake Okeechobee after the no information period was in effect …”

Juicy details for sure, but fairly easy to follow. Case closed, right?

For years, I’ve contemplated this tournament infraction and continue to be baffled by its obscurity. Even more, I wonder when the lawyers will step in, as the interpretation of the rule is completely vague.

Not a big enough impact to warrant legal action, you say? In the case of Martin, this could cost him millions.

First, let’s look at the meat of the rule (condensed):

“Anglers may participate in general discussions with fans and others about fishing, … however, they must not use such conversations to intentionally gain a competitive edge for fishing a future Elite event. To be safe in such situations, the angler should discontinue conversations that focus on specific locations or other information that might result in a competitive advantage …”

Okay, I get it. Anglers can chat fishing but, to be safe, they should stop the conversation when …

When?

Here’s Scott Martin’s official guilty plea:

“I was rigging my boat at the marina and was engaged in a conversation with an angler and simply did not shut it down quickly enough …”

Quickly enough for what? Where was the threshold crossed? When the angler mentioned that he caught bass on Lake Okeechobee?

Perhaps the general area was mentioned, or the lure. Did the time of day have relevance? Because it could; that’s information that could result in an advantage. How about the angler’s skill level or experience? The weather conditions? The settings on his depthfinder? What did the angler say, exactly, that crossed the line where Martin “should have” shut it down?

Should have, according to whom?

Now before we discount this as simply making trouble, consider that these guidelines and questions are the same that could – and would – be used to rebuff the ruling. Because the rule itself, you see, has little merit as written. It all comes down to interpretation. And interpretations don’t hold water.

Even further: if this ruling was correctly challenged in a court of law, would the disqualification hold? Could the the affected angler be eligible for damages? Very possibly.

And consider this: Scott Martin is one of the most successful anglers in professional bass fishing. That doesn’t make his case any more important than the others, but it does have implications in regard to damage caused by the ruling.

As a very celebrated, public figure, both Martin’s credibility and career will be impacted by this ruling. His chances at qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic – an event with the possibility of earning a guy like him millions in endorsement contracts – will be jeopardized. His television deals could be impacted, in addition to hefty sponsor incentives.

While I’m sure Scott Martin would rather not think about it, this ruling could very well cost him the difference between a healthy living and a one-in-a-million career, rivaling or exceeding his father's.

All based on the interpretation of a vague rule that, from what I see, has questionable weight.

You know, I’m no lawyer.

But it’s a good thing for B.A.S.S. that Scott Martin’s a nice guy.

(Joe Balog is the often-outspoken owner of Millennium Promotions, Inc., an agency operating in the fishing and hunting industries. A former Bassmaster Open and EverStart Championship winner, he's best known for his big-water innovations and hardcore fishing style. He's a popular seminar speaker, product designer and author, and is considered one of the most influential smallmouth fishermen of modern times.)